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Distinctions are made by Mills Pride.
I haven't seen the Distinctions cabinets. The ones I saw were Eurostyle which is made by Fabritec, a Quebec company.
We just bought the Distinctions cabinets from Home Depot for a kitchenette that we're installing in the basement. We haven't installed them yet, so I can't tell you how they go together, but the price was reasonable. We bought the shaker style doors in white -- they were special order, but they cost the same as the in-stock doors. They have a colour in the store called "custard" that I was considering, but I decided it was too yellow.
I think it's very wise of you to reconfigure the kitchen because that is a tell tale sign to date a kitchen, how it is layed out and the features inside the cabinets.
I have seen SO many kitchens in the same model house as mine and all the people often do is replace the smelly old cabinets with new ones giving no thought to functionality or safety even. It's such a waste of money because I know how much cabinets cost and if they had only gone to a designer to get some help they could get a really wowser kitchen.
The designer I went to told me that many people go in and don't want help, they just want to replace the cabinetry, a concept I cannot understand. Maybe you just get used to something being a certain way after a while.
I originally wanted a creamy white kitchen so that is why I investigated painted doors but as I previously mentioned, when I found out how much they were I quickly changed my mind. I am thrilled with what I ended up with, no regrets now but during the process I was bummed that I couldn't have an island (room was too small and I wanted it to appear larger) or fancy trim work (small room would have looked overly cluttered) or creamy white cabinets (issues with white appliances, cost vs. perceived value)
Home Depot has in stock cabinetry that looks very much like the Thomasville Carleton door but half the price in thermofoil. This was not available when I bought my kitchen but it would be a really hard decision if I had to do it over again to choose between those door and what I have.
Take your time and don't rush into anything.
If water penetrates to the MDF is kind of swells up so you have to ensure areas around a dishwasher and sink are protected so no paint chipping is allowed.
Professionally painted MDF kitchens cost about the same as solid wood door kitchens so you aren't saving money there, just going for a different look. I originally wanted painted kitchen cabinets so I looked at this when I was doing my homework for my kitchen reno. I guess you have to ask yourself what is the most important thing for you and resale for me is very important. I felt the perceived value of painted kitchen cabinets was lower than wooden door cabinets so that's why I opted for wood instead. Not saying your priority should be resale though, just the reason why I did what I did.
Good to know, thanks Arizona!
I am currently trying to get quotes for a painter to spray laquer the doors. If that cost comes in at or less than $2000 then we will probably go with that option b/c the total for the kitchen will be less than 1/2 the cost Home Depot, Ikea, and kitchen store has quoted us for therma foil doored kitchen.
I want a creamy white kitchen and this is proving to be a bit more difficult than I anticipated - long story that is boring so I won't relay here...
Resale is not an issue, I do not plan on moving anytime soon (we even have visions of how the house will function for when our homecare nurse will live;))
My 1980's solid oak kitchen is why the house sat on the market for a year - it is also why we got it for a steal of a deal. So I know I need to update the kitchen. But I am redoing it for storage and function, otherwise we would just paint out the existing cabinetry a creamy white and be done with it.
You will need to have sturdier hinges because they are heavier.
If water penetrates to the MDF is kind of swells up so you have to ensure areas around a dishwasher and sink are protected so no paint chipping is allowed.
Professionally painted MDF kitchens cost about the same as solid wood door kitchens so you aren't saving money there, just going for a different look. I originally wanted painted kitchen cabinets so I looked at this when I was doing my homework for my kitchen reno. I guess you have to ask yourself what is the most important thing for you and resale for me is very important. I felt the perceived value of painted kitchen cabinets was lower than wooden door cabinets so that's why I opted for wood instead. Not saying your priority should be resale though, just the reason why I did what I did.
Aside from being heavier, which also means they can take more abuse, the main issue is the weight and if they chip it isn't as easy to repair them.
No door material is going to be easy to fix but if there is a good point I think it would be that they take to painting very well.