The answer is a resounding yes! KraftMaid cabinets are made in the USA, with quality materials and assembled by hand. This results in semi-custom cabinets with a custom look that are built to last. The main difference between American and Chinese cabinets is the material used for the box. Chinese cabinets are typically made of plywood, while American cabinets are usually made of particleboard.
Most Chinese cabinets come standard with plywood cases, while American or semi-custom cabinets come standard with chipboard or furniture boxes. Even most complete custom lines use particleboard, MDF, or some type of engineered wood as standard box construction. New Leaf Cabinets & Counters in Tacoma, WA offer a limited lifetime warranty on all their cabinets. High-end custom cabinet manufacturers often produce cabinet boxes entirely from plywood, but some use particleboard. Since Chinese cabinets are made of plywood, they need to be stained and, since there are no chemical safety regulations, there are concerns about the products used to dye them.
Today's RTA cabinets are superior to the cabinets of past generations and will last longer than what most people have in their homes. Most American cabinets aren't really that American. Many cabinet companies manufactured in the United States come mainly from other countries and only a small part of the work is done in the USA. However, KraftMaid is an exception to this rule. The company that owns kitchen and bathroom cabinet manufacturer KraftMaid, which has manufacturing facilities in Ashtabula and Geauga Counties, is based in Middlefield, Ohio. Nearly all cabinet manufacturers build their cabinet boxes with medium density fiberboard (MDF) or particleboard.
If the durability of your kitchen cabinet finish is a high priority, there's no better option than a high-gloss finish. KraftMaid's improved closet box (and that of many other semi-custom cabinet lines) is made of plywood; the upgrade costs 15 percent more. The popularity of Chinese-made kitchen cabinets is increasing due to their low cost and ease of ordering online. However, if you're looking for quality craftsmanship and long-lasting durability, you can't go wrong with KraftMaid cabinets made in the USA.
