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As you embark on your kitchen renovation, selecting new cabinets is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The cabinets you choose will shape the look and style of your space for years to come. Two of the leading cabinet brands available today are Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid. Both offer attractive, high-quality cabinetry with a wide range of door styles, wood species, and price points to suit any budget. However, there are some key differences between the brands that you should consider based on your needs and priorities. This article provides an in-depth comparison of Shenandoah Cabinets vs KraftMaid so you can determine which brand is the best fit for your kitchen renovation. With the right information in hand, you’ll be well on your way to finding cabinetry you’ll love living with for life.
About Shenandoah Cabinets
Shenandoah Cabinets are manufactured in Virginia and offer high-quality, affordable kitchen cabinets. They produce both stock and custom cabinetry in a variety of wood species and finishes.
Variety of Styles
Shenandoah Cabinets offers everything from traditional to contemporary styles. Their Hamilton door style is a popular Shaker-inspired design, while the Richmond door style has an ornate, decorative profile suited for traditional kitchens. They also offer glazed, distressed, and full overlay styles for different looks. Whatever your design aesthetic, Shenandoah likely has options to match.
Durable Construction
Shenandoah Cabinets are well-made using high-quality materials and construction methods. Their cabinets feature solid wood doors and face frames, dovetail joinery on the drawers, and durable finishes like Thermofoil or high-gloss lacquer. These details mean Shenandoah Cabinets will last for years while retaining their beauty.
Customization Options
While Shenandoah does offer stock cabinets, they also provide semi-custom full-custom options. Their custom program allows you to modify cabinet sizes, add accessories like spice racks or tray dividers, choose from more door styles and wood species, and select special finishes. Custom Shenandoah Cabinets provide an easy, affordable way to get a custom look without the custom price tag.
In summary, Shenandoah Cabinets offer stylish, well-built kitchen cabinetry at a range of price points. From stock cabinets to full custom, they have high-quality options to suit any kitchen renovation budget. Shenandoah Cabinets are an excellent choice if you’re looking for beautiful, durable, and affordable kitchen cabinets.
About KraftMaid Cabinets
As a leading cabinet brand, KraftMaid offers high-quality, stylish cabinets for your kitchen. KraftMaid is known for a wide range of wood species, stains, and paints to choose from. They offer both custom and stock cabinetry in a variety of door styles.
KraftMaid sources sustainable, domestically-grown hardwoods like maple, hickory, and oak. They are also FSC-certified, meaning the wood is responsibly harvested. KraftMaid’s Duraseal finishing process protects its cabinets from wear and tear. Their paints and stains provide an ultra-smooth, furniture-quality finish.
For hardware, KraftMaid partners with reputable brands like Amerock, Berenson, and Liberty. They offer everything from knobs and pulls to hinges and drawer glides. KraftMaid’s soft-close hinges prevent slamming doors and drawers.
In terms of construction, KraftMaid uses kiln-dried lumber and high-quality plywood for sturdy, warp-resistant cabinets. Their dovetail joinery and corner blocks provide strength and stability. For ease of installation, KraftMaid’s Ready-To-Assemble (RTA) cabinets come pre-drilled and pre-assembled.
KraftMaid is a leader for good reason. Their dedication to quality, responsible materials, and American craftsmanship means you’ll have stylish, eco-friendly cabinets that last. KraftMaid offers a limited lifetime warranty on all wood and finish defects. When comparing Shenandoah Cabinets vs KraftMaid, KraftMaid is an excellent choice for high-quality, sustainable cabinetry.
Price Comparison: Shenandoah Cabinets vs KraftMaid
When comparing Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid, price is an important factor to consider. Both brands offer high-quality, stylish cabinets at varying price points to suit different budgets.
Shenandoah Cabinets are typically priced on the lower end of the scale. Their ready-to-assemble (RTA) and semi-custom lines start around $80-$200 per linear foot, making them an affordable option if you’re on a tight budget or renovating a rental property. Their custom and luxury lines with high-end finishes and features will cost $200-$500 per linear foot.
