Better than DIY Kitchens? Premium 18mm Rigid Units Delivered to Hampshire 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 Hampshire Homeowners Are Choosing SJB Over DIY Kitchens
Hampshire, a county celebrated for its rich history, stunning coastline, and picturesque countryside, boasts a diverse property landscape. From the stately Georgian townhouses in Winchester’s conservation areas and the charming Victorian terraces of Southampton and Portsmouth, to the expansive executive homes nestled in the Test Valley and the New Forest, and the modern family residences across Basingstoke and Eastleigh, Hampshire homeowners demand kitchens that not only look exceptional but are built to last. When investing in their homes, especially in areas where property values are significant, the quality and longevity of a kitchen are paramount.
Many homeowners across Hampshire, from the bustling urban centres to the tranquil rural villages, embark on thorough research when planning a new kitchen. If you’ve been exploring options and considering suppliers like DIY Kitchens, you’ll know they offer a reputable product range with rigid built construction. However, the true mark of an exceptional kitchen, one designed to withstand decades of family life, often lies in a detail frequently overlooked: the thickness of the cabinet back panel. While DIY Kitchens typically utilise 6-9mm backs on their wall and base units, SJB Kitchens elevates this crucial specification. We construct every single cabinet with 18mm solid backs, using the same high-quality Egger and Kronospan board found in the rest of the carcass – the sides, top, and bottom.
For a county like Hampshire, where properties in areas such as Winchester, the Test Valley, and the affluent commuter belts command substantial premiums, this structural distinction is far from a minor point. It’s the fundamental difference between a kitchen that merely appears impressive upon installation and one that maintains its structural integrity, resists racking, and performs flawlessly through years of daily use. Homeowners in places like Alresford, Lymington, and Hartley Wintney understand that true value comes from enduring quality, and SJB Kitchens delivers that superior foundation.
Why 18mm Backs Matter – The Detail Most People Miss
When selecting a new kitchen, the focus is often on door styles, colours, and clever storage solutions. The thickness of the cabinet’s back panel is rarely a top-of-mind consideration, yet it’s a critical factor in the long-term durability and stability of your kitchen. Most kitchen suppliers in the UK, including many popular brands and even DIY Kitchens, typically use 6mm to 9mm back panels for their wall and base units. While these thinner backs might offer some initial support, they contribute minimally to the overall structural rigidity of the cabinet. Over time, particularly with heavy use or in the event of minor house movements, these thinner backs can be prone to warping or allowing the cabinet to “rack” – where it loses its perfect rectangular shape, leading to misaligned doors and drawers.
At SJB Kitchens, we take a different approach, one that prioritises unwavering strength and longevity. Every single one of our units features 18mm solid back panels. These aren’t just any 18mm panels; they are crafted from the exact same high-quality Egger and Kronospan board that forms the rest of the cabinet carcass – the sides, top, and bottom. This consistent 18mm thickness throughout the entire cabinet creates a truly robust, fully rigid box. This design virtually eliminates any risk of racking, ensuring that your cabinets remain perfectly square and stable for decades to come. This superior construction means your doors will always hang true, your drawers will open and close smoothly, and your kitchen will maintain its pristine appearance and functionality, offering peace of mind to discerning Hampshire homeowners who appreciate enduring quality.
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 Hampshire?
Hampshire’s diverse property market, from its historic cities to its charming villages and modern developments, presents unique challenges and opportunities for kitchen design. Homeowners here seek not just aesthetically pleasing kitchens, but those built with a robustness that complements their property investments. This is where SJB Kitchens truly shines as a superior alternative to options like DIY Kitchens, particularly for the discerning Hampshire resident.
Consider the elegant Georgian townhouses of Winchester, particularly in the conservation areas around St Cross, Hyde, and the city centre. These properties often feature characterful kitchen spaces with thick, uneven walls, original architectural quirks, and non-standard alcoves. Achieving a seamless, fitted look in such environments is a design challenge. DIY Kitchens may offer standard unit sizes, but SJB Kitchens includes bespoke sizing as standard on every order. Your units are crafted to your exact millimetre measurements at no extra cost, eliminating the need for unsightly filler panels and ensuring a perfect, custom fit that respects the unique heritage of these Winchester homes.
