How New Tariffs Are Shaping the Future of Cabinets & Countertops

When planning a kitchen or bath remodel, material costs and availability are already complex to navigate. With the addition of new tariffs on wood products, cabinetry, and countertop materials, the equation has become even more intricate. Recent shifts in U.S. trade policy are creating noticeable impacts on pricing, supply, and project timelines. As your local kitchen studio, we believe it’s important to understand what’s happening behind the scenes so you can make well-informed decisions. Below, we outline what homeowners, dealers, and contractors should know about how these evolving tariffs are influencing the industry and your project.

What’s Changing: Key Tariff Highlights

• In September 2025, the U.S. government announced new tariffs under Section 232 targeting wood, wood products, and derivative construction materials.

• Starting October 14, 2025, imports of kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and related wood products face a 25% tariff.

• These tariffs escalate January 1, 2026, when the rate on cabinets and vanities could jump to 50%, and on upholstered wood products to 30%.

• Softwood lumber imports (used for framing and raw material) are now taxed at 10%.

• Products from certain trading partners (EU, Japan, UK) may face lower effective tariffs due to trade agreements (caps of ~10-15%) for those regions.

Why This Matters: The Supply Chain & Material Impact

1. Costs up the chain, trickle down the line

Cabinet manufacturers and suppliers typically rely on global supply chains for: wood panels, hardware, laminates, finishing materials, etc. The new tariffs apply not only to finished goods but often to parts and components needed to build a finished product. Some manufacturers have already signaled price increases of 10% or more on imported lines.

Rising import costs are pushing manufacturers to:

• Increase product prices

• Reduce profit margins

• Trim back on less-popular styles or specialized items

• Delay or adjust deliveries

2. Reduced selection & longer lead times

Because tariffs make less-profitable lines more expensive, importers will likely start to scale back the variety they stock. They may focus only on best-selling styles and finishes, eliminating niche or exotic options. Manufacturers might also delay shipments to avoid tariffs, causing longer lead times.

3. Push toward domestic production

One of the goals behind imposing these tariffs is to boost U.S. based wood and cabinet manufacturing. The idea is to reduce reliance on foreign supply, create local jobs, and strengthen domestic supply chains. Yet, this transition will not be easy. Many U.S. operations still depend on imported raw materials (plywood, hardware, adhesives, finishes) for their production.

Local Colorado Effects

1. Colorado manufacturers still feel the pinch

Even producers here in Colorado face increased costs because they rely on imported parts, adhesives, hardware, or specialty components that now come with extra tariffs. That means local made cabinetry may not fully escape the ripple effects, it just has less exposure to the heaviest tariffs than fully imported lines.

2. Supply chain uncertainty and price volatility

Because tariff decisions can shift or be challenged, suppliers and fabricators are responding with shorter price guarantees, tighter inventory buffers, and, in some cases, higher margins to protect against future duty increases. In Colorado, the state’s leadership is responding, too: Governor Jared Polis has issued an executive order tasking state agencies to help assess and mitigate tariff impacts on Colorado’s industries.

3. Construction & remodeling under pressure

Colorado’s construction and remodeling ecosystem is already being squeezed. Material cost inflation + labor challenges = thinner margins. Reports show that tariffs are pushing up project costs and slowing project starts in Colorado.

4. Building local strength in a shifting market

The hope is that tariffs will drive demand toward U.S. based producers potentially benefiting Colorado makers who can scale appropriately. Some major cabinet manufacturers have publicly endorsed these tariffs, seeing them as a way to protect domestic industry. But success isn’t guaranteed. Many domestic firms still depend on global supply chains for raw materials or components. If those inputs remain expensive, the advantage is muted.

What This Means for Cabinets

Challenges	Effect on Cabinets
Higher import costs	Imported cabinet lines and exotic finishes may see steeper markups; domestic manufacturers may gain price competitiveness
Reduced variety	Importers may cut less-popular models or finishes to reduce exposure. Some exotic woods, imported finishes, or unusual lines may be dropped by suppliers.
Extended Lead Times	Delays in backlog as supply chains adjust. Component supply could also ripple into fabrication and delivery.
Supply chain complexity	Domestic makers still reliant on foreign components may feel pinch
Customer sensitivity	Buyers may hesitate or delay projects because of rising costs
Higher risk in quoting	Contractors and studios must be cautious with fixed bids as tariff shifts may force adjustments.
Opportunity for local makers	Where Colorado or U.S. manufacturers can source locally, there's a chance to compete better.

Several Manufacturers and dealers are already reporting they will try to absorb some increases temporarily rather than immediately passing them to customers, but that becomes harder as costs mount. Speak to your local dealer to see what lines are being adjusted and when.

What About Countertops?

Tariffs on quartz surface products (e.g. engineered stone) are also under consideration. Some manufacturers have petitioned for 50% tariffs on imported quartz surfaces, arguing unfair competition and import evasion.

While the announced tariffs focus mainly on wood and wood-derived products, any additional tariffs on stone, quartz, or other engineered surfaces could further impact countertop pricing and availability.

Also, since countertop fabrication often uses metal, adhesives, resins, and specialized machinery some of which may include imported parts knock-on cost increases are possible even where direct tariffs don’t apply.

Guidance For Homeowners:

To navigate this shifting landscape, here are strategies to stay ahead:

1. Act sooner rather than later - Lock in pricing and place orders before tariffs escalate (before Jan 1, 2026, when rates rise). If you’re serious about remodeling, get your design and cabinet decisions made asap to capture current costs.

2. Review contract terms carefully - Clarify who holds risk for tariffs, duty surcharges, and classification whether it’s you or the supplier. Check with your local dealer to see what brands are being affected.

3. Be flexible on materials - Be prepared to substitute materials for more domestic species, simpler finishes, or more stock-based lines if exotic imports become cost-prohibitive. If imported exotic woods are taxed too heavily, simplify finishes, consider domestic species, or use engineered or mixed materials to adapt.

4. Support domestic and regional makers - Whenever possible, choose local or U.S. based cabinet makers to support the economy while minimizing tariff risks. Selecting cabinets made or assembled in Colorado or other U.S. facilities can help reduce exposure to new tariffs, shorten supply chains, and improve lead times.

5. Plan for contingencies - Include extra time and budget in your project plan to absorb cost volatility or delays.

In Summary

Tariffs have always been part of the global supply/demand equation, but the 2025-2026 changes represent a notable shift for kitchen and bath remodeling. Imported cabinets, parts, and even countertop materials are likely to see cost pressures, reduced variety, and longer lead times.

As a homeowner, staying informed, acting early, and working closely with trusted vendors will help you manage these uncertainties. While the goal is economic protection and boosting domestic capacity, in the short run, the burden falls on every link in the chain including you.

At All About Cabinets and Countertops, we are working closely and diligently with manufacturers, suppliers, and vendors to ensure our clients stay as prepared and informed with this coming transition.