I think the Diamond cabinets are a good value for the money. In 2007, they were dinged by Consumer Reports because they skimped on their cabinet boxes. It appears that they have rectified this problem, so they are a lot more sturdy than they used to be. If you can find the finish and door style that you are looking for, then they might be a good option for you. I think that they have a lot of "gadets" too. They make a 3-inch spice pull-out rack that you can't find with all of the manufacturers. Right now, HD has a deal where you can get 50% off the painted finishes, a free sink base, and cash back depending on how much you spend. I would stay away from the Chinese cabinets. They often advertise ridiculous low price specials to pull you in, but the quality, fit, and finish is not worth it in my opinion. You are better off going with stock American-made cabinets or IKEA cabinets if you want to lower your cabinet costs.

Diamond is a much more flexible product line and therefor should be more expensive. Aristokraft has built its name as the affordable american cabinet but like everything having a accepted brand name just means you can charge more for them. I have several american made brands in my store that lower in price then Aristokraft and much more flexible in choice of cabinets. I have access to Aristokraft but do not promote them as they are generally not the best deal. Most of the thermofoil finishes tend to peal off over time. I personally would get a painted finish before a thermofoil. The quality of the finish between the cabinets lines is not easy to judge.

Hi Rebecca, I just want to say I am not here to sway your decision in any way from one cabinet line to another, I will just pass on what I know about the two, and let you decide what is best for you. As snookums pointed out "Customer's house and money. The decisions are theirs only". Short answer is yes, you can finish the ends and back to match your cabinetry. First off, if you decide to pursue the idea of Diamond, make sure your KD is quoting you Diamond Distinctions, in APC (all plywood construction) and not Diamond Vibes, as someone else mentioned. The APC replaces standard cabinet construction with unfinished 1/2â³ plywood ends, top, bottom, and 3/8â³ back. Upgrades shelves to 3/4â³ finished plywood. 5% Up-charge(I consider this a no brainier, and my customers almost always want the APC) This will give you the same box construction as the higher end cabinet line. Finished ends are accomplished several ways. 1- Finished Ends Creates a matching finished 1/2â³ plywood exterior end. 2-Furniture Finished Plywood Ends Replaces standard cabinet ends with 3/4â³ finished end panels to achieve a Furniture End appearance. 3-Authentic Ends Modifies cabinet end panel with applied decorative door. I use this one the most. Sounds like what you were looking for. 4- Face Frame and Door on End Creates a working door on the end of the specified cabinet. Finishing the backs of islands is one place the two cabinet lines are going to differ, the higher end offers face frame, and matching door panels by the SF built to any configuration and size. The Diamonds don't, but can be done by applying a matching cabinet skin and moldings, then apply what we refer to as "loose doors" . This is one of those many details that needs to be well planned, so as to order the correct size "loose doors"as well as the right skin and moldings. Hope this helps Wayne

Liberty is a bead board door style door name in the Diamond Distinctions line, and the name of a questionable dealer for a bunch of knockoff stuff in SF. Diamond are framed cabinets, produced by Masterbrand. Go right to the source. https://www.diamondcabinets.com/products