I have visited the Canyon Creek showroom a couple times. Katana looks nice, but the difference is in the cabinet boxes, which are particleboard. The nice thing about Katana is that the basic 'wants' are all included (soft close doors and drawers, full extension undermount drawers). The showroom people said the line was made for housing developers with all the necessities, but skimping on the cabinet boxes (which buyers don't usually take any close look at). I think Katana is definitely comparable to Ikea.

Millennia gives you options for customization, and upgrades are all extra. Also, the warranty for this line is much better because the company feels they can stand by this line with more certainty.

In the end, I compared the Millennia line to a custom cabinet place in the Seattle area (Keystone Cabinets) and it turned out that going the custom route wasn't materially more than going with Millennia, so I think I'm going with Keystone... I'm expecting a final quote from them this week.

I forgot to mention that with Katana, the door styles are significantly limited as compared to the choices with Millennia. But if Katana has your style door, it may be a good route.... Particleboard isn't the low quality it used to be.

Have you browsed the Canyon Creek website? They have all the cabinet specs for all of their lines and additional info.

Here is a link that might be useful: Canyon Creek

Hi Steph2000! I'm a little puzzled that anyone would say MDF handles screws better. Regular wood screws don't work well in MDF at all, but there are special screws that are supposed to work.

I wouldn't get too hung up about what the boxes are made of. When I just ripped out the countertop in my old kitchen I discovered the boxes were 3/8" particleboard. Not what I would pick at all, but they've been fine for 13 years. More important is drawer construction, hardware, and the finish of the doors and drawers. And, yeah, I would definitely get maple rather than hickory.

I know you'll stop spinning soon!

As of 2016, you can get Katana in particleboard or "optional plywood on top, bottom, sides, toekicks and spreaders." See http://www.canyoncreek.com/collections/katana/construction/

@Steph200 Did you end up going with the Katana line? I'm in the same predicament as you and need to decide if the Canyon Creek Katana line is worth it. I've read up on particle board, and have found that you would typically need plywood where water tends to be like in the sink cabinet, but that particle board is just as good everywhere else that won't be exposed to water. Would love to know where you landed and get your thoughts. At the end of the day, if there is water damage, water is going to damage plywood or particle board, but would just love to know your overall thoughts on the Katana line. Thanks!

Not all board is the same. Top is particle board 13 hour water resistant core. Below that is water resistant MDF. Both can be soaked in water overnight with no effect.

@Deana I ended up going a totally different direction - with Bellmont cabinets. I did metal drawers and upgraded with the sink and drawer cabinets. Choosing a cabinet company is overwhelmingly hard - and they make it so difficult to compare apples to apples. Best of luck to you in that process!

@jdesign_gw What did you mean by your response above? Are your for or against particle board?

Particle board is great! When people who know what they are doing use it. It’s far superior to the really bad plywood you see everywhere in the market.

What I said. . Not all composite boards are the same. There are high grades of both particle board and MDF that are made with new formulations to be very water resistant. I always use them but not everyone does because the price might be a little higher. Especially bigger companies.

@steph2000 I am considering Bellmont, the 1900 line over Canyon Creek. How has your experience been? If already installed, are you pleased with the outcome? Thanks, still so very overwheled with selecting a cabinet company. 🤔🤪

@Lynn I did go with Bellmont and am extremely happy with my choice so far. I never did an unveiling, as I still don't have finishing touches done. You have my empathy, as the process of deciding on a cabinet line is extremely overwhelming! They do NOT make it easy!

I did a combo of Bellmont 1600 and 1900 and did metal drawers. The only benefit of taking so long to decide was that they came out with a gliding door system, which I have on my uppers. There are 2 sets of them on my uppers, with a small open shelf to end the run. Each set has 3 openings and 2 doors, so you can glide the doors back and forth and have a combination of open and closed cabinets. I love them because I don't have cabinet doors in my face. And, I don't need knobs on my uppers, which I love.

They are holding up great so far. Crossing fingers!

Good luck to you!

Thank you for the update. I love the way it turned out!

@Deana @Lynn @steph2000

I am trying to decide between Canyon Creek (Millenia) and Bellmont.

Just wondering what Dana & Lynn decided to go with, and any advice they might have on Canyon Creek vs Bellmont.

Also wondering if Steph2000 remains happy with her Bellmont cabinets -- photos are beautiful!

@Deana

Thank you so much, Deana, that is great to hear!

Millenia Equinox (maple) is exactly what I'm considering - toffee for perimeter & shadow or charcoal for the island.