Is our kitchen budget too small?

t_obermory

kirstypea wrote: »

Are the cheap units lasting ok? I see your point, but I wonder if perhaps the actual units are the bit that takes the most abuse in the long run? I'd rather replace cheap doors and have units that last, than have to keep replacing the units, if you see what I mean? Or are the cheap ones of equal quality, but cheaper cos they don't have a fancy finish? I'm a bit clueless when it comes to kitchens!

The price is reflected in the carcass. I've got a Focus kitchen and the carcasses are c**p the backboards bow and don't stay in place, the bottoms of the units sag where heavy stuff's been on them. Personally if you can afford a solid wood carcass instead of particleboard or whatever it is they use then definatly go for it. Its much easier to replace a door on a sound carcass than replace the carcass.

Meepster

Erm, I think solid wood carcases are a bit extreme. All you need is an 18mm MFC carcase, which has an 18mm solid back panel (preferably with service gap). Then you make sure you have Blum hinges (not cheap, crappy generic ones) and even if you do need to change the door somewhere down the road, the hinges will still be perfectly attached to the carcase...