Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

Everyone has their opinions about the differences in quality/cost ratio
between B&Q/Wickes, Kitchen Direct (middle of the market) and Poggenpohl
(top), but what actually is the difference between the B&Q type and say a
KItchens Direct. They have all thi stuff about quality of the carcase and
materials but is this really so important? They have 95% density boards and
claim that B&Q has 55% density. Does it really matter or not? Will a heavy
door end up falliing off a B&Q cabinet if it puts strain on the carcase?

MY original view is that its how well the kitchen is installed and carcases
assmebled that matters and not what material the carcase is made of, but
this is probably wrong.

Any tips on where I can buy units which will be best performance/price
ratio. I want a kitchen to last 10 years and had been thinking of a
B&Q/Wickes level spend and getting good quality doors on a standard
carcaase. Is there any good alternative or would these be good enough.

Many thanks

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

"Lamb" wrote in message
...
Everyone has their opinions about the differences in quality/cost ratio
between B&Q/Wickes, Kitchen Direct (middle of the market) and Poggenpohl
(top), but what actually is the difference between the B&Q type and say a
KItchens Direct. They have all thi stuff about quality of the carcase and
materials but is this really so important? They have 95% density boards
and
claim that B&Q has 55% density. Does it really matter or not? Will a
heavy
door end up falliing off a B&Q cabinet if it puts strain on the carcase?

MY original view is that its how well the kitchen is installed and
carcases
assmebled that matters and not what material the carcase is made of, but
this is probably wrong.

Any tips on where I can buy units which will be best performance/price
ratio. I want a kitchen to last 10 years and had been thinking of a
B&Q/Wickes level spend and getting good quality doors on a standard
carcaase. Is there any good alternative or would these be good enough.

I've used mid price range B&Q uints in two kitchens and have had no reason
to regret the choice. The current kitchen is about 7 years old and nothing
has broken / looks tatty yet.

Colin Bignell

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

"Lamb" wrote in message
...
Everyone has their opinions about the differences in quality/cost ratio
between B&Q/Wickes, Kitchen Direct (middle of the market) and Poggenpohl
(top), but what actually is the difference between the B&Q type and say a
KItchens Direct. They have all thi stuff about quality of the carcase and
materials but is this really so important? They have 95% density boards
and
claim that B&Q has 55% density. Does it really matter or not? Will a
heavy
door end up falliing off a B&Q cabinet if it puts strain on the carcase?

MY original view is that its how well the kitchen is installed and
carcases
assmebled that matters and not what material the carcase is made of, but
this is probably wrong.

Any tips on where I can buy units which will be best performance/price
ratio. I want a kitchen to last 10 years and had been thinking of a
B&Q/Wickes level spend and getting good quality doors on a standard
carcaase. Is there any good alternative or would these be good enough.

Many thanks




I am currently replacing the doors, drawers, plinths etc in my kitchen and I
am using the it kitchen range from B&Q. I have also added some new
carcasses which are B&Q's own. I am overall impressed with the quality and
build of the B&Q carcasses and was particularly impressed with the premium
drawer liners that you can buy (although they are a bugger to put
together!!). I would say they are as good and if not better than the
Schreiber units in the kitchen already. With B&Q's up to half price on
their it doors at the moment I would hurry up if I was you. One tip
though - order it online because the delivery instore is 50 quid whereas
on-line its only 9.95.

I'm well impressed with all the items I have brought for the kitchen from
their range.


HTH

Andrew.



---
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Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

All carcases are made up of 5/8th chipboard. And the quality of that is
pretty standard as it's all made in the same place. Kronospan more than
likely.

The only differences in them are the amount of space from the back to
the wall. Good units allow you about 2" from the backing hardboard to
play with. The other difference is in the legs they use and the way the
plynthe fits.

If vfm is a deciding factor, your best bet is to find a small firm that
sells remaindered kitchens or bedrooms or both and has enough of the
stuff you fancy.

If you can find doors and fittings there that you like that's all you
will need. If not you will have to try a door from B&Q or wherever you
find a style you like. You don't have to buy them all in one place.
It's just a matter of getting replacements or extras after the initial
sale that you must be careful of.


--
Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

"Andrew Simpson" wrote in message ...
"Lamb" wrote in message
...
Everyone has their opinions about the differences in quality/cost ratio
between B&Q/Wickes, Kitchen Direct (middle of the market) and Poggenpohl
(top), but what actually is the difference between the B&Q type and say a
KItchens Direct. They have all thi stuff about quality of the carcase and
materials but is this really so important? They have 95% density boards
and
claim that B&Q has 55% density. Does it really matter or not? Will a
heavy
door end up falliing off a B&Q cabinet if it puts strain on the carcase?

