Buy cheap and buy twice - new house

shell820810

Hi

Building a new house.
Want to have opinions on the kitchen and interior. Originally wanted to have a cream solid oak kitchen, with granite. Have been put off the idea of the cream chipping with small children about. So decided that solid oak or walnut would be a more practical option. Someone however has suggested just going with a cheap PVC kitchen and replacing in 8 - 10 years, instead of 15 - 20 years with the solid wood.

The also applies for things like skirting boards as well. Had originally thought solid oak, but maybe MDF would suffice.

We are just starting our family so the house will get a bit of abuse over the next 10 years, but it easier to do it right now when we have a lump sum from the mortgage, than dip into savings to do it in 10 years time.

Any thoughts?

Doozergirl

You won't replace skirting boards for a very long time, if ever.

Whether you will want to replace the kitchen depends on you. Are you the sort who would be happy to live with it when it goes out of fashion or do you like to update things?

There's all sorts in between cheap PVC and solid oak. Oak doors...

Painted kitchens can be repainted...

Dave_J_3

if you feel that the house will be abused over the next 10 years, then will it be wise paying top dollar for a nice kitchen, expecting it to last 20 years but appears worn/damaged within 10, could you live with it for the remaining 10 years?

I've seen a £2k kitchen look just as nice as a £14k one (cottage type style). Obviously the latter was solid doors and posh handles etc, but it depends how you will use it.

With regards to skirtings I have just replaced mine with MDF and so far im very happy. I got the pre-primed, given a further undercoat and x2 top coats and they look great. No knots, warping etc but cannot comment of longevity

Good luck with your build

Kaz2904

Our kitchen was a cheap DIY shed job. It's been in for 7 years and the doors are all dropped and squeaky. The doors are delaminating along the bottoms, the insides are splitting and it really needs to be replaced.
If you will have to pay for fitting then it would be better to get the decent finish solid quality one. Personally, I feel that solid wood only improves as it ages.
When it comes to skirting and architrave, we have got on well with preprinted MDF. It will be a nightmare to replace though so you will always have to have painted skirting.

westmidsguy

I've recently been looking at skirting. I was also looking for MDF but i found that mdfskirtingworld use a material called HDF. I had no idea what this was at first, but it's basically a better version of MDF. Just thought i'd jump in as i came across this after googling for skirting

DTDfanBoy

westmidsguy wrote: »

I've recently been looking at skirting. I was also looking for MDF but i found that spamskirting use a material called spam. I had no idea what this was at first, but it's basically a better version of MDF. Just thought i'd jump in as i came across this after googling for skirting

Spam reported

Clive_Woody

westmidsguy wrote: »

I've recently been looking at skirting. I was also looking for MDF but i found that mdfskirtingworld use a material called HDF. I had no idea what this was at first, but it's basically a better version of MDF. Just thought i'd jump in as i came across this after googling for skirting

MDF = Medium Density Fibreboard

HDF = High Density Fibreboard

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardboard

Hintza

As above you will never change the skirting so buy what you want. Personally having just built a house a wish we had oak instead of painted pine, it is going to be a pain in the !!! long term.

lardlikesdogs

westmidsguy wrote: »

I've recently been looking at skirting. I was also looking for MDF but i found that mdfskirtingworld use a material called HDF. I had no idea what this was at first, but it's basically a better version of MDF. Just thought i'd jump in as i came across this after googling for skirting

Not mdfskirtingworld based in the west midlands ? is that the one westmidsguy ? :rotfl:

westmidsguy

lardlikesdogs wrote: »

Not mdfskirtingworld based in the west midlands ? is that the one westmidsguy ? :rotfl:

That's the one. I take it you've ordered from them?