American Woodmark vs. KraftMaid: Which Brand Offers the Best Value?

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It can be hard to find high-quality cabinets that are also cheap when you are remodeling your kitchen or building a new home. Folks all over the United States often choose between the well-known names American Woodmark and KraftMaid for their kitchen cabinets. There are stylish and long-lasting choices from both at different price points to fit different budgets. But you need to look at more than just the price tags to find the brand that gives you the best total value. Some other things you should think about when choosing between American Woodmark and KraftMaid are how they are built, how customizable they are, and their guarantees. Putting these important features next to each other will help you be sure that the cabinets from that brand will meet your needs and fit your space’s goals. If you know what each brand has to offer, you can buy the best cabinets for your home.

Overview of American Woodmark and KraftMaid

One of the best brands of kitchen cabinets to look at is American Woodmark. Another great brand is KraftMaid. Both businesses make high-quality cabinets that last a long time.

using current methods for making things out of wood. However, you should know that their product lines, prices, and availability are not all the same. This will help you choose which name is the best deal for your needs.

Product Selection

A variety of wood species, including oak, maple, cherry, and hickory, are available for American Woodmark’s stock, semi-custom, and completely bespoke cabinet choices. To accommodate most kitchen designs, their product line offers a variety of styles, from conventional to modern. Additionally, KraftMaid offers stock, semi-custom, and bespoke cabinets with a wide range of door styles and finishes in a number of wood types. Although KraftMaid could have a somewhat wider assortment, both manufacturers ought to provide plenty of options for a standard kitchen renovation.

Pricing

In terms of pricing, American Woodmark and KraftMaid are fairly comparable for stock and semi-custom cabinets. American Woodmark’s custom cabinetry may be slightly cheaper, especially if you want high-quality wood types. KraftMaid custom cabinets tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum. For budget-friendly projects, American Woodmark could offer better value. For larger, more high-end kitchens where price is less of a concern, either brand would be an excellent choice.

Availability

Both businesses offer kitchen and bathroom showrooms, dealers, and design centers all throughout the United States and Canada, in addition to home improvement retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s. Because American Woodmark could have a wider network of dealers, it might be more accessible and convenient. Nonetheless, the majority of householders ought to have little trouble locating and acquiring either brand.

In conclusion, even though KraftMaid and American Woodmark are quite comparable, American Woodmark could be a little better deal if you’re on a tight budget because of its bespoke cabinetry and perhaps cheaper pricing points. However, using any of these respectable brands is a no-brainer. Which is the best option for your kitchen should ultimately depend on the particular designs, wood kinds, and costs that suit your demands.

American Wordmark’s Key Features and Benefits

American Woodmark is one of the largest cabinet manufacturers in the U.S. and has been in business since 1980. They produce high-quality, affordable kitchen and bath cabinets. Some of their key features and benefits include:

Superior Construction

American Woodmark uses high-grade materials and precision engineering to create cabinets that are built to last. Their box construction is made of sturdy 3/4” wood panels and reinforced with wood or metal corner blocks for durability. Drawers feature dovetail joinery, full-extension under-mount glides, and a laminated bottom for smooth operation and years of use.

Stylish and Functional Design

American Woodmark offers a wide range of door styles, finishes, and storage solutions to suit any decor. From shaker doors to inset panels to glass fronts, they have options for every taste. Pull-out trays, lazy Susans, drawer dividers, and other organizational accessories make their cabinets highly functional.

Affordable Pricing

As one of the largest manufacturers, American Woodmark is able to keep costs down while maintaining high quality. They frequently run sales and promotions offering up to 50% off list pricing. They also have a value line called Timberlake that provides solid wood cabinets at an even lower price point. American Woodmark’s competitive pricing makes them an excellent value.

Customer Service

American Woodmark aims to provide the best customer experience. They have design specialists available to provide free layouts and quotes. Their website also offers an easy-to-use design tool so you can virtually remodel your own kitchen. Once you place an order, their cabinets are delivered in just 2 to 3 weeks. American Woodmark also has a lifetime limited warranty and solid customer reviews, confirming their dedication to service.

American Woodmark Cabinets Check Price on Amazon

In summary, American Woodmark cabinets offer superior quality, stylish designs, affordable pricing, and great customer service. They are an excellent, value-packed choice for any kitchen remodel.

