Searching for the perfect kitchen cabinet can be both very exciting and confusing. With countless options available, it is a hard job finding the right one.
If you have already started looking for the best cabinets in the market, you must have stumbled upon the famous kitchen cabinet brands Wellborn and Kraftmaid.
The primary differences between Wellborn and Kraftmaid cabinets are their prices and designs. While Wellborn offers more design options, Kraftmaid offers you more budget choices.
In this blog, we will delve into the ultimate Wellborn cabinets vs Kraftmaid debate so you can make an informed decision!
Wellborn Cabinets VS Kraftmaid Cabinets
Before we get into the details, here’s a quick overview on the key differences between Wellborn and Kraftmaid cabinets:
| Comparison Factors | Wellborn | KraftMaid |
| Construction | Sturdy wood frame, I-Beams, dovetail drawers, soft-close slides, flexible storage | 14-step finish, solid wood, dovetail drawers, 90-lb slides, adjustable shelves |
| Materials | Wood (oak, maple, cherry, hickory), MDF, laminate, metal (stainless steel, aluminum) | Wood (oak, maple, cherry, hickory, birch, alder), MDF, all-plywood |
| Finish and Style | Various finishes, glazes, stains, laminates | Unique finish techniques, stains, glazes |
| Design | Traditional, Shaker, Transitional, Contemporary | Traditional, Shaker |
| Testing and Durability | Static load, cycle, environmental tests, KCMA standards | Extensive cycle tests, environmental resistance |
| Cost | $15,000 – $25,000 | $7,000 – $20,000 |
Construction
Wellborn
Wellborn understands that not all cabinets are created equal, which is why they offer a range of cabinet construction options to cater to different preferences.
Their framed cabinets feature a sturdy 3/4-inch solid wood face frame, providing durability and a classic look.
One standout feature of Wellborn’s framed cabinets is the use of I-Beams, which enhances the cabinet’s structural strength, ensuring it remains stable throughout its lifespan.
Moreover, Wellborn strongly emphasizes drawer construction, employing 5/8-inch solid hardwood dovetail joints, widely recognized as one of the strongest and most durable methods for crafting drawers.
To enhance the user experience, their cabinets come with full-extension under-mount soft-close drawer slides, ensuring smooth and quiet operation.
Additionally, base cabinets from Wellborn provide 25% more storage space than any other cabinets with adjustable shelves or pullout shelves, maximizing your kitchen or bathroom storage space.
KraftMaid
KraftMaid takes a comprehensive approach to cabinet construction, employing a proprietary DuraKraft™ Plus Finishing System that goes through a 14-step high-quality finishing process.
This process enhances protection and ensures wipe-clean kitchen cabinet durability, making KraftMaid cabinets resistant to everyday scuffs and stains.
KraftMaid cabinets are equipped with Whisper Touch® Hinges & Drawer Runners, enabling soft-close doors and drawers.
Solid-wood dovetail drawers are a standard feature, and they can withstand generations of use due to their 3/4-inch solid-wood construction.
Deep drawer boxes with full-extension drawers provide convenient access to your stored items.
Moreover, KraftMaid cabinets feature 90-lb Drawer Slides, offering robust support for heavy items.
Eased edges reduce the risk of snags and scratches, and I-Beam Sturdy Construction ensures stability throughout the cabinet’s lifecycle.
You’ll find 1/2″ panels on the top and bottom of all wall cabinets and on the bottom and end panels of all base cabinets.
KraftMaid cabinets offer 3/4-inch fully adjustable shelves for flexible storage options, allowing you to customize your cabinet to fit any need.
Materials
Wellborn
Wellborn cabinets are made with craftsmanship and quality materials. They offer a wide range of products to suit different tastes.
The most popular choices are wood, with options such as oak, maple, hickory, cherry, and painted MDF.
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is often used for cabinet doors and drawer fronts because it is durable and compatible with a variety of finishes.
You can also get a laminated option in which a thin plastic layer of laminate is wrapped around a substrate like MDF or plywood. This is a very popular option for its flexibility and durability.
Wellborn also manufactures stainless steel and aluminum steel cabinets because they are durable and low maintenance.
But if you’re looking for a more rustic look, Wellborn also offers Character Maple and Character Cherry wood options.
KraftMaid
KraftMaid cabinets also provide diverse materials, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your project.
They offer wood species like oak, maple, cherry, hickory, birch, and alder, providing a rich palette of natural tones and grain patterns.
Kraftmaid cabinets also offer the popular Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) option.
Additionally, they provide all-plywood construction for cabinet boxes and shelves, resulting in a durable and dependable product.
Finish and Style Variety
Wellborn
Wellborn’s Aspire cabinetry line offers a wide range of finishes to match your design vision.
The solid color options are Aqua, Bleu, Bright White, Cape, Celtic, Divinity, and many more.
You can also have glazed options like Aqua Granite, Aqua Java, Bleu Java, Bright White Java, Cape Charcoal, and Celtic Charcoal.
