Compare Cherry vs Maple Cabinets Costs

Cherry Cabinets

Cherry Cabinets Overview

Cherry is a premium hardwood that is very popular for kitchen cabinets. It has a distinctive, warm reddish color and a more noticeable grain than maple. It is fashionable, but also sturdy and durable.

How Much Do Cherry Cabinets Cost?

You could spend as little as $5,000 to outfit a small kitchen with prefabricated cherry cabinets from a big box store or as much as $30,000 for custom cherry cabinets for a large kitchen. Generally, cherry is more expensive than maple because it is considered a premium wood.

Cherry Cabinets Pros

• Color - Many people choose cherry for the warm, reddish-brown natural color. The color is difficult to mimic with stain.
• Grain pattern - Those who prefer a distinct, noticeable wood grain tend to love cherry cabinets.

Cherry Cabinets Cons

• Softer wood - Cherry is a slightly softer wood than maple, so it tends to scratch and dent more easily. That being said, it is still a very durable wood.
• Darkens over time - Cherry will naturally darken over time, and in some cases it will darken unevenly.

Maple Cabinets

Maple Cabinets Overview

Maple is another popular variety of wood for kitchen cabinets. It is lighter in color than cherry and has a more subtle grain pattern. Maple is a strong and durable wood, but it is also reasonably priced.

How Much Do Maple Cabinets Cost?

The same pricing rules apply to maple cabinetry. The price varies greatly depending on the size of your kitchen and the quality of cabinets you select. However, maple tends to be slightly less expensive than cherry.

h4>Maple Cabinets Pros

• Durability - Maple is a harder wood that is more difficult to scratch or dent.
• Cost - You can expect to save about $1,000 to $2,000 by installing maple instead of cherry in an average-sized kitchen.
• Less grain - For those who don’t like a distinct grain pattern, maple is ideal. The graining is very subtle.

Maple Cabinets Cons

• Stain limitations - Maple doesn’t accept stain as well as some other types of wood. Dark stains tend to look blotchy or uneven. With maple, you’re better off choosing a lighter stain.
• Yellows over time - Maple can take on a yellowish tint over time that some people find unattractive.

By: Karen Lawes