MY original view is that its how well the kitchen is installed and
carcases
assmebled that matters and not what material the carcase is made of, but
this is probably wrong.

Any tips on where I can buy units which will be best performance/price
ratio. I want a kitchen to last 10 years and had been thinking of a
B&Q/Wickes level spend and getting good quality doors on a standard
carcaase. Is there any good alternative or would these be good enough.

Many thanks




I am currently replacing the doors, drawers, plinths etc in my kitchen and I
am using the it kitchen range from B&Q. I have also added some new
carcasses which are B&Q's own. I am overall impressed with the quality and
build of the B&Q carcasses and was particularly impressed with the premium
drawer liners that you can buy (although they are a bugger to put
together!!). I would say they are as good and if not better than the
Schreiber units in the kitchen already. With B&Q's up to half price on
their it doors at the moment I would hurry up if I was you. One tip
though - order it online because the delivery instore is 50 quid whereas
on-line its only 9.95.


Agreed, the B&Q range are excellent value for money, zero missing
parts, delivered in one drop when they said they would. I would
thoroughly recommend the premium drawer system and didn't find them
difficult at all. What do you see as the problem?

Delivery for web orders depends upon what you order. I paid £50. If
I'd spent a bit more on the kitchen, delivery would have been free.

The only problem is that stores will no longer order non-stock items
in for you - you have to accept (and possibly pay for) home delivery.
If you have a B&Q warehouse nearby I believe they stock the whole
range - I've never been dissappointed.

Andrew

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

In article , Andrew
wrote:
The only problem is that stores will no longer order non-stock
items in for you - you have to accept (and possibly pay for) home
delivery.
If you have a B&Q warehouse nearby I believe they stock the whole
range - I've never been dissappointed.

No, I'm just having to order an 800mm base via the website - £31 for
the base, £14.95 for delivery. I asked a very helpful guy at
Chiswick whether they couldn't just put on their next requisition
but he said that their system wouldn't let branches order non-stock
items. It's not the cost of delivery that irks, just having to hang
around on delivery day.

--
Tony Bryer SDA UK 'Software to build on' http://www.sda.co.uk
Free SEDBUK boiler database browser http://www.sda.co.uk/qsedbuk.htm

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

On Fri, 23 Jan 2004 00:51:52 +0000, Michael McNeil wrote:

All carcases are made up of 5/8th chipboard. And the quality of that is
pretty standard as it's all made in the same place. Kronospan more than
likely.

Sorry to disagree. The low end stuff is 16mm (5/8) bu the middle and upper
end of the market is 18mm. (The abysmal end of the market is 14mm -
eg Bolton & Paul from 1980s).



The only differences in them are the amount of space from the back to
the wall. Good units allow you about 2" from the backing hardboard to
play with. The other difference is in the legs they use and the way the
plynthe fits.

This depends on the manufactuer - the less space behind means more space in
the cupboard!
With proper planning and preparation before installing you should be able
to get all the services in the plinth space.


--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

Michael McNeil wrote in message
lgate.org...
All carcases are made up of 5/8th chipboard. And the quality of that is
pretty standard as it's all made in the same place.

Not quite. There can be a very significant difference in the grades of
chipboard used. You really notice the difference in heavily loaded shelves
in cabinets or cupboards. I've had to replace shelves in MFI cabinets of UK
manufacture with wood to keep them from collapsing ( they suffer from
increased droop with ageing!), but the old original MFI units which came
from East Germany are almost indestructible. I haven't any recent experience
of these products, but I have noticed that the design has changed to add
central supports as a stiffening aid from a number of manufacturers. Is
there a "Which" report to give a guide?

Regards
Capitol

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

No, I'm just having to order an 800mm base via the website - £31 for
the base, £14.95 for delivery. I asked a very helpful guy at
Chiswick whether they couldn't just put on their next requisition
but he said that their system wouldn't let branches order non-stock
items. It's not the cost of delivery that irks, just having to hang
around on delivery day.

Tony,
I think Chiswick was telling you porkies. On Saturday I was in the
Wandsworth B&Q and was able to place orders for several non-stock
kitchen lines as well as stock lines. I'm collecting them all from the
shop when they arrive. No delivery charges.
Perhaps you could try Wandsworth next time.
Will

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

"Lamb" wrote in message ...
Everyone has their opinions about the differences in quality/cost ratio
between B&Q/Wickes, Kitchen Direct (middle of the market) and Poggenpohl


I'm in the market and considering the same question. We're currently
looking at Magnet (who we used on our last home) and considering Arena
(which a friend has just had fitted). We've also looked at Alno but
were frightened off by the price.

