Better than DIY Kitchens? Premium 18mm Rigid Units — Delivered Nationwide in 10 Working Days.
Rigid Built
Nationwide Delivery
Blum Soft Close
Explore Our Kitchen Styles
Not sure which style is right for you? Browse all six of our kitchen ranges below — click any image to see the full range and individual product options.
Handleless – Matt
Slab – Matt
Shaker – Foil
Handleless – Gloss
Slab – Gloss
Shaker – Painted
Why Homeowners Are Choosing SJB Over DIY Kitchens
If you have been researching kitchens online, you have almost certainly come across DIY Kitchens. They are a well-known brand with a large range and competitive pricing. But before you place your order, it is worth understanding exactly what you are getting — and where a kitchen specialist like SJB Trade Kitchens offers a genuinely better product.
SJB Trade Kitchens has been supplying kitchens for over 20 years. Steve Ball works directly with our manufacturer to offer made-to-order, rigid-built kitchen units that are supplied direct to your door — anywhere in the UK. Every kitchen is built to your exact specification, with bespoke sizing included as standard, not charged as an extra. And unlike the weeks-long wait you will experience with most suppliers, SJB delivers from as little as 10 working days.
We are not a warehouse operation or a faceless online retailer. When you order from SJB, you deal directly with Steve — a kitchen specialist with two decades of hands-on experience who will guide you through every step, from initial design to final delivery. That level of personal service simply does not exist with larger online-only suppliers.
Why 18mm Backs Matter — The Detail Most People Miss
Here is something most kitchen buyers never think to check: the thickness of the back panel on their cabinets. It sounds like a minor detail, but it is one of the most significant differences between a kitchen that lasts and one that does not.
DIY Kitchens, like most kitchen suppliers in the UK, use 6mm to 9mm back panels on their wall and base units. These thin backs are typically made from hardboard or thin MDF. They do the job of closing the back of the cabinet, but they contribute almost nothing to the structural rigidity of the unit. Over time, especially in base units that carry the weight of stone worktops, heavy appliances, and daily use, thin-backed cabinets can flex, rack, and lose their square. Once a cabinet goes out of square, doors stop closing properly, drawers bind, and the entire kitchen starts to feel tired — long before it should.
SJB Trade Kitchens uses 18mm solid backs on every single unit — base, wall, tall, and corner. This is the same 18mm Egger and Kronospan board used for the carcass sides, top, and bottom. The result is a fully rigid box that resists racking, supports heavy worktops without flexing, and maintains its structural integrity for decades. It is the same construction method used in high-end German kitchens — but at 30-50% less than you would pay at Howdens.
This is not a cosmetic upgrade. It is a fundamental structural difference. If you are investing thousands of pounds in a new kitchen, the back panel thickness should be one of the first things you check.
SJB vs DIY Kitchens — Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | DIY Kitchens | SJB Trade Kitchens |
|---|---|---|
| Carcass Thickness | 18mm | 18mm |
| Back Panel | 6mm-9mm (typical) | 18mm Solid |
| Hardware | Blum | Blum Antaro as standard; Legrabox or dovetail solid oak available as premium upgrades |
| Bespoke Widths | Limited / extra cost | Included as standard |
| Support | Ticket / email system | Direct with Steve — 20 years experience |
| Delivery | 4-8 weeks | From 10 working days |
Ready in 10 Working Days
While most kitchen suppliers quote 4 to 8 weeks for delivery, SJB Trade Kitchens can have your entire kitchen made to order and delivered to your door from as little as 10 working days. Whether you are on a tight renovation schedule or simply do not want to wait, we deliver nationwide — on time, every time.
Call Steve on 0161 509 4221 or email info@sjball.uk for a free quote today.
