8 Things You Should Never Buy From Menards

Like Lowe's and The Home Depot, Menards is a one-stop shop for appliances, hardware, lumber, furniture, tools, and other supplies you need for home renovations. Headquartered in Wisconsin, it has developed a cult following across the Midwest with its promise of convenience and big savings.

But here's the thing: While there are many Menards items that will give you great value, some won't. Indeed, when certain products retail for dirt-cheap prices, there's a strong chance that their quality isn't the best. But before you say, "You get what you pay for," remember, you didn't sign up for the product to fall apart right after you got home — or after a few uses.

So, to spare you future frustrations and budget overruns, House Digest interviewed three experts to get their exclusive insights on items not worth buying from Menards. Paints, outdoor furniture, pre-fab cabinets, lumber, hardwood, paint strippers, and tools all made the list. Read on to find out why you should cut these items from your next shopping haul to Menards, and what to buy instead.

Imagine spending the weekend painting your walls with a roller over and over, trying to achieve perfectly even coverage — and failing anyway. Unfortunately, that's precisely what might be in store for you when you pick up any of the cheap paints from Menards. "The budget paints at Menards might seem like a deal, but you'll end up paying more in the long run," says Chris Turner, outdoor designer and founder of Elevate By Design, in an exclusive House Digest interview. "They tend to have poor coverage, requiring multiple coats, and the finish often doesn't hold up well over time."

To Menards' credit, they have posted a detailed paint selection buying guide on their website, where it's mentioned that brands like Pittsburgh Ultra, Dutch Boy Duraclean, and Dutch Boy Forever don't have great coverage and stain resistance. Yet, it's easy to overestimate their performance or underestimate the amount of coats required when they retail for $17 per gallon. 

While you could look for the more expensive variants in Menards' aisles, like Pittsburgh Grand Distinction or Paramount, Turner advises against it. "Investing in a higher-quality brand from a specialty paint store will save you time and frustration," he says. Painting is one of the renovation projects you can DIY in a weekend, so, to make sure you're not left still rolling coats on a Monday night, trade the paint from Menards for cans from Behr or Benjamin Moore.

Menards stores can be convenient, with display boards presenting different wood types with samples and prices so you can see what your options are at a glance and easily compare them. To sweeten the deal, the chain allows individuals to drive by lumber storage and pick out the desired stock. However, this process is quite complicated. First, you must share your requirements with the construction counter at the back. Then, you'll have to pay at the front counter. Finally, you can proceed to the lumber barn in the back lot. 

You might not mind this if you're undertaking a significant renovation, but it feels a little excessive for small projects. Worse, the quality of the lumber can be "hit or miss," CEO and Owner of FoamOrder Mike Handelsman exclusively tells House Digest. "I never buy any lumber at Menards, even if I'm in a fix. Even the 'premium' grade lumber is sometimes warped or damaged, which is very disheartening."

Plus, the wood typing system isn't always standardized, which Menards chalks up to the availability of different wood species in the market. This could potentially result in lumber that's more of an approximation than a strict match to the standards. This is problematic because, "if you're building something sturdy, you need wood that's reliable," says Handelsman. If you are forced to shop for lumber at Menards, sort through the boards available (or even see if you can cut open a new bundle of unopened boards so you get first pick). Alternatively, hit your local lumber yards for superior wood (and more consistent grain patterns and color matching), though you may have to spend some time milling them down to the desired shape and size.

Unlike most big box retailers, Menards offers a greater diversity of wood species in its hardwoods, such as alder, maple, red oak, walnut, hickory, and more. However, the chain's hardwood does poorly in other areas, including utility and cost. Put simply, your hardwood plank or board must be suitably thick, so you can install it according to your design requirements or make up for any mistakes. But Menards' hardwood "typically comes pre-milled down to ¾ of an inch thick," says Handelsman. "This doesn't leave much room for adjustments like jointing or planing."

Another off-putting factor is the way most of the chain's hardwood is individually cellophane-wrapped, allegedly because it keeps the planks straight by limiting moisture exposure. But underneath the wrapping, you may discover a set of poorly glue-bonded wood pieces (especially with wider planks) that are actually laminations, rather than solid pieces.

Experienced woodworkers also say the wrapping can be a red flag when it comes to the price. While Menards' offerings are much cheaper than the hardwood from its big-box competitors, for larger projects you may be better off purchasing from a dedicated hardwood dealer. Buying from locally operating sawmills (or even Facebook Marketplaces) can also be economical, even if you lack the tools to start woodworking at home and have to pay someone to finish the boards.

Whether you're trying to refurbish a wooden cabinet or rehab the walls of your century home that have been repainted too many times to count, you'll need paint strippers for the task. But Handelsman advises against procuring them from Menards, saying, "I'm not a big fan of the paint strippers. It's less about it being bad and more about it being inconsistent."

Before you argue that it wouldn't hurt to use more elbow grease to loosen the remaining paint, remember: You need consistently thick strippers for vertical applications. Otherwise, they won't bond well with the paint, making the whole exercise futile. 

