Better than DIY Kitchens? Premium 18mm Rigid Units Delivered to Lancashire in 10 Working Days.
Rigid Built
Nationwide Delivery
Blum Soft Close
Why Lancashire Homeowners Are Choosing SJB Over DIY Kitchens
Lancashire is home territory for SJB Kitchens. Based in Oldham – just across the county border – we have been supplying premium kitchens to Lancashire homeowners for over 20 years. From the Victorian terraces of Preston and Blackburn to the stone-built cottages of the Ribble Valley, the executive properties of Lytham St Annes, and the family homes of Chorley, Leyland, and Lancaster, we understand Lancashire’s diverse housing stock better than any online kitchen supplier ever could.
If you’re exploring options like DIY Kitchens, you’ll find they offer an impressive range and competitive pricing. However, a crucial structural detail often gets overlooked: the thickness of the back panel. While DIY Kitchens typically use 6-9mm backs on their wall and base units, SJB Kitchens uses 18mm solid backs on every single cabinet. This isn’t just a minor upgrade; it’s a fundamental difference in construction quality. We use the same high-grade Egger and Kronospan board for the back panel as we do for the carcass sides, top, and bottom. This superior construction means your kitchen will resist racking and maintain its structural integrity for decades, a vital consideration for the varied property types across Lancashire, from period homes to modern new builds.
And unlike DIY Kitchens, whose operations are based in Howden, East Yorkshire, our Oldham showroom is conveniently located on Lancashire’s doorstep. Most Lancashire postcodes are within a straightforward 30-45 minute drive of our showroom at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB. We invite you to visit and experience the robust quality of our 18mm solid backs and premium Blum hardware for yourself.
Why 18mm Backs Matter – The Detail Most People Miss
Most kitchen buyers, understandably, don’t typically scrutinise the thickness of cabinet back panels. DIY Kitchens, like many other kitchen suppliers, commonly use 6mm to 9mm back panels on their wall and base units. These thinner backs offer minimal structural rigidity. In contrast, SJB Kitchens employs 18mm solid backs on every single unit. We utilise the identical Egger and Kronospan board for the back panel as we do for the carcass sides, top, and bottom. This commitment to robust construction results in a fully rigid box that effectively resists racking and preserves its structural integrity for decades, ensuring your kitchen stands the test of time.
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 Lancashire?
For homeowners across Lancashire, choosing SJB Kitchens means opting for superior quality and a truly tailored experience. In Preston, for example, the Victorian terraces in areas like Avenham and Broadgate, or the Edwardian semis of Fulwood and Ashton-on-Ribble, are characterised by their unique layouts. These properties often feature compact kitchen spaces with thick walls, chimney breasts, and alcoves that rarely accommodate standard-width units without significant compromise. SJB Kitchens addresses this with bespoke sizing included as standard on every order. Your units are crafted to your exact millimetre measurements at no extra cost, eliminating the need for filler panels, awkward gaps, or design compromises.
Blackburn’s historic terraced streets – from Audley Range and Bastwell to the charming conservation area around Corporation Park – present similar challenges. SJB’s bespoke approach ensures the same precision fit, delivering kitchens that look and function as if they were always meant to be there. Meanwhile, the robust stone-built terraces of Burnley, Accrington, and Nelson particularly benefit from our 18mm rigid construction. This inherent strength helps compensate for the uneven floors and walls that are a common feature of Lancashire’s industrial-era housing, providing a stable and durable foundation for your new kitchen.
The Ribble Valley, with its picturesque stone cottages and farmhouse conversions in areas like Clitheroe, Whalley, and Longridge, demands kitchens that blend seamlessly with characterful interiors. These spaces often feature exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings, and irregular room shapes. SJB’s painted shaker range, available in any RAL colour, brings warmth and authenticity to these period kitchens, while our bespoke sizing guarantees a perfect fit in even the most challenging architectural spaces.
In Lancaster, the elegant Georgian townhouses along Castle Hill and the spacious Edwardian villas of Scotforth and Bowerham boast generous kitchen areas that warrant investment in premium quality. Moving to the coast, properties in Lytham St Annes and Morecambe, often with open-plan kitchen-diner extensions and stunning sea views, are perfectly complemented by SJB’s sleek handleless and slab ranges, offering contemporary style and exceptional functionality.
For the family homes in Chorley, Leyland, and the modern new-build developments around Buckshaw Village, SJB’s combination of quality and value is particularly compelling. These are discerning buyers who appreciate genuine quality and durability without the premium associated with some national brands. Our proximity also means delivery is fast, reliable, and straightforward, ensuring a smooth project timeline.
Lancashire is where SJB Kitchens began, and it remains our heartland. Steve Ball has been supplying kitchens to Lancashire homes for over 20 years, possessing an intimate knowledge of the county’s diverse housing stock and the specific needs of its residents. When you choose SJB, you’re not just buying a kitchen; you’re partnering with a local specialist who delivers premium 18mm rigid units, offering exceptional value compared to national retailers.
Our Oldham showroom is typically just 30-45 minutes from most Lancashire postcodes. We encourage you to call Steve on 0161 509 4221 to book a showroom visit, or email info@sjball.uk for a free, no-obligation quote. Many of our Lancashire customers find that seeing the 18mm solid backs and premium Blum hardware in person is the deciding factor.
Explore More Kitchens in Lancashire
- DIY Kitchens Alternative – Compare SJB vs DIY Kitchens nationwide
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Frequently Asked Questions
Our showroom at Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB is typically 30-45 minutes from most Lancashire postcodes. Preston is around 45 minutes via the M61, Blackburn is 35 minutes, Burnley is 30 minutes, and Chorley is 40 minutes. Many Lancashire customers visit to see the quality difference in person.
Absolutely. Lancashire’s stone-built terraces in Burnley, Accrington, Nelson, and the Ribble Valley have thick walls, uneven floors, and non-standard dimensions. SJB includes bespoke sizing as standard on every order – your units are made to your exact measurements, eliminating filler panels and ensuring a perfect fit in even the most challenging Victorian and Edwardian 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. You can see this difference for yourself at our Oldham showroom.
Yes. We deliver to every postcode across Lancashire – including PR (Preston), BB (Blackburn, Burnley), LA (Lancaster, Morecambe), FY (Blackpool, Lytham St Annes), and all surrounding areas. Given our proximity, Lancashire deliveries are among our fastest and most reliable.
SJB is local to Lancashire – our Oldham showroom is 30-45 minutes from most Lancashire 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.
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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.