Venture into the prestigious Test Valley villages – places like Stockbridge, Romsey, and the surrounding hamlets – and you’ll find some of Hampshire’s most sought-after properties. Here, thatched cottages, grand Georgian farmhouses, and contemporary executive new builds demand kitchen quality that justifies their premium price tags. SJB’s unwavering commitment to 18mm solid backs, coupled with Blum Antaro drawer boxes as standard (with options for Legrabox or luxurious dovetail solid oak upgrades), delivers an unparalleled level of quality. This robust construction and premium hardware rival even high-end German kitchen brands, often at a significantly more competitive price point than alternatives like Howdens, making SJB an intelligent choice for value and durability.
In Southampton’s vibrant Victorian terraces, found in areas such as Portswood, Shirley, and Bitterne, kitchen spaces can often be compact, making every millimetre of usable space invaluable. SJB’s bespoke approach is a game-changer here. By crafting units to precise dimensions, we eliminate wasted space from filler panels and awkward gaps, providing a clean, professional finish that maximises storage and functionality, transforming even the smallest kitchen into an efficient and beautiful culinary hub.
Portsmouth and Southsea have undergone remarkable regeneration, with beautifully renovated Victorian and Edwardian properties alongside modern apartment developments. SJB’s painted shaker range, available in a vast array of RAL colours, brings warmth and timeless character to these period kitchens, perfectly complementing their architectural style. For the contemporary apartments around Gunwharf Quays or newer developments, our sleek handleless and slab ranges offer the minimalist, modern aesthetic that discerning urban dwellers desire.
Further afield, the burgeoning towns of Basingstoke, Farnborough, and Aldershot have seen substantial growth with thousands of modern family homes. These open-plan living spaces are ideally suited to SJB’s contemporary handleless and slab ranges. Our efficient delivery, often from just 10 working days, is a significant advantage for families keen to complete their home renovation projects on schedule, minimising disruption to their busy lives.
The idyllic New Forest villages, and the affluent coastal properties of Lymington, Milford-on-Sea, and the Hamble estuary, represent the pinnacle of Hampshire’s premium property market. Homes in these stunning locations demand kitchen quality that truly matches their exquisite settings. SJB’s 18mm rigid construction, combined with Blum soft-close hardware and bespoke sizing as standard, delivers a kitchen that is worthy of these exceptional homes. Whether you are renovating a period cottage in Brockenhurst or fitting out a contemporary waterfront property in Lymington, SJB provides the quality and craftsmanship that Hampshire’s finest properties deserve.
Steve Ball personally manages every Hampshire order, bringing over 20 years of kitchen industry experience to your project. While our Oldham showroom is approximately three hours from Hampshire, many of our Hampshire customers make the journey to see the 18mm solid backs and Blum hardware in person — and they consistently tell us the trip was well worth it. Alternatively, we can send door samples directly to your Hampshire address so you can assess the quality and finish at home. Call 0161 509 4221 or email info@sjball.uk to start your Hampshire kitchen project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We deliver to every postcode across Hampshire – including SO (Southampton, Winchester, Eastleigh), PO (Portsmouth, Fareham, Havant), GU (Farnborough, Aldershot, Fleet), RG (Basingstoke), and SP (Andover). Delivery is available from as little as 10 working days.
Absolutely. Winchester’s Georgian townhouses have kitchen spaces with thick walls, alcoves, and non-standard dimensions. SJB includes bespoke sizing as standard – your units are made to your exact millimetre measurements at no extra cost, ensuring a perfect fit in even the most challenging period properties.
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.
The period properties of the New Forest and Test Valley work beautifully with SJB’s painted shaker range (available in any RAL colour). For more contemporary tastes, our handleless matt range offers clean lines that complement both period and modern interiors.
SJB is 30-50% cheaper than Howdens and competitively priced against DIY Kitchens. For a typical Hampshire kitchen, 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.
