Better than DIY Kitchens? Premium 18mm Rigid Units Delivered to Manchester in 10 Working Days.
Rigid Built
Nationwide Delivery
Blum Soft Close
Manchester is SJB Kitchens’ home territory. Based in Oldham – just a few miles from the city centre – we have been supplying premium kitchens to Greater Manchester homeowners for over 20 years. From the iconic Victorian terraces and Edwardian semis of Chorlton, Didsbury, and Prestwich, to the red-brick family homes of Sale, Altrincham, and Cheadle, the sophisticated warehouse conversions of the Northern Quarter, and the modern apartments and townhouses of Salford Quays and MediaCityUK, we understand Manchester’s diverse housing stock better than any online kitchen supplier ever could. We know the unique challenges and opportunities each property type presents, and we’re here to help you achieve your dream kitchen.
If you’re a Manchester homeowner, you’ve likely researched various kitchen suppliers, and DIY Kitchens will undoubtedly have appeared on your radar. They offer an extensive range and competitive pricing, which is appealing. However, there’s a crucial structural detail that many buyers overlook: the thickness of the back panel. DIY Kitchens, like many other suppliers, typically use 6-9mm backs on their wall and base units. While this might seem like a minor point, it’s actually a significant factor in the long-term durability and stability of your kitchen.
At SJB Kitchens, we take a different approach. We use 18mm solid backs on every single cabinet – the same high-quality Egger and Kronospan board used for the carcass sides, top, and bottom. This isn’t merely a cosmetic difference; it’s a fundamental structural advantage. An 18mm solid back creates a fully rigid box that provides superior resistance to racking, ensuring your kitchen units maintain their integrity and alignment for decades. This robust construction is particularly important in busy Manchester households, where kitchens are often the heart of the home and endure heavy daily use.
Furthermore, unlike DIY Kitchens, whose showroom is located in Howden, East Yorkshire, our Oldham showroom is right on Manchester’s doorstep. Most Greater Manchester postcodes are within a convenient 20-30 minute drive of our showroom at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB. We encourage you to visit and experience the SJB difference firsthand. Come and see the superior 18mm solid backs, feel the quality of our doors, and test the smooth operation of the Blum hardware for yourself. It’s an opportunity to compare the tangible quality and understand why so many Manchester residents choose SJB Kitchens for their home renovation projects.
Choosing SJB means choosing a local, trusted partner who understands the specific needs of Manchester homes. We offer a level of personal service and construction quality that truly sets us apart, ensuring your new kitchen is not just beautiful, but built to last.
When investing in a new kitchen for your Manchester home, it’s easy to get caught up in the aesthetics – the colour of the doors, the style of the handles, or the finish of the worktops. However, the true longevity and structural integrity of your kitchen depend on details that are often overlooked, especially the thickness of the cabinet back panels. Most kitchen buyers, quite understandably, never think to check this crucial specification, yet it plays a pivotal role in how well your kitchen withstands the test of time.
Many kitchen suppliers in the UK, including DIY Kitchens, typically utilise 6mm to 9mm back panels on their wall and base units. While these thinner backs offer some basic enclosure, they contribute very little to the overall structural rigidity of the cabinet. This can lead to issues over time, such as racking (where the cabinet distorts and goes out of square), doors no longer aligning perfectly, or even units detaching from walls if not properly secured. In the bustling homes of Manchester, where kitchens are often the busiest room, this lack of inherent strength can become a significant problem.
At SJB Kitchens, we fundamentally believe in superior construction. That’s why we use 18mm solid backs on every single unit we supply. This isn’t a cost-cutting measure; it’s a commitment to quality. We use the same premium Egger and Kronospan board for the back panels as we do for the carcass sides, top, and bottom. The result is a fully rigid box – a robust, unyielding structure that actively resists racking and maintains its structural integrity for decades. This means your cabinets will remain square, your doors will close perfectly, and your kitchen will look and function as beautifully as the day it was installed, even after years of daily use.