Alno is beautifully finished but a rough calculation made it about
twice the price of Magnet. There was more choice of
units,(depth/height etc), door finish and handles but the key parts
that wear out IME (hinges and drawers) were indistiguishable.

Quality is more important than price I can't help but think that I
should be able to get Magnet quality or better for less money from a
company that doesnt spend so much on high street showrooms and press
adverts - does anyone have any recommendations?

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

In article ,
"Lamb" writes:
Everyone has their opinions about the differences in quality/cost ratio
between B&Q/Wickes, Kitchen Direct (middle of the market) and Poggenpohl
(top), but what actually is the difference between the B&Q type and say a
KItchens Direct. They have all thi stuff about quality of the carcase and
materials but is this really so important? They have 95% density boards and
claim that B&Q has 55% density. Does it really matter or not? Will a heavy
door end up falliing off a B&Q cabinet if it puts strain on the carcase?

MY original view is that its how well the kitchen is installed and carcases
assmebled that matters and not what material the carcase is made of, but
this is probably wrong.

Any tips on where I can buy units which will be best performance/price
ratio. I want a kitchen to last 10 years and had been thinking of a
B&Q/Wickes level spend and getting good quality doors on a standard
carcaase. Is there any good alternative or would these be good enough.

I've installed 2 full IKEA kitchens and I've used a couple of Wickes
units (or was it B&Q -- I forget now). The IKEA units seemed to be
better made, easier to assemble, and cost less. The one disadvantage of
the IKEA units is there's no space for pipework behind cupboards -- if
you know this in advance, you make sure you install all the pipework
at a height so it will be under the units. OTOH, you get deeper cupboards.
If I was doing another kitchen, I would not hesitate to use IKEA again.

Actually, I have also used IKEA kitchen units in a bathroom.
I had to cut them down as I wanted much shallower cupboards, but
they worked well for that, and at a very tiny fraction of the cost
of fitted bathroom units (which are ridiculously priced anyway,
and crap quality in comparison).

--
Andrew Gabriel

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

anthony james wrote:

"Lamb" wrote in message ...

Everyone has their opinions about the differences in quality/cost ratio
between B&Q/Wickes, Kitchen Direct (middle of the market) and Poggenpohl



I'm in the market and considering the same question. We're currently
looking at Magnet (who we used on our last home) and considering Arena
(which a friend has just had fitted). We've also looked at Alno but
were frightened off by the price.

Alno is beautifully finished but a rough calculation made it about
twice the price of Magnet. There was more choice of
units,(depth/height etc), door finish and handles but the key parts
that wear out IME (hinges and drawers) were indistiguishable.

Quality is more important than price I can't help but think that I
should be able to get Magnet quality or better for less money from a
company that doesnt spend so much on high street showrooms and press
adverts - does anyone have any recommendations?


Ive used magnet and arena, and hygena QA. Hygena best of budget, areana
top line of packflats IMHO.

Wouldn't touch Magnet ever again.

Kitchen Cabinet Quality Differences
 

The Natural Philosopher wrote in message ...

Ive used magnet and arena, and hygena QA. Hygena best of budget, areana
top line of packflats IMHO.
Wouldn't touch Magnet ever again.

Any particular reason? Our 5 year old Magnet kitchen still looked
really good but they've since dropped the 'welded' plastic corners on
the cabinets that made them really strong. I've always hated their
sales pitch with a continuous 50% sale and rip off prices for
essential small parts like end panels and plinths.

We're now looking at Arena (www.arena-kitchens.co.uk) after some
friends used them. As a brief summary the carcasses appear better
made being colour co-ordinated inside and out with solid tops and
backs. There's a large choice of doors, pricing is consistent (3m
plinths are c£25 rather the c£90 at magnet) and even the 'luxury'
internal fittings appear reasonably priced. Some rough calculations
last night made them about 75% of an equivalent Magnet kitchen for the
units. However, I hadn't yet haggled or got the freebie dishwasher
from Magnet so the difference is probably down to a few hundred but
for better quality.

Is this the same company you're talking of - all the units are built
rather than packflat.

The actual manufacturers of the Arena kitchens appear to be Mereway
and Multiwood.

AJ