Looking for a new kitchen

jonsi_2

I've started the search for a new kitchen and have had quotes for Siematic and Hacker systemat. Siematic are more expensive and I wondered if anyone had experience of either manufacturer and how they compare?

What I'm looking for is a handleless design in matt white. The Hacker kitchen was for a matt lacquer and the Siematic was for a matt laminate. The difference in price wasnt actually that large but then laminate is a lower spec finish.

Do I go for the higher spec Hacker kitchen or the lower spec Siematic? Or do i keep on looking!

I'd appreciate any advice.

evokit

Always go for a lacquer over a laminate.
most laminates are pvc/abs edge also, not as nice finish... if there almost like for like in cost go for the better

ryder72

Siematic is a more upmarket brand and will always cost more than Hacker SYstemat. Its not a real like-for-like comparison. You should be comparing Hacker Emotion to Siematic to make it fairer.

Siematic comes with higher spec on it as well.

Lacquer will always be nicer looking and to touch than laminate but laminate is more durable. Check to ensure that your are paying on lacquered MDF rather than lacquer on foil and this is more durable and nicer looking (and more expensive) but it needs to be a fair like for like comparison.

There is nothing wrong with Hacker Systemat BTW, but at this price point there are several other brands you can look at.

jonsi_2

The comparison really is based on price. With my budget I can get a low spec (ie laminate) Siematic kitchen or a high spec (ie lacquered) Hacker kitchen. Everything else would be pretty much the same.

I have no idea with German kitchens if you are paying just for the name or if you really do get better quality as you go from the mid range manufacturers to the higher end. Ie what are the actual differences between Systemat and Hacker cabinets? Or is it just that Siematic has a more expensive brochure!

Leif

I have never seen these kitchens, but I am just relaying something told to me on this forum by a kitchen designer when I asked if German kitchens are better. Apparently some -0 but not all - are. Most kitchens are MFC (Melamine Faced Chipboard), and the melamine layer is very thin, you can even feel the lumps of glue beneath. B&Q, Magnet, Optiplan etc are like that. It means they are not that strong. I have seen low end kitchens where the melamine is peeling off. Some German kitchen have a much thicker layer of melamine (on the edges anyway), and it is glued on much more securely, so the result is a more durable unit. You can see something similar with office tables which are more durable. So that MIGHT be a difference. Hopefully someone who knows will add to this. Apparently Germans often take their kitchens with them when they move house, which explains the high build quality. (I'm sure I am not dreaming that up!)

Jaynne

Leif wrote: »

Apparently Germans often take their kitchens with them when they move house, which explains the high build quality. (I'm sure I am not dreaming that up!)

I was told the same thing by a company, the average one used to be made for three moves!

Housing in a lot of places in Europe is totally different to the UK though with long term lets that you have to leave freshly painted being common. To be honest given the house prices in this country its a model we should be looking at.

ryder72

To an extent you are paying for the branding. But that brand comes with higher spec as standard, better finishing, better attention to detail etc.

That said, if you can get a lacquered door for the price of the laminate door and as long as the lacquer quality is the same (I doubt it as I know Siematic do a very high quality lacquered door) do with the lacquered door.