DIY Kitchens offers 18mm MFC units with Blum Antaro soft-close drawers at competitive prices, while Howdens provides 18mm rigid carcasses but is trade-only — meaning it’s simply not available to homeowners unless you’re working with a trade account holder. For homeowners who want 18mm solid backs, guided ordering, and a free design service, SJB Trade Kitchens delivers trade-quality kitchens at trade prices.
DIY Kitchens vs Howdens — And Why SJB Trade Kitchens Is the Better Choice for Homeowners
Quick Answer
- DIY Kitchens: 18mm MFC rigid construction, Blum Antaro, supply-only, £29.99 design service, 8mm back panels
- Howdens: 18mm rigid, Blum as upgrade, trade-only — homeowners cannot buy direct
- SJB Trade Kitchens: 18mm Egger/Kronospan, 18mm solid backs, Blum Antaro standard, free design guidance
- SJB: Nationwide delivery, 30–50% less than high street, call Steve on 0161 509 4221
✓ Made to Order
Custom sizes as standard
Custom sizes as standard
✓ Rigid Built
18mm Egger/Kronospan
18mm Egger/Kronospan
✓ 18mm Solid Backs
Full-depth strength throughout
Full-depth strength throughout
✓ Nationwide Delivery
From 10 working days
From 10 working days
If you’re researching kitchens and comparing DIY Kitchens with Howdens, you’re already doing the right thing — looking beyond the big showrooms and asking whether there’s a better way. There is. DIY Kitchens is a supply-only model with 18mm MFC units and Blum Antaro drawers, but their back panels are 8mm. Howdens is trade-only. SJB Trade Kitchens offers 18mm solid backs, guided ordering, and a free design service — all at trade prices.
| Feature | SJB Trade Kitchens | DIY Kitchens | Howdens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 18mm Egger/Kronospan, rigid built | 18mm MFC, rigid construction | Rigid, 18mm carcasses |
| Back Panels | 18mm solid backs throughout | 8mm back panels | Not publicly specified |
| Drawers | Blum Antaro soft-close | Blum Antaro soft-close | Blum available as upgrade |
| Bespoke Sizing | Yes — custom heights, widths, depths | Yes — bespoke sizes available | Standard range sizes |
| Who Can Buy | Any homeowner | Any homeowner (supply-only) | Trade account required |
| Design Service | Included — Steve guides you through | £29.99 extra charge | Via local depot (trade only) |
| Customer Support | Call Steve: 0161 509 4221 | Ticket-based system | Via local depot |
The DIY Kitchens Problem — And Why It Matters
DIY Kitchens is a well-regarded supplier, but their supply-only model is a genuine challenge for most homeowners. You plan and order the kitchen yourself, and their back panels are only 8mm — less than half the thickness of SJB’s 18mm solid backs. Howdens has the opposite problem: trade-only access, meaning it’s simply not available to homeowners unless you’re working with a trade account holder — and even then, you have no direct control over what you’re buying.
Why SJB Trade Kitchens Is the Better Choice
18mm Solid Backs vs 8mm Back Panels
While both SJB and DIY Kitchens use 18mm MFC for carcass sides and both offer Blum Antaro soft-close drawers, there is one specification where SJB pulls ahead significantly: 18mm solid backs throughout. DIY Kitchens use 8mm back panels — less than half the thickness. This is a meaningful difference in cabinet rigidity and long-term durability. Solid backs mean the cabinet won’t flex or bow over time, providing a stronger fixing point for shelves and internal fittings.
You’re Not Doing This Alone
DIY Kitchens is a supply-only model — you provide your own plans and order the kitchen yourself. That’s a genuine challenge for most homeowners. Getting measurements right, choosing filler panels, corner units, and appliance gaps takes experience. They charge £29.99 for a design service, and one mistake in your order means waiting weeks for a replacement part. With SJB, Steve’s over 20 years of industry experience means you’re guided through the process from start to finish — no extra charge, no guesswork.
A Direct Line, Not a Ticket Queue
If something goes wrong or you have a question, DIY Kitchens operates a ticket-based support system — you submit your query and wait. At SJB, you can pick up the phone and speak directly to Steve on 0161 509 4221. When you’re spending thousands on a new kitchen, that direct line to the person who knows your order matters.
One Person. One Number. Total Accountability.
Steve is your single point of contact from the moment you enquire to the moment your kitchen is delivered — and beyond. No call centres. No ticket systems. No being passed between departments. You deal with the same person throughout: the person who designed your kitchen, placed your order, and knows every detail of your specification. Call Steve directly on 0161 509 4221. When you’re spending thousands on a new kitchen, that kind of accountability is rare — and it’s standard at SJB.
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 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What Our Customers Say
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
DIY Kitchens is available to homeowners directly, which Howdens is not (Howdens requires a trade account). DIY Kitchens offers competitive pricing on 18mm MFC units with Blum Antaro drawers. However, their back panels are 8mm — less than half the thickness of SJB’s 18mm solid backs. SJB Trade Kitchens offers 18mm solid backs, guided ordering, and a free design service at trade prices.
No — Howdens is trade-only. SJB Trade Kitchens offers comparable rigid construction with 18mm Egger/Kronospan carcasses and Blum Antaro drawers, available to any homeowner with no trade account required.
Yes, DIY Kitchens use Blum Antaro soft-close drawers as standard, which is the same high-quality specification used by SJB Trade Kitchens. The key differentiator between the two is the back panel thickness: SJB uses 18mm solid backs while DIY Kitchens use 8mm backs.
SJB Trade Kitchens uses 18mm solid backs throughout as standard. DIY Kitchens uses 8mm back panels. SJB’s backs are more than double the thickness, providing significantly greater cabinet rigidity and longevity.
DIY Kitchens uses a ticket-based system. At SJB Trade Kitchens, you can call Steve directly on 0161 509 4221 — a direct line to the person whose name is on the door.
Get a Quote Today
Ready to see what SJB Trade Kitchens can do for you? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.
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 Wren Kitchens, DIY Kitchens, Magnet, Wickes, or Howdens.
