New Kitchen advice please

john-306

Hi, I've just started looking into purchasing a new kitchen, I've read loads of posts and am looking at diy-kitchens website.
There are quite a few styles that appeal but would like some advise on the quality of the units.
Melamine MFC, 18mm Thick, Matt Textured Finish
Lacquered MDF, 18mm Thick, Gloss Finish.
Acrylic Faced MDF, 19mm Thick, Gloss Finish
Painted MDF, 19mm Thick, Smooth Painted Finish.
Lacquered MDF, 22mm Thick, Smooth Painted Finish

Given the price difference isn't that horrendous between the cheapest to the dearest which one would be the better lasting, given that the kitchen that we have inherited with the house move a few years ago is peeling all over the place.
Many thanks for any input.

Ramona123

Hi John, there is a page on their site that explains the differences http://advice.diy-kitchens.com/customer-questions/can-you-explain-what-the-kitchen-door-materials-are/ but the “best” one is hard to say. Anything painted, will over time, start to scuff, just like having a car where you’ve scuffed it with your jean studs as you’ve brushed passed it many times.
If you want it to last forever and get better with age then a plain oak shaker is what I would go for.

Furts

Another vote for a solid timber door. Not only are they ever lasting you cannot get pealing, bubbling, chipping or whatever. Your choice on timber and style be they beech, oak, ash, pine. Also if you choose something plain, or classic, they do not date. I have removed solid doors from kitchens put in 30 years ago and the kitchens still look in excellent shape, and some still look modern - they have never dated.

john-306

Thanks both.
RamonaI looked on their website for that info but obviously missed it, cheers for the link, I'll have a good read later.
But generally all those I asked about wouldn't be suitable for longevity?

d0nkeyk0ng

Have you tried ordering samples? DIY Kitchens will send out free samples which you can take a closer look at. They're about 6x4 inches.

john-306

d0nkeyk0ng wrote: »

Have you tried ordering samples? DIY Kitchens will send out free samples which you can take a closer look at. They're about 6x4 inches.

Good idea thanks, unfortunately even if I ordered samples I wouldn't know how it will hold up after a number of years. I thought I'd ask the experts on here then take a long trip to the showroom.

john-306

Ok, I've read up on info given thanks.
I suppose I should have said the wife wants a white kitchen, looking at the solid wood type they are all painted, with veneer centre panel, which was said could look scuffed with age.
So it's either get her to change her mind on colour (not likely) or go for a painted or lacquered type, which I'm reluctant to do given the compromises.
Any thoughts?

Furts

john-306 wrote: »

Ok, I've read up on info given thanks.
I suppose I should have said the wife wants a white kitchen, looking at the solid wood type they are all painted, with veneer centre panel, which was said could look scuffed with age.
So it's either get her to change her mind on colour (not likely) or go for a painted or lacquered type, which I'm reluctant to do given the compromises.
Any thoughts?

You have to buy what you are happy with. But also consider your lifestyle and attitude to care and maintenance. People complain about poor quality vinyl wrapped doors bubbling. Equally the suppliers could complain about those consumers not wiping splashes off the doors, or allowing the draining board to allow water down the door faces. All doors will last, but some will last longer and all should be treated with care, respect, and kept dry.

A white kitchen is fashionable, but for a reason. This reason is a deliberate desire by the kitchen industry to rapidly date the designs and make them obsolete. Within 10 years visitors to your home will be thinking how dreadful, how dated and how ugly your white kitchen is. They would not be saying the same about a timber door in a light colour. This would be deemed "classic" or "traditional" or "timeless". Of course the kitchen sales people do not want me saying that, nor you thinking like that. If that were the case the kitchen industry would start loosing huge chunks of consumers money.

john-306

Furts, that's the kind of info I was looking for.
Thank you for taking time to reply.
Appreciated.

Silvertabby

Another vote for solid oak.

Our kitchen is now 12 years old and still looks like new - even though we had a minor drama involving a burning tea-towel and the oak unit immediately under the hob (don't ask). As it was solid oak, we were able to get the burnt bit repaired. This wouldn't have been possible with foil/lacquered etc.