Wellborn provides Caramel, Castle, Coffee, Dark, Drift, Espresso, and Gauntlet stains.
You can also get stains with glaze like Caramel Java, Castle Charcoal, Drift Java, Drift Pewter, Drift Slate, and Gauntlet Charcoal.
Other options include Matte, High Gloss, Embossed Melamine, Heavy Textured Melamine, and Decorative Laminate Veneers.
Decorative Laminate Veneers feature an MDF particle core and a laminate cover layer, resulting in a robust cabinet material with various aesthetic options.
KraftMaid
KraftMaid provides unique finishes with its various finish techniques.
The techniques include Antique, Aged with Care, Olde World, Vintage, and Heirloom. They give each cabinet a unique effect, ensuring a personal touch in your kitchen.
KraftMaid cabinets come in solid color finishes such as white, dove gray, classic gray, and more. These colors give the cabinets an elegant and classic look.
They also create finishes that show the natural beauty of the tree and its grain patterns, such as honey spices, peppers, and pralines.
You can also choose from different glaze options like Caramel, Chocolate, Espresso, and more.
Design
Wellborn
Wellborn’s commitment to versatility extends to their cabinet designs:
- Traditional: These cabinets provide classic styles with fancy details and are made from woods like oak, maple, and cherry.
- Shaker: Shaker cabinets are simple and clean-looking with zero excessive detailing. They are often made from maple and white oak.
- Transitional: Transitional cabinets are a mix of traditional and modern styles and come in woods like maple, cherry, and alder.
- Contemporary: Contemporary cabinets offer a modern, sleek design. They are usually made from maple, walnut, or laminate.
KraftMaid
KraftMaid offers fewer cabinet designs but produces enormous styles to suit your taste:
- Traditional: These cabinets add a touch of classic elegance to your kitchen. They are made from woods like oak, maple, and cherry.
- Shaker: Shaker cabinets are all about simplicity and clean looks, usually crafted from maple and birch for that minimalist vibe.
Testing and Durability
Wellborn
Wellborn strongly emphasizes crafting cabinets that are built to last.
Their focus is clear: creating robust and resilient kitchen cabinets for everyday use. Here’s what we know about Wellborn’s approach to durability:
Static Loading Tests
Wellborn cabinets undergo static loading tests to determine their weight-bearing capacity without failing.
These tests are conducted to meet or exceed the rigorous standards set by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA).
Door and Drawer Cycle Tests
Wellborn conducts door and drawer cycle tests to assess how well their cabinets hold up to daily wear and tear.
These tests measure how many times the doors and drawers can be opened and closed without failing.
Wellborn consistently meets or surpasses the demanding KCMA standards in this regard.
Environmental Tests
Wellborn cabinets are subjected to environmental tests that simulate various conditions, including humidity and temperature changes.
These tests evaluate the cabinets’ ability to withstand these factors. Once again, Wellborn cabinets prove their spirit by meeting or exceeding the stringent KCMA standards.
KraftMaid
KraftMaid, on the other hand, stands out with its explicit commitment to durability and quality.
They leave no stone unturned when it comes to testing their cabinets, ensuring they are built to last. Here’s a closer look at KraftMaid’s approach to durability:
Extensive Door and Drawer Cycle Tests
KraftMaid goes the extra mile by subjecting their cabinets to extensive door and drawer cycle tests. Their cabinets are opened and closed a remarkable 35,000 times during testing.
This far surpasses the industry standard and demonstrates KraftMaid’s dedication to producing cabinets that can withstand the demands of daily life.
Comprehensive Environmental Tests
KraftMaid conducts rigorous environmental tests to evaluate their cabinets’ resistance to various conditions.
These tests include chemical resistance, UV light exposure, and high-temperature resistance assessments.
KraftMaid cabinets are engineered to maintain their quality and appearance over time, even in challenging environments.
Cost
Wellborn
The average cost for a high-end Wellborn cabinet ranges from $15000-$25000 USD. It may seem a little pricey, but wellborn cabinets can serve your home for years and provide great resale value.
KraftMaid
The Kraftmaid cabinets go around the $7000 to $20000 price range. So if budget is a concern, this is the option to go for.
Bottom Line
Good cabinets are like investments for your house. So, when it comes to choosing cabinets, you want nothing but the best.
Considering all the factors, it should be clear by now that both Wellborn and Kraftmaid cabinets offer unique values as well as preferences.
If you are on a kitchen renovation journey, I hope this article has helped you clear your dilemma about selecting the right cabinet.
FAQ
Are Wellborn cabinets real wood?
Yes. Wellborn cabinets come in oak, maple, cherry, and hickory, which are real wood.
Does KraftMaid use MDF?
Yes. Kraftmaid uses Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard for its cabinets.
What material is IKEA cabinets?
IKEA cabinets are mainly made of Fiberboard and melamine foil.