DIY Kitchens offers 18mm MFC units with Blum Antaro soft-close drawers at competitive prices through a supply-only model, while Wickes sells via stores with typically 15mm carcasses. For homeowners who want 18mm solid backs, Blum Antaro drawers, and a free guided design service, SJB Trade Kitchens is the stronger choice.
DIY Kitchens vs Wickes Kitchens — And Why SJB Trade Kitchens Outperforms Both
Quick Answer
- DIY Kitchens: 18mm MFC rigid construction, Blum Antaro, supply-only, £29.99 design service, 8mm back panels
- Wickes: typically 15mm carcasses, own-brand drawers, retail pricing
- 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
DIY Kitchens and Wickes represent two different ends of the market. DIY Kitchens offers 18mm MFC rigid units and Blum Antaro drawers but their back panels are 8mm. Wickes typically uses 15mm carcasses. SJB Trade Kitchens offers 18mm solid backs and 18mm Egger/Kronospan carcasses throughout.
| Feature | SJB Trade Kitchens | DIY Kitchens | Wickes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 18mm Egger/Kronospan, rigid built | 18mm MFC, rigid construction | Rigid and flat-pack options |
| Back Panels | 18mm solid backs throughout | 8mm back panels | Not 18mm solid |
| Drawers | Blum Antaro soft-close | Blum Antaro soft-close | Own brand drawers |
| Carcass Thickness | 18mm Egger/Kronospan | 18mm MFC | Typically 15mm |
| Bespoke Sizing | Yes — custom heights, widths, depths | Yes — bespoke sizes available | Standard range sizes |
| Who Can Buy | Any homeowner | Any homeowner (supply-only) | Any homeowner via stores |
| Design Service | Included — Steve guides you through | £29.99 extra charge | Via store (included) |
The DIY Kitchens Problem — And Why It Matters
DIY Kitchens’ supply-only model is the primary challenge. You plan the entire kitchen yourself, and their back panels are only 8mm. Wickes solves the accessibility problem but at the cost of specification, typically using 15mm carcasses and own-brand drawers.
Why SJB Trade Kitchens Is the Better Choice
18mm Solid Backs vs 8mm Panels
Wickes typically uses 15mm carcasses with own-brand drawers. DIY Kitchens uses 18mm MFC carcass sides with Blum Antaro, but their back panels are only 8mm — less than half the thickness of SJB’s 18mm solid backs. SJB uses 18mm solid backs throughout — the full-depth construction that high-volume suppliers often compromise on to reduce costs. Combined with 18mm Egger/Kronospan carcasses and Blum Antaro drawers, SJB’s specification is simply stronger.
No More Guesswork
DIY Kitchens is supply-only — you plan and order the kitchen yourself. Getting measurements right, choosing filler panels, corner units, and appliance gaps takes experience. They charge £29.99 for a design service, and you still need to provide your own plans. Wickes offers in-store design, but at retail prices. With SJB, Steve’s over 20 years of experience means you’re guided through the process from start to finish — free of charge, no guesswork.
Real Support When You Need It
DIY Kitchens’ support is ticket-based. Wickes’ support is via store or call centre. At SJB, you can call Steve directly on 0161 509 4221 — the person who designed your kitchen and knows your order. One call resolves what a ticket queue takes days to answer.
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.