KraftMaid cabinets are usually priced in the mid-range, from $100 to $350 per linear foot for their semi-custom and custom lines. Their Select Series offers lower-priced options starting around $60-$120 per linear foot. KraftMaid’s hand-crafted and heirloom-quality styles with premium wood species and glazes top out around $400-$600 per linear foot or higher.
In summary, Shenandoah Cabinets will typically cost less overall compared to similar styles from KraftMaid. However, KraftMaid does have lower-cost options available if you want higher quality at a lower price point. The final cost for your kitchen will depend on the specific cabinet styles, wood species, and features you choose.
Additional Cost Considerations
When calculating the total cost for new kitchen cabinets, keep in mind additional expenses beyond the base cabinet price:
- Installation fees if not doing it yourself. Professional installation will add at least $100-$200 per linear foot.
- Hardware like knobs, pulls, and hinges. Basic hardware starts around $2-$5 per piece, while high-end hardware can cost $10-$20 or more per piece.
- Countertops which typically cost $30-$100 per square foot or more, depending on the material.
- Taxes, shipping fees, and any additional carpentry or electrical work needed.
- Permit fees if required in your area. Permits usually cost a few hundred dollars.
Considering the total cost of your kitchen remodel will help determine which brand, styles, and features fit your budget. Both Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid have plenty of options to choose from at nearly any price point.
Style and Design Options
When choosing between Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid, consider the style and design options each brand offers to determine which best fits your needs.
Shenandoah Cabinets provides a wide selection of door styles, from simple shaker to intricate inset, and over 50 wood species and laminate options to choose from. Their cabinets come in stock sizes but can also be customized. Shenandoah is known for high-quality, stylish yet affordable cabinets suitable for any home renovation or new construction project.
KraftMaid also offers an extensive selection of cabinetry in a range of price points. They are particularly well-known for trendy, contemporary styles and unique wood species. KraftMaid provides fully custom cabinetry with almost unlimited options for sizing, organization, and storage solutions. However, their custom and semi-custom lines do come at a higher cost.
Door Styles
Both brands offer popular door styles like shaker, traditional, and modern. Shenandoah also provides country, mission, and rustic options while KraftMaid offers more contemporary doors like slab, recessed panel, and recessed arch. KraftMaid may have a slight edge in trendier, high-end styles.
Wood and Finish Options
You’ll find high-quality wood species with either brand including oak, maple, hickory, and cherry along with a variety of laminates. KraftMaid offers some more unique options such as rustic alder, knotty pine, and acacia. Both brands provide a wide range of stains, glazes, and paints to customize your cabinet finish. KraftMaid is known for its decorative glazes, textured laminates, and metallic finishes.
Customization
While stock sizes will work for some homes, many customers prefer customized options. Shenandoah semi-custom cabinets provide modify height and trim while KraftMaid fully custom cabinets offer almost unlimited sizing and organizational options for your ideal kitchen layout. KraftMaid’s custom line does come at a premium cost.
In summary, you can expect high-quality, stylish cabinetry from either Shenandoah Cabinets or KraftMaid. KraftMaid may have an edge in contemporary, luxury styles and customization but at a higher price point. Shenandoah offers exceptional value for more traditional styles and affordable customization. Evaluate your priorities in terms of style, wood selection, and budget to determine which brand suits you best.
Wood and Finish Options
When choosing between Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid, one of the most important factors to consider is the wood and finish options offered by each brand. Both companies provide high-quality wood materials and a wide selection of finishes to complement your kitchen’s style.
Shenandoah Cabinets offers maple, oak, hickory, and cherry wood options in a variety of grain patterns and hues. Their cabinet finishes include natural stains that highlight the wood grain as well as painted finishes in colors from bright white to deep navy. Shenandoah is known for its heirloom-quality wood cabinets featuring dovetail joinery and mortise and tenon assembly.
