100% Yes - Don't get them at big box. Usually you can get better deals at Kraftmaid dealers than at big box. We saved 4k and what out dealer could do that big box can't is get them custom painted at Kraftmaid for a reasonable charge

Thank you both! I was hoping for a yes!

live_wire_oak so you think it's safe to still order KM Vantage given the negative reviews and ownership change? I'm currently debating over KM Vantage and Shiloh at pretty much the same price for both.

@User and @Wayne Emerson: Can you please elaborate on why you feel getting KM from local dealers is better than big box stores? Is there a difference in

a) the quality of the final deliverable or

b) the chances of them delivering the cabinets as per specifications or

c) the after sales service - local dealer would be more response in supporting any issues down the road I assume or

d) Price - we got quotes for KM from both HD and local dealer. We got the quote from HD first and then when we called the local dealer, he said that there is no way he can match the price from HD. Which is contrary to what @Wayne Emerson wrote above. So curious to understand if there are other considerations that make the price comparison not an apples to apples comparison.

Please advise

a). I see a difference with Big Box and Dealer - Dealer quality on vantage better all around. you have to inspect what you normally don't see in the cabs construction. Also Big Box cannot alter the cabinet color. Dealer can through Kraftmaid program. i.e. we hated the Kraftmaid Dove white, had the cabs custom painted a white we chose and they are stunning.

b) I can't speak to that. What I can say is that there were some errors in the big box design that would have caused a lot of troubles. Menards especially (carries the lesser KM type) had so many errors it was laughable)

c) We had a few problems with our cabinets. Our dealer handled every concern we had quickly and resolved everything.

d) price. Lowes was $4500.00 higher than local dealer 21.5K vs the 17K we paid. HD was $5000.00 higher - and we have custom paint to boot. Calling a dealer is not going to do it. KM does have dealer sales / incentives just like a car dealer - We developed a relationship with a local (Cleveland area) KM dealer, had many conversations, emails and sessions with our designer and the design software before a dime was exchanged.

e) changes - Once that order goes in with Big Box - good luck changing it. We had a major change after our order went in - dealer handled it without batting an eye.

f) Contractor pricing - see if you can push for it - we did. Good Luck.

@Wayne Emerson & @User - thank you for the detailed explanation and insights. Very helpful. Much appreciated.

“Their quality has always been in the upper “good” category, not “great” category, as befits their standing as a mid range product producer.“

@live_wire_oak I always learn so much from your posts. You seem to like KM. Do you have recommendations for any other ”good” cabinetry? I don’t think “great” is in the budget. Not looking for a lot of pullouts or accessories in the cabinets, or fancy glazes. Biggest splurge will be doing drawers in bases instead of doors. Thank you!

Wes Hunt, did you make your decision between Kraftmaid and Shiloh? i haven’t seen Shiloh in person yet, but thinking of taking a look. Thanks!

Kraftmaid VANTAGE is an all wood cabinet. Even the interiors are lined with wood veneer and not the standard woodgrained vinyl. Not a speck of MDF. There's nothing wrong with the woodgrained vinyl, by the way....but the wood veneer interiors is an upgrade.

If all wood is important to you, go with KM Vantage

If you want partial or full overlay doors, go with KMV over Shiloh

If you want flush/beaded inset cabinets, go with Shiloh

If you need more customization, go with Shiloh

If you want a gorgeous wood hood, go with Shiloh...they offer a lot more hood designs than KM

If you want frameless, go with Shiloh's Eclipse series. Great price point...especially the TFL finishes.

Both have adequate painted finishes for their price point. Better than stock grade....not as nice as factory custom (ie Plain & Fancy).

lisachew5 we went with Shiloh cabinets. I'm still waiting for them to be delivered and installed. The installer initially told me about 5-6 weeks for delivery, I think I'm at the end of 5 weeks so hopefully they'll be here soon. We're updating the full kitchen including cabinets, floors, and counters. Floors have finally started going in but we're living in chaos right now :)

This is pic of them tearing out the old floors.

Gourmet cooking on the George Foreman

Good luck with everything!

We are in the process of picking a cabinet brand and was wondering what you think of Masterbrand Decora or Kraftmaid Vantage.

We went with the Kraftmaid Vantage and are happy with them so far. We’ve only had them for about 2 months. Good luck!

@lisachew5 Did you go with Dove White? I have priced Lowes and Vantage. It is hard to know what to purchase! I want decent quality cabinets but there are so many choices. Wood, Veneer, or MDF. I know I do not want Thermofoil! I do want them to hold up. Which door did you choose?

Elaine, I feel your pain!

I did the ’color match’ to Sherwin Williams Pure White (also my house trim color) on the perimeter and a black island. I did the Breslin door style, all plywood construction. In hindsight, I’m not sure I would choose the black again. It shows every speck of dust, oil, etc when the sun shines on it. I was told by a designer not to choose matte finish and I’m glad I didn’t.