For Manchester homeowners, this translates to peace of mind. Whether you’re in a period property in Didsbury with slightly uneven walls, or a new-build apartment in Salford Quays, the inherent strength of our 18mm solid-backed units provides a stable foundation for your entire kitchen. It ensures that heavy appliances, granite worktops, and everyday wear and tear are handled with ease, without compromising the long-term stability or appearance of your investment. This superior build quality is a key reason why SJB Kitchens stands out as a preferred alternative for discerning homeowners across Manchester.
| 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 |
Choosing a new kitchen is a significant investment for any Manchester homeowner. While DIY Kitchens offers a broad selection, SJB Kitchens provides a compelling alternative, particularly for those who value superior construction, local expertise, and a more personalised service. Here’s why Manchester residents are increasingly turning to SJB for their kitchen renovation projects:
Tailored Solutions for Manchester’s Diverse Properties:
- Victorian & Edwardian Terraces and Semis: The charming period properties in areas like Chorlton, Didsbury, Prestwich, and Heaton Moor often present unique kitchen challenges. With their inherent character comes compact spaces, chimney breast projections, awkward alcoves, and the slightly irregular wall angles typical of 100+ year-old construction. Standard-width units rarely fit these spaces perfectly without leaving unsightly gaps or requiring expensive filler panels. SJB Kitchens includes bespoke sizing as standard on every order. This means your units are manufactured to your exact millimetre measurements at no additional cost. The result is a seamless, gap-free installation that looks truly bespoke and maximises every inch of your kitchen space.
- Modern Apartments & New Builds: From the high-rise developments in Deansgate and Salford Quays to the new-build estates across Trafford and Tameside, contemporary open-plan living demands sleek, modern kitchen design. SJB’s handleless and slab ranges deliver clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic that complements these spaces perfectly. With Blum soft-close hinges and Antaro drawer boxes fitted as standard, every interaction with your kitchen feels premium.
- Suburban Family Homes: The semi-detached and detached properties across Stockport, Sale, Bramhall, and Marple are home to families who need kitchens that combine style with durability. SJB’s 18mm solid-backed construction creates cabinets that withstand the demands of busy family life for decades, not just years. Unlike the 6-9mm backs used by DIY Kitchens, our full-thickness panels resist racking and sagging even under heavy loads from stone worktops and integrated appliances.
Construction Quality You Can See and Feel:
The single biggest difference between SJB and DIY Kitchens is construction quality. Every SJB cabinet features 18mm solid backs made from the same Egger and Kronospan board as the carcass sides. DIY Kitchens use 6-9mm back panels. This is not a minor specification difference — it fundamentally changes how the cabinet performs. A fully rigid 18mm box resists racking, supports heavy worktops without deflection, and maintains its structural integrity for the lifetime of your kitchen. You can see and feel this difference at our Oldham showroom, just 20 minutes from Manchester city centre.
Steve Ball, with over 20 years of experience in the kitchen industry, personally oversees every Manchester order. Whether you are renovating a Victorian terrace in Levenshulme or fitting out a new-build in Hale, you will deal directly with Steve from initial enquiry through to delivery. Call 0161 509 4221 or email info@sjball.uk to discuss your Manchester kitchen project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our showroom at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB is typically 20-30 minutes from most Greater Manchester postcodes. The city centre is around 25 minutes, Chorlton and Didsbury are 30 minutes, and Sale and Altrincham are 35-40 minutes. Many Manchester customers visit to see the quality difference in person.
Absolutely. The Victorian terraces of Chorlton, Didsbury, and Withington have compact kitchens with chimney breasts, alcoves, and non-standard dimensions. SJB includes bespoke sizing as standard – your units are made to your exact millimetre measurements at no extra cost, giving you a clean, professional finish that maximises every inch of space.
DIY Kitchens use 6-9mm back panels. SJB uses 18mm solid backs on every cabinet – the same Egger and Kronospan board as the carcass sides. This creates a fully rigid box that resists racking and maintains structural integrity for decades. You can see this difference for yourself at our Oldham showroom.
Yes. We deliver to every postcode across Greater Manchester – including M (Manchester), SK (Stockport), WA (Warrington borders), BL (Bolton), OL (Oldham), and all surrounding areas. Given our proximity, Greater Manchester deliveries are among our fastest and most reliable.
SJB is local to Manchester – our Oldham showroom is 20-30 minutes from most Greater Manchester postcodes, compared to DIY Kitchens in Howden, East Yorkshire. You get 18mm solid backs (vs 6-9mm), bespoke sizing included, personal support from Steve with 20 years of experience, and delivery from just 10 working days. Plus you can visit our showroom to see the quality in person.
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.