KraftMaid also provides an array of premium wood types including maple, oak, hickory, and cherry. In addition, KraftMaid offers bamboo, a durable and eco-friendly material. KraftMaid’s cabinet finishes span from light oak stains to dark walnut stains as well as an extensive collection of laminate and painted options. KraftMaid is recognized for its its superior wood veneers, where thin sheets of high-quality wood adhere to cabinet frames.
When deciding between the two brands, analyze your kitchen’s style and think about the specific look you want to achieve. Shenandoah Cabinets may be ideal if you prefer an authentic wood cabinet with handcrafted details. KraftMaid could be better suited if you want an ultra-smooth cabinet finish or exotic wood types like bamboo.
In the end, you can’t go wrong with either Shenandoah Cabinets or KraftMaid. Both companies are reputable, offer premium wood materials and high-quality finishes, and have styles for any kitchen. Choosing a brand comes down to your personal preferences and priorities. With some consideration of the wood and finish options, you’ll determine which cabinet brand is the right choice for your home.
Cabinet Construction and Quality
Cabinet construction and quality are two of the most important factors to consider when comparing kitchen cabinet brands. Both Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid offer well-made cabinets with solid wood doors and durable finishes, but some differences in their construction and quality could impact your decision.
Shenandoah Cabinets are made in the USA from high-quality, sustainable materials. They use solid wood doors, durable plywood boxes, and sturdy joinery like dowels, glue, and screws for maximum strength. They are also Greenguard Gold certified, meaning they meet stringent standards for low chemical emissions. However, some customers note that Shenandoah Cabinets may dent or scratch more easily than other brands.
KraftMaid also produces stylish yet functional cabinets made of solid wood and engineered wood products. They are known for innovative storage solutions, soft-close hinges and drawers, and a durable multi-step finish. While KraftMaid imports some cabinet components, all cabinets are assembled in the USA. KraftMaid offers a limited lifetime warranty on all cabinetry, which provides solid coverage for defects or workmanship issues.
In summary, both Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid are well-constructed, quality cabinet brands. Shenandoah Cabinets are entirely made in the USA with sustainable, eco-friendly materials but may dent more easily. KraftMaid also assembles all cabinets in the USA and is known for innovative storage and soft-close features as well as a lifetime warranty. When choosing between the two brands, consider which factors like construction, features, and warranty are most important for your needs and budget. With either brand, you can expect stylish, functional cabinets that will last for years to come.
Available Accessories
When choosing between Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid, an important essential to consider is the available accessories offered by each brand to customize your kitchen.
Drawer and Pull-Out Options
Both Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid offer a variety of drawer and pull-out options to maximize kitchen storage space and accessibility. Shenandoah Cabinets provides traditional drawer boxes in a range of sizes as well as soft-close undermount drawer slides for a sleek look. They also offer pull-out trash and recycling bins, tray dividers, and spice rack inserts. Similarly, KraftMaid has a wide selection of drawer organizers, pull-out shelves, tray dividers, and waste bin cabinets to keep items neatly stored and within easy reach.
Cabinet Storage Solutions
In addition to drawer accessories, Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid provide various cabinet storage solutions. Shenandoah Cabinets offers items like lazy Susans, corner cabinet organizers, base cabinet drawers, and roll-out trays. KraftMaid also has an array of space-saving storage options like blind corner cabinets, magic corners, waste bin cabinets, and pull-down shelves. These specialized storage solutions can help maximize the functionality of your kitchen space.
Hardware
The hardware you choose, such as knobs, pulls, and hinges, can enhance both the form and function of your kitchen cabinets. Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid provide a wide range of hardware options in various styles, sizes, and finishes to complement your cabinetry. Both brands offer knobs pulls, hinges, and slides in brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, polished chrome,e and more. With the number of hardware choices available, you can achieve a custom look for your kitchen.
In summary, Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid provide many of the same accessory options to optimize your kitchen storage and complete the look you want. When deciding between the two brands, compare their available storage solutions, organizers, hardware and the specific features important for your needs. The right accessories can make a big difference in how functional and stylish your kitchen turns out.
Warranties: What’s Covered?