KraftMaid’s Key Features and Benefits

KraftMaid is known for producing high-quality cabinetry with useful features at affordable price points. Some of the brand’s key attributes that provide value to homeowners include:

• • Durable construction. KraftMaid uses sturdy materials like plywood boxes and solid wood doors and drawers. Their cabinet boxes are also reinforced for stability. These well-built cabinets are designed to last for many years with minimal wear and tear.

• • Stylish and on-trend. KraftMaid releases new collections regularly to keep up with the latest kitchen and bath trends. They offer styles from traditional to contemporary to suit any home décor. Popular current options include gray and white cabinets as well as wood tones with visible grain patterns.

• • Convenient storage solutions. KraftMaid designs their cabinets to maximize storage space with pull-out trays, lazy Susans, drawer dividers, and other organizational accessories. These clever add-ons make it easy to keep items neat, tidy, and within easy reach.

• • Affordable pricing. Although KraftMaid is positioned as a mid-range brand, its cabinets are very competitively priced. They frequently run sales and promotions to provide even greater value to budget-conscious consumers. KraftMaid is able to keep costs lower due to its large-scale manufacturing capabilities and by sourcing materials efficiently.

• Customization options. KraftMaid allows homeowners to customize their cabinets to suit their needs and tastes. They offer modifications like different door and drawer front styles, wood and finish types, molding and hardware selections, and size changes. This flexibility provides an affordable, semi-custom solution.
• KraftMaid Cabinets Check Price on Amazon

In summary, KraftMaid delivers a lot of useful features, storage solutions, style choices, and customization opportunities at reasonable price points. For homeowners wanting high-quality, affordable cabinets, KraftMaid represents an excellent value proposition. Their durable, well-designed, and versatile cabinetry provides functionality and good looks without breaking the bank.

Comparing Quality and Durability

When determining which cabinet brand offers the best value, quality and durability are two of the most important factors to consider. Both American Woodmark and KraftMaid are reputable brands that produce high-quality cabinetry, but there are some differences to note in their construction and materials.

Cabinet Boxes

The cabinet box is the foundation that supports the cabinet. American Woodmark uses furniture-grade plywood for the cabinet boxes in most of their product lines, which is a durable and moisture-resistant material. KraftMaid also uses plywood in their mid-level and premium cabinet lines but uses medium-density fiberboard (MDF) in their more affordable options. MDF does not withstand heat and moisture as well as plywood.

• • Plywood cabinet boxes from American Woodmark and Kraftmaid’s premium lines will generally last longer and maintain their shape better than MDF boxes.

Door and Drawer Fronts

Doors and drawer fronts receive the most use and abuse, so their construction is important. American Woodmark uses solid hardwood or veneered plywood for most of their door and drawer fronts, with options for painted or stained wood species like maple, oak, and hickory. KraftMaid also offers wood doors and drawer fronts in some product lines, but their lower-priced cabinets use vinyl or laminate over MDF.

Wood doors and drawer fronts from American Woodmark and Kraftmaid’s mid-level and premium cabinetry will dent, scratch, and stain more easily than laminate, but can often be repaired or refinished. Laminate doors cannot be repaired or refinished as easily.

Hardware

High-quality hardware enhances both function and style. American Woodmark includes brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze hardware in many of its product lines, with optional upgrades to more premium hardware. KraftMaid also offers several hardware styles and finishes, but their standard hardware is more basic. Upgraded hardware can significantly impact the overall cost.

In summary, while both brands produce attractive, well-designed cabinetry, American Woodmark’s use of high-quality materials and construction in more of their product lines means their cabinets may have a slight edge in quality and durability if budget allows. For the best value, look for solid wood doors, plywood boxes, and quality hardware. With proper care and maintenance, these cabinet components are more likely to withstand the test of time.

Styles and Design Options Comparison

When it comes to styles and design options, American Woodmark and KraftMaid offer comparable selections to suit most tastes. However, there are some key differences in their offerings that could impact your choice.

Cabinet Lines

Both brands provide multiple cabinet lines at different price points, from budget-friendly to high-end premium collections. American Woodmark is known for its Timberlake and Shenandoah lines, which focus on rustic and traditional styling. KraftMaid markets lines like Aspire, Pinnacle, and Centennial that span contemporary and classic looks. KraftMaid may have a slight edge with over 50 cabinet lines to choose from.