In the guest bath and the laundry room, I did the Trumbull door style in Quartersawn Oak in the Husk finish. I’m really happy with those and if I had to do it again, I’d probably do that on my island. Doesn‘t look anything like the oak cabinets of the 80s and 90s! I think in the long run, the stain finish would hold up and be able to be touched up more easily than paint.

I’m away until Sunday but if you check back with me then, I can send you photos.

Good luck with your decision!

@lisachew5 yours sounds beautiful. I ordered White Dove Kraftmaid, all plywood construction. The door has a veneer on the center panel. I have seen some oak cabinets that look beautiful! I really love the white oak. I agree that the oak now looks nothing like the 80's and 90's! The door I ordered is called the Ruxton at Lowes, but the exact one has a different name at Home Depot and another name at the lumberyard that sells Kraftmaid. Mine is a shaker with a 3" railsb and 3" stiles

Hope you love them!

@Wayne Emerson what dealer in Cleveland? I am from Cleveland

@The Kitchen Place what do you think of Shiloh? I keep seeing negative reports here but not seeing too many people saying positive things.

I see a mix of negative and positive. IMO, They're an awesome company and I love their cabinets. Have them in my own home. However, I have noticed more shipping damage and fabrication flaws over the last three years. Covid related staff shortage, I'm sure. They had a price increase today....about 14%. I'm not sure how much we'll sell going forward. Medallion Silverline had a HUGE price increase too.... 25%! So I see myself selling more and more of KraftMaid Vantage. Cabinets gave people sticker shock before inflation....people are getting even more sticker shocked now.

@Elaine _M How are you liking your cabinets? Im looking at Kraftmaid Ruxton dove white? Would you recomend them? Where did you order them from? Thank you!

I am sorry, I just saw this comment. @hu725274850 I love the cabinets. I actually ordered from Home Depot. Lowes was a little less but my contractor wanted me to order from Home Depot. I think the lumber yard that quoted mine had a better design but they were more expensive. I am getting my quartz installed tomorrow. (Cambria Smithfield) If you go to Kraftmaid website they show them at each store and what the name is. These are nicer than I expected them to be.

Late in the game, bit regarding KM Vantage… are certain cabinet door fronts more durable than others? (thicker, etc?)

@Theresa Mary, I can’t speak to the thickness, but when we were ordering ours, I questioned the interior part of the front panels being made of MDF rather than wood and I was told that MDF doesn’t expand and contract so it is less likely to warp than wood is. We’ve had them 16 months and are happy with them so far.

I highly recommend doing some deep drawers. They hold a lot of weight and are easier to get things in and out of.

Good luck!

The door offerings are the same whether PB standard or Vantage All Wood. It's the box that is upgraded. Vantage boxes are NICE. Wood interiors, no vinyl, no PB. If you just want PLYWOOD ends on the exposed ends of your kitchen, You can order KraftMaid with specific cabinets that have plywood ends. That would be less money than Vantage but you get added durability. You can also upgrade to FLUSH finished plywood ends....even thicker and nicer to see and fits better with installation.

Thicker door frames aren't necessary for added quality and just add weight and more strain on the hinges.

If you're doing a shaker style with a reversed raised panel....that has a thicker center panel. This would be a good choice if you are doing a knotty or rustic wood.

@The Kitchen Place

“Thicker door frames aren't necessary for added quality and just add weight and more strain on the hinges.”

Interesting point and thank you for that insight!

Does anyone have any experience with Medallion Cabinetry? I’m trying to decide between them and the Kraftmaid Vantage from an independent dealer. Seems to be a significant price difference.

Which series of Medallion? Silver Gold Platinum? But FYI, KraftMaid Vantage is top of the line construction....no pressed board or vinyl whatsover...even the interiors are clad with wood veneer, no fake woodgrain vinyl pressed board. Vantage is nice. With Medallion, you have to upgrade to all wood to get close to Vantage.

Thank you for your response. I’ve been looking at Irish Crème in Medallion Silverline. Also the Cappuccino which would be the Medallion Gold. I can’t seem to find a color I really love in the Kraftmaid Vantage. Looking to do a light paint color but not white or yellowy cream, or a light stain that doesn’t have a lot of yellow.

@Jane Spangler it sounds like you're describing the Kraftmaid color called Cottage. Have you seen it? It's considered a white but it's not a stark white or a creamy white, more of an off white. I really want BM Natural Cream on my cabinets and this is the closest color I've found to that. I'm trying to consider an option that isn't custom so that's how I came across the Cottage color.

@lisachew5, is that a Kraftmaid hood? Which style do you know?

@Jane Spangler, KM has a fairly new white called Warm White that is not yellow at all. I find the Cottage to be yellow.

My daughter installed KM Cottage in her kitchen and I don’t think they look yellow. If anything they have a tinge of pink. I think a lot has to do with your natural lighting and what’s reflected.