When comparing kitchen cabinet brands, the warranties offered are an important factor to consider. Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid both provide limited lifetime warranties on their cabinet box components, but there are some key differences in coverage to be aware of.
Shenandoah Cabinets
Shenandoah Cabinets offers a limited lifetime warranty that provides coverage for defects in materials and workmanship in the cabinet box, shelves, and drawer boxes. The warranty is limited to the original purchaser and is not transferable. Cosmetic damage and natural wood characteristics are not covered. The warranty requires product care and maintenance guidelines be properly followed. Repair or replacement of components is at the discretion of Shenandoah Cabinets.
KraftMaid
KraftMaid also provides a limited lifetime warranty on the cabinet box, shelves, and drawer boxes. In addition, KraftMaid offers a 5-year warranty on select decorative hardware and a 2-year warranty on factory-installed glides and hinges. The KraftMaid warranty also stipulates that products must be installed and cared for properly according to guidelines. KraftMaid will repair or replace components at their discretion.
As you can see, while both brands offer fairly standard limited lifetime warranties, KraftMaid provides coverage for additional components like hardware, glides, and hinges for a fixed period of time. The specific terms and conditions of each warranty, including what constitutes proper product care and maintenance, should be reviewed carefully based on the brand and product selections under consideration for your kitchen remodel. When in doubt, be sure to discuss the details with your kitchen designer or cabinet retailer.
Overall, Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid are reputable brands that stand behind their products with reasonable warranty coverage. Determine which aspects are most important for your needs and budget to choose the brand that is the best fit for your kitchen renovation. With proper installation and care, either brand should provide high-quality, durable cabinets to create your dream kitchen.
Shenandoah Cabinets vs KraftMaid FAQs
If you’re deciding between Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid for your kitchen remodel, you likely have some questions about how the two brands compare. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help determine which brand is the best choice for your needs.
Style and Selection
Both Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid offer a wide range of door styles, wood types, and finish options to suit any design aesthetic. Shenandoah Cabinets provides more traditional and rustic styles while KraftMaid leads the industry in contemporary and modern designs. KraftMaid also offers the largest selection of cabinetry sizes and configurations, making them a good choice if you have an unconventionally shaped space.
Quality and Construction
Shenandoah Cabinets are handcrafted from high-quality, North American hardwoods and assembled using wood joints and wood dowels for durability. KraftMaid also constructs cabinets from solid hardwoods and wood veneers, utilizing modern joinery techniques and hardware for stability. Both brands are well-made and backed by lifetime warranties, so quality and construction are comparable between the two.
Pricing and Value
In terms of pricing, Shenandoah Cabinets and KraftMaid are similarly positioned as mid-range to high-end cabinet brands. KraftMaid typically has a slightly lower price point due to large-scale manufacturing efficiencies. However, Shenandoah Cabinets are often seen as a better value since they are handcrafted. In the end, the brand that offers the best value for your budget will depend on the specific products and styles you choose.
Sustainability
If eco-friendly and sustainable materials are a priority, KraftMaid has an edge. They offer cabinet lines made from rapidly renewable materials as well as reclaimed and recycled wood and wood byproducts. Shenandoah does use high-quality, domestic hardwoods but does not specifically focus on sustainable forestry practices or reclaimed materials.
In summary, while KraftMaid and Shenandoah Cabinets share some similarities in quality, construction, and pricing, they differ significantly in style selection, sustainability, and value perception. Carefully considering how these factors align with your priorities will help determine which brand is the optimal choice for your kitchen.
Conclusion
In summary, whether you choose Shenandoah Cabinets or KraftMaid, you really can’t go wrong. Both brands produce high-quality, stylish, and durable cabinetry that will transform your kitchen. However, your final choice comes down to the specifics that are most important to you – things like budget, customization options, warranty coverage, and environmental sustainability. Evaluate what factors matter the most for your kitchen remodel and use this head-to-head comparison to determine which brand aligns closest with your priorities. With some thoughtful consideration of your needs and values, you’ll end up with cabinetry you’ll enjoy for years to come.
