Kitchen expert needed!

majjie

Sorry clairehi - this is turning into an argument between me and woodbutcher - even though we are both trying to be helpful to you.

I'm sure woodbutcher knows what he's talking about when it comes to the quality of builders supplies and fitting kitchens. I don't, though, think what he's saying is at all helpful to a member of the public trying to choose a kitchen.

Medite is a trade name for MDF - you won't get your carcasses made from that - unless you go a lot further up market and more expensive.

Caberboard is the trade name of a raw chipboard ... and, incidentally, they use the the grades P1 - P7 that I mentioned:

"Caberfloor P4 grade for (dry) interior domestic flooring
Caberfloor P5 Moisture Resistant flooring for new build housing
Caberdek P5 Moisture Resistant flooring with slip-resistant, peel-clean weather protection
Caberboard P1/2/3 grades for general use including kitchen worktops"

No kitchen companies use raw chipboard - they buy in melamine faced chipboard (MFC). Companies like PWS (the supplier of Second Nature kitchen doors) specify which MFCs match their doors. These are made by companies like Egger, Kronospan, Hornitex, Depalor and others. Each of these companies buys in different grades of chipboard - but they still use the the P grades.

Kronospan, for instance recommends P2 grade for kitchens. Egger uses P2 as standard but says that P3 is available.

I'm not saying the quality of chipboard is "not relevant" to the quality of the kitchen. I'm just saying it's not a very useful thing for a member of the public to be looking for. Very cheap kitchens like B&Q's "It" range and Wickes "Take Away" range - probably use low quality chipboard - that's one of the reasons they're cheap. What more do you need to know. There are only two grades you're likely to come across in a reasonable quality, modular kitchen from a national supplier - P2 and P3!

Edited to add:

P.S - do let us know how you get on!

woodbutcher_2

I'm not arguing with anyone,merely trying to help.Look at niche kitchens on google if you want to know what i'm talking about.They advertise as only using the highest quality Eggar chipboard and state the 1-10 grading system.

We work at opposite ends of the process majjie.Let's just say we both have worthwhile points and leave it at that.

Good luck with your search clairehi.

clairehi

Quote from MFI came in at £10K for Kelmscott oak kitchen units (18 in total), plinths, end bits but not including any appliances, worktop etc - and thats after the 70% discount! According to the sales rep all the plinths, decor panels &c are def. wood veneer not plastic foil which is why they are so expensive.

I just said to the sales guy, Im afraid you are not even close and we'll be off to Wickes then - he said he would try and match a quote from them but I doubt it.
Priced up equivalent number of Wickes Melbourne units, plinth, decor panels myself and it came to less than 5K. Hey ho! Mr Wickes will be round to measure in a couple of days then we'll see.

majjie

Sorry to hear that the Kelmscott turned out too pricey - did they let you keep the plan?

I don't particularly want to argue with you, woodbutcher ... but you fitters/cabinetmakers so often have a holier than thou attitude towards designers/salespeople. There are clueless designers about - the same as there are bad kitchen fitters about - but some of us do know what we're talking about.

As for Niche Kitchens - I don't think I'd take their word as gospel. Sorry if the owner is a mate of yours - but it sounds like pseudo-scientific gobbledegook to me. They're relatively new to the kitchen business and they can't even spell Egger.

woodbutcher_2

Majjie,you doth protest too much.

I had never heard of niche kitchens 'til i did a google search.Just the first one i came across as an example of a company who know the importance of using good quality materials.Perhaps their sales spiel is gobbledegook but at least they are trying.I think(without checking) they are in Lancashire and i live on the opposite side of the country,so absolutely no connection.

I do however,know someone locally who manufactures kitchens professionally and it was him who pointed out to me the difference in materials,something i was not aware of previously.I wouldn't however promote his company as it isn't appropriate and he doesn't need the work anyway.I admit to not knowing the specific grading system,p1 p2 whatever,so forgive my ignorance of that.I was merely trying to pass on knowledge i have learned working in the trade.

I am sure you are good at your job and i never suggested otherwise.I know the importance of a well planned kitchen and have lost count of the ones i have had to redesign on the job.The bulk of my kitchen fitting is usually for people who have already bought one designed by one of the big stores.The last one i did however had been measured and designed properly and went together like a dream so i understand the importance of your work.Sorry if you think i have a holier than thou attitude,it wasn't my intention.

Julieannexx

We bought a Kemlmscott Oak kitchen from MFI (and love it) we left a space in the kitchen to have a sofa and tv, but now that the kitchen is finished we have realised the space isn;t big enough.
So last weekend we decided to get more Kemscott Oak cupboards - which we were going to order this weekend.

But now MFI have gone into administration !!!!

So my question is - does anyone know where you can get the MFI ranges outside of MFI?
I doubt MFI have any surplus stock because there was an 8 week delivery time - but even the wood would help !!!
Or is it worth contacting the store to see if I can get some cupboards from the display kitchen?