frameless ultracraft destiny vs framed merilat

15 years ago

I originally wanted frameless cabinet thinking it would give me more room & found ultracraft from a contractor that was well reviewed (did extreme makeover, w/ ty pedington and also did a friends kitchen that had no problems), but i felt pushy - told me if i don't sign in 1 wk their rates were going up 4%. Loved the cabinets & his design, but he was a little high. He did say he can negotiate, but i said if he could not come down another $10,000 i couldn't afford his price. We have now found another contractor/kd that deals w/ merrilat cabinets that we like, but i am giving up the frameless idea. Does anyone out have experience with both framed - frameless. Or should we tuff it up & go back to the ultracraft cabinet person & does that cabinet really offer more options?

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Comments (4)

glad
15 years ago
My Ultracraft seem much roomier than my old framed cabinets. Drawers are bigger, no stile when i open a cabinet. I just don't know how much of that is due to framed/frameless vs general design.
L H
15 years ago
I'm looking for frameless cabinets right now and waiting on a quote for Ultracraft. For frameless I've looked at:
**Cabico - 14K quote. 4K more than I'm willing to spend. Nice thing is they have an integreated end panel built into the cabinet that looks like the doors. Bad news is...i can't afford it! Also, talked to a very experienced installer. Said Cabico would be his last choice in framelss b/c of the construction - they use metal L brackets which he doesn't like.

**Dover Woods - 10K without the end panels. seems to be only in New England. decent cabinet. Every installer/KD i've mentioned them to said definitely go with them if I'm getting a painted finish.

**Canyon Creek - pending estimate
**Ultracraft - pending estimate
**Kraftmaid Venecia - I've heard conflicting opinions on recent quality issues with KM. They do not offer solid wood reversed raised panels on their recessed panel doors. Only veneers and that's a put off for me.

Like you, I was ready to give up the frameless mission. But then I measured an interior of a framed drawer for framed. a 15" drawer had a 10" usable interior. I'm getting a lot of drawers and I just don't want to give that up. The drawers are the main diff in usability and look. Most framed cabinets come without the stiles in the middle and you can get full overlay doors which mostly mimic the look of frameless.

>Do some more investigation on frameless brands available in your area.
>Talk to more than one KD and if anyone gives you pressure tactics, walk away.
>Look into the lumber yards that sell kitchen cabinets - lower mark up it seems.
>Take your time on your design. I've worked mine for a couple months and I'm glad I did. Little changes are making a big difference and adding unique features I didn't think of until I spoke to many and perused this forum.

I'll update you on my quotes later this week and any other info I get.
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lowspark
15 years ago
Best thing to do is measure the actual usable space in both brands you are considering in order to really get a feel for how the space compares. I am a frameless fan for reasons of space and accessibility.

I would never buy under pressure. I hate that sales tactic of trying to coerce me to buy before some imminent deadline to beat the price increase. If I'd already been seriously considering a product and was very close to deciding and the salesman THEN said that the price was due to rise, that's one thing. But purposeful pressure is unacceptable.

Like gemini suggests, you should shop around. There are lots of cabinet brands out there, and lots of frameless brainds. I got a LOT of quotes before I finally picked Brookhaven which I was SURE was out of my price range... till I actually got a quote.

You can use my list below to go to lots of manufacturers' websites and find out if their product is available in your area.

Here is a link that might be useful: lowspark's framed and frameless list
djustus10
15 years ago
I've worked with Ultracraft cabinets and like the choices in wood and veener door styles. The later door choice lowers the price a bit. You are right in the assesment of more space inside the cabinets, about 15 to 20% more. I think the main reason for the difference in cost over framed is because most doors and drawer cores are outsourced tending to raise costs. The plus is that you do get some unique door styles for that extra cost.

I would also look for an installer who has installed frameless cabinets before. There are some installation requirements that are not the same as a framed install.

frameless ultracraft destiny vs framed merilat

Comments (4)

glad

L H

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