Kitchen unit and worktop advice please?

alex_163163

Hello,
I've had a search of previous threads but most of the relevant ones were 2-3 years old so I'm hoping people have some more current advice. My questions are two-fold:

1. BA kitchens (Wilton doors) vs LochAnna kitchens (clarkwell, grained or opaco doors). Not expecting actual direct comparisons but any experience/ advice on either would be welcome please? Are either good, solid, durable units and doors?

2. Work tops - Bushboard laminate (antique paladina) vs Minerva (copper fleck). Anyone have experience with either? I've had a different laminate in a previous kitchen and was fine. Never looked at the Minerva / acrylic type work surfaces before - I've read some downsides to do with heat resistance and scratching, particularly of the darker colours, but any other feedback would be appreciated?

Also just to sneak in....
3. Any other kitchen manufacturers I should be look at for units and doors?

Thanks in advance!

Furts

You need to establish who Lochanna are. My guess is this is a brand name for a local kitchen shop. Who makes them? It could be cheaper going direct to the manufacturer and cutting out the mark up.

Again a guess, but I doubt they are much different from countless other kitchens on the market. What makes you want them? Note whatever these features are and shop around for the same quality.

Adopt a similar mindset for BA.

But you have asked are either "good, solid, durable units and doors". The answer is you scrutinise examples of these. Look at the chipboard thickness, the back board construction, and the top construction and you will soon tell. As for the doors, one vital is to avoid vinyl wraps.

SuzieSue

Do a search on this forum for DIY-kitchens. Lots of people including me have used them.

Annie1960

Yes, another vote for diy-kitchens.com kitchen. Still waiting for the worktop which has just been templated.

Regarding laminate worktop, I was considering this, and one of the good ones seems to be Duropal. The only reason I didn't get this was because I had a curve one one corner, and the fitter said it would never look right, so a templated worktop was best.