Better than DIY Kitchens? Premium 18mm Rigid Units Delivered to Surrey 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 Surrey Homeowners Are Choosing SJB Over DIY Kitchens
Surrey, renowned for its picturesque villages, vibrant market towns, and prestigious commuter belt locations, boasts a property market where quality and longevity are paramount. From the charming Victorian terraces and Edwardian villas of Guildford and Godalming to the sprawling executive homes in Weybridge, Esher, and Virginia Water, homeowners in Surrey invest significantly in their properties and expect a kitchen that reflects this commitment to excellence.
Many Surrey residents embarking on a kitchen renovation have undoubtedly explored options like DIY Kitchens. DIY Kitchens are a well-regarded supplier, offering a broad selection of styles, competitive pricing, and rigid-built units. However, for the discerning homeowner in areas like Ashtead, Dorking, or Reigate, who demands superior structural integrity and a truly bespoke fit, a closer look at the core construction reveals a significant difference.
The crucial distinction lies in the cabinet back panels. While DIY Kitchens typically utilise 6-9mm backs on their wall and base units, SJB Kitchens stands apart by employing 18mm solid backs on every single cabinet. This isn’t just a minor upgrade; it’s a fundamental enhancement to the unit’s strength and durability. We use the same high-quality Egger and Kronospan board for the back panel as we do for the carcass sides, top, and bottom. This creates a fully rigid, incredibly robust box that resists racking, warping, and the stresses of daily life in a busy Surrey household.
In a county where average property prices often exceed half a million pounds, and kitchen projects are a substantial investment, choosing a kitchen with 18mm solid backs from SJB Kitchens isn’t merely a preference – it’s a strategic decision for enduring quality. This superior construction ensures your kitchen will maintain its pristine condition and structural integrity for decades, a vital consideration for the period properties of Farnham, the family homes of Woking, or the contemporary new builds in Camberley. It’s an investment in a kitchen that will truly stand the test of time, reflecting the high standards expected by Surrey homeowners.
Why 18mm Backs Matter – The Detail Most People Miss
When planning a kitchen renovation in Surrey, it’s easy to focus on aesthetics – the colour of the doors, the style of the handles, the finish of the worktops. Yet, the true heart of a durable kitchen lies in its hidden structural components, particularly the back panel of the cabinets. It’s a detail often overlooked, but one that profoundly impacts the longevity and stability of your entire kitchen.
Most kitchen suppliers, including DIY Kitchens, typically use back panels ranging from 6mm to 9mm in thickness for their wall and base units. While these units are rigid-built, these thinner backs offer limited structural contribution. They are often routed into a groove, providing some stability but not the full, integrated strength that prevents long-term issues.
At SJB Kitchens, we believe in uncompromising quality. That’s why every single cabinet we supply, whether it’s a base unit for a kitchen in Walton-on-Thames or a wall unit for a utility room in Cranleigh, features an 18mm solid back panel. We use the exact same high-grade Egger and Kronospan board for the back as we do for the rest of the carcass (sides, top, and bottom). This isn’t an arbitrary choice; it’s a commitment to creating a truly superior product.
The result? A fully enclosed, exceptionally rigid box construction. This 18mm back panel becomes an integral part of the unit’s load-bearing structure, preventing the “racking” or twisting that thinner-backed cabinets can experience over time. This is especially crucial in Surrey homes, where kitchens often support heavy stone worktops, integrated appliances, and decades of family life. An 18mm solid back ensures your cabinets remain perfectly square, doors align flawlessly, and the entire kitchen retains its structural integrity for years to come – a testament to quality that discerning homeowners in Godalming, Dorking, and across Surrey truly appreciate.
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 |
Why Choose SJB Over DIY Kitchens in Surrey?
Surrey is a county of diverse and often challenging property layouts, from the grand estates of Wentworth and St George’s Hill to the charming cottages of the Surrey Hills and the bustling family homes of Epsom and Woking. For homeowners across this varied landscape, SJB Kitchens offers compelling advantages over alternatives like DIY Kitchens, particularly when it comes to precision, durability, and personalised service.
Consider the distinctive character of properties in Guildford, such as the Victorian and Edwardian homes in areas like Charlotteville, Onslow Village, or along the High Street. These homes often feature unique architectural quirks: thick, uneven walls, unexpected alcoves, and prominent chimney breasts. Standard kitchen units, even rigid-built ones, struggle to adapt seamlessly to these spaces, often necessitating unsightly filler panels and awkward gaps. SJB’s commitment to bespoke sizing included as standard means your units are crafted to the exact millimetre measurements of your Surrey home, at no additional cost. This ensures a flawless, integrated fit that maximises space and enhances the aesthetic integrity of your period property.
In the affluent “stockbroker belt” towns like Weybridge, Cobham, Esher, and Virginia Water, homeowners are accustomed to premium quality and expect their kitchen investments to reflect the value of their property. Here, SJB’s superior construction truly shines. Our 18mm solid back panels provide unparalleled structural integrity, crucial for supporting the heavy stone worktops and integrated appliances often found in these executive homes. Combined with Blum Antaro drawer boxes as standard (with upgrades to sleek Legrabox or classic solid oak dovetail available), SJB delivers a level of craftsmanship and durability that rivals high-end German brands, often at a significantly more competitive price point than traditional showrooms or even Howdens.
Even in areas like Woking and Camberley, which have seen considerable modern development, SJB’s advantages are clear. The clean lines of our handleless and slab ranges are perfectly suited to contemporary apartments and new-build family homes. The inherent strength of our 18mm rigid construction is ideal for supporting expansive island units and breakfast bars that are central to modern open-plan living, ensuring they remain stable and secure for years to come.
For family homes in towns such as Reigate, Redhill, and Dorking, where practicality and longevity are key, SJB provides accessible premium quality. Our competitive pricing means that homeowners can achieve a truly durable and beautiful kitchen without compromising on essential structural elements. The Victorian terraces of Reigate town centre, like those in Bell Street or London Road, and the Edwardian semis around Redhill Common, benefit immensely from our bespoke sizing, which helps navigate the specific challenges of older properties.
Epsom and Leatherhead, with their blend of period charm and modern convenience, represent
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We deliver to every postcode across Surrey – including GU (Guildford, Woking, Farnham), KT (Kingston, Esher, Weybridge), RH (Reigate, Redhill, Dorking), CR (Croydon borders), and SM (Sutton borders). Delivery is available from as little as 10 working days from order confirmation.
Absolutely. The Victorian and Edwardian properties of Guildford, Charlotteville, and Onslow Village have kitchen spaces with thick walls, alcoves, and chimney breasts. SJB includes bespoke sizing as standard on every order – your units are made to your exact millimetre measurements at no extra cost, ensuring a perfect fit without filler panels.
DIY Kitchens use 6-9mm back panels on their wall and base units. 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 will not flex, rack, or go out of square over time. For Surrey’s premium property market, this structural integrity is essential.
SJB supplies Blum Antaro drawer boxes as standard on every kitchen – the same hardware used by premium German brands. For a premium upgrade, you can choose Blum Legrabox (a sleek, modern drawer system with glass sides) or dovetail solid oak drawer boxes for a traditional finish.
SJB is 30-50% cheaper than Howdens and competitively priced against DIY Kitchens. For a typical Surrey kitchen renovation, you get 18mm solid backs, bespoke sizing included, Blum Antaro drawer boxes with Legrabox or dovetail oak upgrade options, and delivery from just 10 working days.
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.
