Building the Right Kitchen For You

Choosing the right kind of kitchen should not ultimately come down to budget. If you have a very limited budget and usually don’t cook meals or spend very little time in the kitchen, then a budget kitchen may suit you.

Most people however want a kitchen that is designed and built well that will stand the test of time and the wear and tear of everyday use. If you are in this category then the quality of the kitchen manufacturer and their production techniques will be key to the final result.

It is very important to ask prospective kitchen companies about the manufacturing details of their product. The use of different techniques and materials can make the difference between a kitchen lasting 3 - 5 years and 20 - 25 years. To back this up, most reputable companies will offer a warranty period which will relate in large part to the quality that they build in to the product. (Be aware however of the age of the business and their production experience to judge for yourself if their warranty is worth the paper it is printed on!)

Important things to look out for are the use of water and moisture resistant materials. All polyurethane doors should be made from High Moisture Resistant Medium Density Fiberboard (HMR, MDF ). Some manufacturers will also use materials such as marine plywood for highly wet areas like kickboards, sink cabinets and laundry cabinets.

Metal hardware should have appropriate coating to resist corrosion and should at the very least the same warranty period as the cabinetry.

Benchtop materials should be stain and wear resistant and be manufactured in a way so as to avoid flex and stress in the material. This is particularly important when using materials like natural stone, Caesarstone and Corian which all must have adequate support to avoid any joints opening up.

The best way to determine if a kitchen manufacturer is really producing the quality you are looking for is to inspect their factory and see some jobs and product details first hand. Any reputable company should welcome this request and be proud to display the fine points of their business.