Wood Species

You’ll find many of the same wood species with either brand, such as oak, maple, cherry, and hickory. However, KraftMaid also offers bamboo, rustic alder, and lyptus, an eco-friendly hardwood. American Woodmark provides rustic pine and reclaimed wood options as well as painted finishes. It comes down to which wood types and distressed or painted looks you prefer.

Storage Solutions

When it comes to storage-maximizing features, KraftMaid pulls ahead. Their cabinet lines provide innovative space-saving options like corner cabinet lazy Susans, pull-out trays, tilt-out hampers, and sliding shelves. American Woodmark does offer some similar storage accessories, but not quite as many specialized options as KraftMaid.

Customization

Both American Woodmark and KraftMaid allow for the customization of cabinetry to suit your kitchen’s unique layout and dimensions. However, KraftMaid may have an advantage here as they provide made-to-order cabinets with almost limitless options for sizing, wood types, door styles, hardware, and finishes. American Woodmark does focus on customization as well, but not quite to the degree that KraftMaid does.

In summary, while American Woodmark and KraftMaid are closely matched in many areas like price point, wood selection, and storage features, KraftMaid appears to have a slight upper hand with their vast selection of cabinet lines, storage solutions, and customization options. For maximum flexibility in design, KraftMaid could be the brand that offers the best overall value.

Cost and Pricing Comparison

When comparing kitchen cabinet brands, cost and pricing are major factors to consider. Both American Woodmark and KraftMaid offer cabinets at varying price points to suit any budget.

American Woodmark

American Woodmark is a mid-range to high-end cabinet brand. Their stock cabinets, ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets, and semi-custom cabinet lines span a range of $50 to $500 per linear foot. Their custom cabinetry can cost $500 or more per linear foot. In general, you can expect to pay:

• • $3,000 to $10,000 for a small kitchen (less than 150 square feet)

• • $10,000 to $20,000 for a mid-sized kitchen (150 to 350 square feet)

• • $20,000 to $40,000 or more for a large kitchen (over 350 square feet)

American Woodmark frequently runs sales and promotions offering 10 to 30 percent off list prices. They also regularly offer additional discounts for kitchen designers, contractors, and builders.

KraftMaid

KraftMaid is also a mid-range to high-end cabinet brand, with products ranging from $50 to $500+ per linear foot. KraftMaid’s stock, RTA, and semi-custom lines are generally a bit more affordable than American Woodmark. However, their custom cabinetry can also cost $500 or more per linear foot. You can anticipate paying:

• • $2,000 to $8,000 for a small KraftMaid kitchen

• • $8,000 to $15,000 for a mid-sized KraftMaid kitchen

• • $15,000 to $30,000 or more for a large KraftMaid kitchen

Like American Woodmark, KraftMaid often has sales with savings of 10 to 30 percent. Also, kitchen planners, workers, and builders can save more money with them.

Both American Woodmark and KraftMaid make high-quality cabinets, but KraftMaid’s prices are usually a little cheaper overall, especially for their stock and semi-custom lines. For handmade cabinets, though, the prices of the two names may be about the same. No matter what brand you choose, the price of your kitchen cabinets will depend on the materials, styles, and choices you make.

Availability and Lead Times

When choosing between American Woodmark and KraftMaid cabinetry, an important factor to consider is the availability and lead times for your selected products.

American Woodmark offers stock, semi-custom, and fully custom cabinetry options with varying lead times:

• • Stock cabinets are pre-built and ready to ship within 3 to 5 business days. These provide limited style and size options but quick delivery.

• • Semi-custom cabinets provide more style, wood, and finish choices with lead times of 3 to 6 weeks. Sizes and some modifications are available.

• • Fully custom cabinets are built to your exact specifications but have longer lead times of 6 to 12 weeks. All options are open to customization.

In comparison, KraftMaid also provides stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets with similar lead times:

• • Stock cabinets are ready to ship within a week. Options are more limited but fulfill basic needs.

• • Semi-custom lead times are 4 to 8 weeks. More choices are available while still constraining some sizes and styles.

• • Custom cabinet lead times are 8 to 12 weeks. All specifications can be customized to your needs and desires.

In summary, if time is of the essence, stock cabinets from either brand will suit your needs well with minimal lead times. However, for more style and size options with moderate wait times, semi-custom cabinets are a good middle ground. For a perfect customized kitchen with maximum choices, full custom cabinets will achieve your goals despite the longer lead times required. By planning ahead and understanding these timelines, you can choose cabinetry that balances your needs, budget, and schedule.

