Will Canadian Lumber Tariffs Make Cabinet Doors More Expensive?

Are Canadian lumber tariffs making cabinet doors more expensive? Learn how tariffs impact pricing from suppliers like Cutting Edge.

A red sign reading Tariffs Just Ahead in front of a grey, cloudy sky. The Canadian lumber tariffs will increase the cost of products made with wood, including cabinet doors and dovetail drawer boxes.

If you’re a cabinet maker or contractor, you’re probably asking yourself: How will the Canadian tariffs on U.S. lumber affect the cost of cabinet doors? Will your quotes remain valid, or should you expect price fluctuations? How will suppliers like Cutting Edge respond?

At Cutting Edge, we’ve been crafting custom cabinet doors for over 20 years. Our time in the industry has given us experience with handling fluctuating prices. We’ve closely monitored the recent tariff changes, and now that they’re in effect, we want to help you understand what they mean for your business.

In this article, you’ll learn:

By the end of this article, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect in the upcoming months as the Canadian lumber tariffs take effect.

The Canadian Lumber Tariffs Will Increase the Price of Cabinet Doors

The Canadian government has, for now, imposed a 25% tariff on U.S. lumber imports, among other products. Since many lumber companies purchase wood from the U.S., this added cost will affect prices down the supply chain.

A stack of freshly-cut logs. The Canadian lumber tariffs will affect the prices of lumber from the US and increased demand for Canadian lumber will increase the price of domestic wood.

Why Do Tariffs Raise Prices?

Tariffs are essentially import taxes. When companies import lumber from the U.S., they must pay 25% more now. To remain profitable, manufacturers must increase the price of cabinet doors and other wood products that use this imported lumber.

Even if a supplier sources lumber from within Canada, domestic prices may still rise due to increased demand. More businesses will compete for Canadian-sourced lumber, pushing up costs.

What This Means for You

As long as these tariffs remain in effect, you should expect:

  • Price increases on all wood products, including cabinet doors, dovetail drawer boxes, and mouldings.
  • Quotes no longer being valid for long periods due to fluctuating lumber costs.
  • Bulk orders become more expensive as material costs increase.

Cabinet Door Suppliers Like Cutting Edge May Increase Prices

Cabinet door suppliers, including Cutting Edge, must adapt to the increased cost of materials. However, if the Canadian and US governments de-escalate the tariffs, costs will likely stay the same.

Price Adjustments at Cutting Edge

If there is no de-escalation of the tariffs between Canada and the US, our team will need to adjust our pricing. 

As we’re committed to continue providing high-quality products without compromising service, we will continue to monitor the tariffs. In the event that the tariffs remain in effect by March 12, 2025, we will implement a price increase. 

We’re committed to keeping adjustments as minimal as possible. However, some increases will be unavoidable, and we appreciate your understanding. 

We will continue to:

  • Monitor lumber prices to determine if price increases are necessary.
  • Notify customers of any major price adjustments.
  • Offer alternative products (such as NEXGEN™ cabinet doors) that may be less affected by tariffs.

Planning for Future Price Changes

The price of cabinet doors will remain fluid as lumber costs fluctuate. If the tariffs stay in place long-term, we may see continuous, incremental price increases in the coming months.

What You Can Do:

  • Order sooner rather than later to lock in current pricing.
  • Consider alternative materials that aren’t affected as much.
  • Subscribe to Cutting Edge’s newsletter to keep up-to-date with pricing changes.
Don't miss out! Get notified about new blog posts and web content.

Other Impacts of the Canadian Lumber Tariffs

The increased cost of cabinet doors isn’t the only effect of the lumber tariffs. Here’s what else to expect:

  1. Shorter quote validity. Often, quotes for cabinet doors remained valid for several weeks. However, suppliers may shorten quote validity periods to protect against sudden cost increases.
  2. Price volatility. Even after an initial price adjustment, prices could continue to rise as the cost of lumber climbs. Contractors should prepare for unpredictable pricing shortly.
  3. Potential supply chain delays. Increased demand for Canadian-sourced lumber may cause longer lead times as suppliers compete for limited materials. Planning projects in advance will be more important than ever.

What Lumber Products Did Canadian Lumber Tariffs Affect?

The 25% tariff applies to many lumber products imported from the U.S. These tariffs impact key materials used in cabinet door manufacturing, affecting availability, pricing, and production timelines.

According to the official government announcement, the affected products include:

  • Softwood lumber: a primary material in many cabinet doors and wood components.
  • Plywood and veneer sheets: often used for cabinet backs, shelving, and panel doors.
  • MDF (medium-density fiberboard) panels used in painted cabinet doors and detailed designs.
  • Particleboard and engineered wood used in affordable cabinetry and furniture components.
  • Hardwood lumber varieties, including oak, maple, cherry, and walnut.

The Canadian government has published a full list of the affected products.

A worker pulling lumber from a storage rack. The Canadian lumber tariffs will affect prices of most wood products due to increased demand for domestic materials.

How This Affects You

Expect price increases if your preferred cabinet material is on this list. The 25% tariff adds significant costs for suppliers who import these materials. These expenses will be evident in the price of finished cabinet doors and wood products. Even if your supplier sources domestic lumber, prices may rise as demand shifts from U.S. imports to local sources.

Additionally, alternative materials may become harder to obtain. As contractors and manufacturers seek to avoid high-tariff imports, Canadian-sourced lumber will see increased demand. The increase in demand may lead to shortages, longer lead times, and further price hikes. Even if you’re not purchasing U.S. lumber, Canadian materials may become less available or more expensive due to supply pressures.

For custom cabinet doors, pricing for specialized wood species and unique designs could rise even more sharply. If a particular wood variety becomes difficult to source, manufacturers may have to adjust their pricing structures or offer alternative materials. Clients requesting specific grains, colours, or wood species may need to be flexible in their choices to keep costs manageable.

In summary:

  • Expect price hikes for cabinet doors and related wood products.
  • Canadian-sourced wood may become harder to obtain due to increased demand.
  • Customization costs could rise if certain wood species become scarce.
  • Plan ahead – ordering sooner may help secure materials before further price increases.

What’s Next for Cabinet Makers and Contractors?

The Canadian lumber tariffs will increase the cost of cabinet doors and other wood products. At Cutting Edge, we’re committed to minimizing price changes as much as possible while ensuring you still receive high-quality, reliable products.

For now:

  • Review your upcoming projects and adjust budgets accordingly. 
  • Place orders sooner rather than later to lock in current pricing.
  • Stay informed – we’ll continue monitoring and updating pricing based on market conditions.

And yes, lumber prices have a major impact on the cost of cabinet doors. Learn how much the lumber type affects the cost of cabinet doors.

Your Next Step To Working With Cutting Edge Download your guide to working with Cutting Edge for information about ordering, contractor accounts, pricing, lumber grades, and more.