Handelsman adds that some paint strippers at Menards are so poorly made that you might notice them leaving behind unsightly residues. This will certainly make the scraping exercise harder instead of easier. What should you do instead? Run to any specialty paint store (or log onto your Amazon account) and buy the best paint removers for stripping any material. Examples include Max Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper, known for its ease of application, and Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover, which is indoor-safe but entails more work.

It's no secret that upgrading cabinets is usually the most expensive part of any kitchen remodel. Not to mention time-consuming, if you're customizing the layout and DIY-ing the installation. So, when Menards dangles the "big savings" carrot by offering pre-fabricated cabinets at bargain prices, homeowners on a budget are likely to perk up their ears. But be warned, Menards' prefab cabinet options may not be the most hardwearing, especially in wet areas.  

"While their cabinets might look good on the surface, the materials are often lower quality," says Turner. Indeed, customers complain about the boxes arriving with banged-up corners — or worse, sans the requisite parts. Besides Menards not having all that many options, some cabinets even face alignment issues and require additional cutting. Plus, "Particleboard construction and thin veneers don't hold up to daily wear and tear, especially in kitchens or bathrooms where humidity is a factor," adds Turner. For this reason, he recommends looking elsewhere for more durable (and superior quality) products. "Custom or semi-custom cabinets from a specialty store or contractor are a much better investment," he says. That way, you can also support local businesses without concerning yourself with quality.

Alternatively, if you don't want to go the custom cabinet route, IKEA's prefab kitchen options might be a more solid pick. They've racked up a strong reputation for being hardwearing, long-lasting, and highly modular. What's more a 10-foot-by-10-foot set of IKEA kitchen cabinetry can cost less than $2,000 (depending on the fronts you choose) and the prices are comparative with those of Menards'.

Whether your room is inviting or sterile often boils down to lighting. The right fixtures on accent walls or personalized curios will make the room come alive, teeming with character and personality. But if you mount inexpensively-priced features, such as those from Menards, be prepared to splurge on them again in a few years. You and the interior decor world will outgrow them quickly. 

"Some of the cheaper lighting options at Menards can be poorly made and look dated quickly," says Turner. "Wiring and materials might not meet the quality standards you'd want for safety and longevity." This is particularly pertinent in wet spaces like bathrooms or mudrooms, where moisture may react with metal coatings and degrade them.

Patriot Lighting, a brand found exclusively on Menards, has received plenty of negative reviews. Customers say that since the fixtures are cheaply made, they don't hold up well. Many add that the built-in LED lights don't last long, despite promises of longevity. Turner suggests looking elsewhere, saying "It's worth spending a little more for timeless, well-crafted fixtures." Other outlets to consider include Build With Ferguson, Rejuvenation, and West Elm. If you're looking for something more affordable, explore Ikea, Wayfair, Lamps Plus, or your local Habitat for Humanity ReStores.

Outdoor furniture takes a lot of abuse from intense sun rays, heavy downpours, temperature fluctuations, etc. So, it's vital to look for durable furnishings that will hold up season after season. Alas, Menards may not always be your best bet for such pieces. "Their lower-end outdoor furniture often doesn't withstand the elements well," Turner says. "Fading, rusting, and warping can happen within a season or two, making it a poor long-term investment."

If you scour online reviews, you'll likely chance upon disgruntled customers sharing about cushions discoloring within a year. Or complaints about the furniture, including patio tables, fire pits, and hanging chairs being unsteady and breaking prematurely. This can make them unsafe in busy areas, especially if your household includes children, seniors, and furry friends.

Given that, Turner advises paying attention to the material before the price tag. "Look for outdoor furniture made from durable materials like teak or powder-coated aluminum instead," he says. They'll last longer and give you a better return on investment, since you won't have to replace them frequently.

Interestingly, all three experts are united when it comes to Menards' cheaper power tools. Handelsman says, "As tempting as it may be (especially since they cost next to nothing), avoid their cheap tools. Especially those made in China." While the tools are appealing price-wise, you'll end up replacing them after only a few uses, he adds. 

Turner voices similar concerns, saying "Their bargain power tools are usually not built to last. They lack the durability and precision you need for serious DIY or home improvement projects." Andrew Holden, founder of Helpful Home Group, is the only expert to make an exception — and it's not for Menards' exclusive brands. "I don't buy any tools from Menards unless it is Bosch," he exclusively tells House Digest. "The tools are low quality and will break during normal use."

In short, Menards tools are notorious budget-busters in disguise and should be traded out for better alternatives. After all, you don't want them failing mid-project, forcing another trip to the store. "If you're serious about your projects, go for brands that offer quality over cost-cutting gimmicks," says Handelsman. Milwaukee, STIHL, Klein Tools, and Channellock are leading contenders and can be found at The Home Depot and Lowe's. Alternatively, you can consider industrial suppliers or online marketplaces.