Warranties and Customer Service

When considering American Woodmark vs. KraftMaid, an important factor to weigh is the warranties and customer service offered by each brand. Both companies provide limited lifetime warranties on their cabinetry, as well as 1-year warranties on any components like hardware or accessories. However, there are some key differences to note:

Coverage

American Woodmark’s lifetime limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for as long as you own the cabinets. KraftMaid’s warranty is more restrictive, only covering up to 5 years after the date of purchase. Both warranties require proper installation and maintenance according to the companies’ guidelines.

Exclusions

There are certain exclusions common to both warranties, such as normal wear and tear, misuse or abuse, extreme heat or humidity, and natural variations in wood grain or color. However, KraftMaid’s warranty also specifically excludes coverage for cabinets installed in mobile homes, outdoors, or in recreational vehicles. American Woodmark does not have these additional exclusions.

Claims Process

If you need to make a guarantee claim, both companies have similar steps. You need to call them personally, describe the problem, send photos, and show proof of purchase. It’s supposed to take 3 to 5 working days for American Woodmark to handle cases, but KraftMaid’s website only says they will reply “promptly.” Repair or replacement times can change based on things like how quickly new parts are available.

Customer Service

In reviews, American Woodmark’s customer service gets better marks. Customers say they get answers faster, get more helpful help, and are ready to stand behind their products. More mixed reviews come in for KraftMaid, with some customers saying it was hard to get problems fixed.

The guarantees and customer service of these two well-known cabinet names can help you decide which one to buy. American Woodmark seems to have a small edge because their coverage is more complete, they handle cases faster, and their customer service is better. You can still choose KraftMaid, though, and the changes might not be worth the money saved for some. In the end, you have to think about what your wants and income are and what the pros and cons are.

Which Brand Offers Better Overall Value? FAQs

When determining which brand offers the better overall value between American Woodmark and KraftMaid, several factors should be considered:

Pricing

American Woodmark is typically 10-15% less expensive than comparable cabinetry from KraftMaid. They are able to offer lower prices due in part to their larger manufacturing scale and by producing more standardized cabinet sizes and styles. KraftMaid does provide a wider range of customization options, but at a higher cost. For budget-conscious homeowners, American Woodmark may have an advantage when it comes to affordability.

Quality

Both brands produce high-quality, durable cabinetry constructed from wood, wood veneers, and laminates. American Woodmark uses materials that are slightly lower in cost, such as oak, hickory, and laminate. KraftMaid offers more premium wood options like maple, cherry, and alder. KraftMaid cabinet boxes and doors also tend to be heavier and thicker, indicating more robust construction. So for homeowners looking for the highest quality and most premium materials, KraftMaid would likely be the better choice.

Selection

KraftMaid offers a larger selection of cabinet styles, wood types, stains, and hardware. They frequently release new collections showcasing the latest design trends. American Woodmark has a more limited selection focused on traditional and contemporary styles. KraftMaid would probably appeal more to homeowners wanting a wide range of options to achieve a custom look. American Woodmark may suit those with simpler tastes or those looking to save time by choosing from fewer choices.

Warranty

Both brands provide similar warranties on their cabinetry, including limited lifetime warranties on cabinet boxes and doors. This indicates that either brand should provide many years of reliable use. There is no clear advantage for either brand when it comes to warranty coverage.

In summary, while American Woodmark typically offers lower pricing and KraftMaid provides higher quality and more selection, both brands produce stylish, well-made cabinetry backed by solid warranties. The brand that offers the best value for you will depend on which factors are most important for your needs and budget.

Conclusion

With this comprehensive comparison of American Woodmark versus KraftMaid cabinetry’s benefits and drawbacks, you can decide which brand will provide you with the most value for your remodeling money. Although KraftMaid goods may save you more money upfront if cost is your major concern, American Woodmark products are rated better for quality, stylistic choices, and customer service. Take your time and consider all the things that are most important to you before making a big purchase. Get many quotes from several merchants, visit showrooms to see the cabinets in person, and don’t forget about extra expenses for hardware and installation. You may enjoy the outcome of your selection for many years to come if you make an educated one. Your concept may become a reality, and your house can be completely transformed with more accessible and reasonably priced cabinets than before.

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