What You Get with Every SJB Kitchen
Every kitchen supplied by SJB Trade Kitchens is built to the same exacting standard, regardless of the style you choose. Here is what is included as standard on every order:
- 18mm Egger & Kronospan carcasses with 18mm solid backs — not 6mm hardboard
- Blum soft-close hinges on every door as standard
- Blum Antaro drawer boxes as standard, with a dovetail solid oak upgrade available
- Bespoke sizing included at no extra cost — every unit made to your exact dimensions
- Rigid construction — fully assembled units, not flat-pack
- Six kitchen styles — Handleless Matt, Handleless Gloss, Slab Matt, Slab Gloss, Shaker Foil, and Shaker Painted
- Nationwide delivery from as little as 10 working days
- Personal service — deal directly with Steve Ball, a kitchen specialist with over 20 years of experience
We also strongly advise against vinyl-wrapped doors. While they may look appealing initially, vinyl doors are prone to peeling, lifting, and discolouration — particularly around heat sources like ovens and hobs. They have a significantly shorter lifespan than painted or foil-wrapped alternatives and are not worth the investment.
Find a DIY Kitchens Alternative Near You
London & South East
Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest difference is in the construction quality. While DIY Kitchens use 6-9mm back panels on their units, SJB uses 18mm solid backs on every single cabinet. This creates a significantly stronger, more rigid unit that will not flex or rack over time. We also include bespoke sizing as standard, offer direct personal support from Steve Ball (a kitchen specialist with over 20 years of experience), and deliver from as little as 10 working days — compared to the 4-8 weeks typical with DIY Kitchens.
Yes. Like DIY Kitchens, we use Blum soft-close hinges and Blum Antaro drawer boxes as standard on every unit. We also offer Legrabox and dovetail solid oak drawer boxes as premium upgrades for customers who want a higher-end finish. The hardware quality is identical — the difference is in the carcass construction and back panel thickness.
Most kitchen suppliers use 6-9mm backs made from thin hardboard or MDF. These contribute almost nothing to the structural strength of the cabinet. Over time, especially under the weight of stone worktops and heavy appliances, thin-backed units can flex, go out of square, and cause doors and drawers to misalign. SJB’s 18mm solid backs create a fully rigid box that maintains its shape for decades — the same construction standard used in high-end German kitchens. Your fitter will notice the difference the second they lift the unit.
We deliver nationwide from as little as 10 working days from order confirmation. This is significantly faster than most suppliers, including DIY Kitchens who typically quote 4-8 weeks. If you are on a tight renovation schedule, SJB is the faster option without compromising on quality.
Yes. Our showroom is at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB. It is a small, focused showroom where you can see and feel the quality of our units in person — including the 18mm backs, Blum hardware, and door finish options. Call Steve on 0161 509 4221 to arrange a visit.
From Design to Reality: See the Difference
Every SJB kitchen starts with a detailed CAD design so you can see exactly how your finished kitchen will look before a single unit is ordered. Here is what that looks like in practice.
The CAD design produced by Steve before the kitchen was ordered
The finished kitchen installed by the customer – exactly as designed
“Steve is absolutely epic! Really nice guy. 100% genuine and to be trusted. Really easy to work with. Couldn’t do enough and always on hand.
The kitchen was amazing quality and the kitchen looked exactly like the images he produced on his computer. The units came ready built which saved a lot of time! Even if you’re not a joiner it was really easy to assemble and fit.
The kitchen is great quality and a VERY competitive price! 100% recommended! Thank you so much!”
— Scott, verified SJB Trade Kitchens customer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Request a Free Quote
Made to Order & Delivered in 10 Working Days
Rigid Built Cabinets with Blum Soft Close as Standard
Nationwide Delivery Available
SJB Trade Kitchens | Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB
Phone: 0161 509 4221 | Email: info@sjball.uk
SJB Trade Kitchens is an independent kitchen specialist. All competitor names are used for comparative purposes only based on publicly available specifications. SJB Trade Kitchens is not affiliated with Howdens, Wren Kitchens, Magnet, or DIY Kitchens.
