Better than DIY Kitchens? Premium 18mm Rigid Units Delivered to Sunderland in 10 Working Days.

Made to Order

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 Kitchens - Trade Kitchens Manchester

Handleless – Matt

modern matt slab kitchens - Trade Kitchen Supplier Manchester

Slab – Matt

Shaker Kitchens - Trade Kitchen Supplier Manchester

Shaker – Foil


Handleless Gloss Kitchens - Trade Kitchens Altrincham

Handleless – Gloss

Modern Gloss Kitchens Manchester - SJB Trade Kitchens

Slab – Gloss

Painted Shaker Kitchens Altrincham - Trade Kitchen Supplier

Shaker – Painted


Why Sunderland Homeowners Are Choosing SJB Over DIY Kitchens

Sunderland is a city steeped in history, from the maritime heritage of the docks to the grand Victorian and Edwardian architecture of areas like Ashbrooke. Homeowners across Sunderland, from the modern developments of Chapelgarth to the established neighbourhoods of Tunstall and Fulwell, demand quality and durability when investing in their homes. This is especially true for the kitchen, the heart of any property.

If you’re considering a new kitchen for your Sunderland home and have looked at DIY Kitchens, it’s crucial to understand a key difference: the construction of the units. While DIY Kitchens offers rigid units, a significant distinction lies in the thickness of the back panels. They typically use 6-9mm backs. At SJB Kitchens, every single unit features 18mm solid backs. This isn’t just a minor detail; it’s a fundamental aspect of structural integrity, ensuring your kitchen cabinets remain perfectly square and robust for decades, even under the weight of heavy worktops and daily use.

Sunderland homeowners also appreciate efficiency and reliability. SJB Kitchens offers a rapid 10-working-day turnaround for delivery across all SR postcodes. This is a significant advantage over the 4-8 weeks often quoted by DIY Kitchens, helping your renovation project stay on schedule and minimising disruption to your home life.

Why 18mm Backs Matter — The Detail Most People Miss

When selecting a kitchen, the focus often falls on door styles, colours, and layout. However, the internal construction of your cabinets is paramount to their longevity and performance. Many kitchen suppliers, including DIY Kitchens, utilise 6mm to 9mm back panels for their wall and base units. While these units are rigid, these thinner backs offer minimal structural support, making them prone to flexing or racking over time, especially when supporting substantial weight or enduring the vibrations from appliances.

SJB Kitchens takes a different approach. We use 18mm solid backs on every single unit. This isn’t just a thicker piece of material; it’s the same high-quality Egger and Kronospan board used for the rest of the carcass (sides, top, and bottom). This creates a fully enclosed, exceptionally strong box construction. The result is a cabinet that resists warping, remains perfectly square, and provides unparalleled stability for your worktops and appliances, ensuring your Sunderland 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 Sunderland?

For homeowners in Sunderland, particularly those renovating properties in desirable areas, SJB Kitchens offers compelling advantages. The grand Edwardian terraces of Ashbrooke, the solid Victorian homes in Roker and Hendon, or the executive properties in Tunstall, often feature unique layouts that standard kitchen units struggle to accommodate. SJB’s commitment to bespoke sizing, included as standard, means your kitchen will be precisely tailored to your home’s exact dimensions, flawlessly integrating with alcoves, chimney breasts, and unusual wall configurations without costly fillers or compromises.

In coastal areas like Seaburn and Roker, where modern extensions and open-plan living are popular, our handleless and slab ranges are frequently chosen. The clean, minimalist aesthetic complements the contemporary feel of these homes, and the robust 18mm rigid construction provides the necessary strength to support expansive islands and heavy stone worktops, crucial in a high-traffic kitchen.

For new-builds and renovation projects in developing areas like Riverside Sunderland or the newer estates around Doxford Park, SJB’s rapid 10-working-day delivery is invaluable. Our fully rigid, pre-assembled units arrive ready for installation, eliminating the need for on-site assembly, helping to keep your project on schedule and budget.

Sunderland is a city that appreciates quality and value. When you choose SJB, you’re not just getting a kitchen; you’re investing in superior construction, customisation, and efficiency. Our 18mm solid-backed units offer durability that surpasses many alternatives, often at a price point significantly more competitive than high street retailers like Howdens. Steve Ball, with over 20 years of expertise, is on hand to personally guide you through your Sunderland kitchen project. Call 0161 509 4221 or email info@sjball.uk to discuss your requirements and receive a detailed quote.

Explore More Kitchens in Sunderland


Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We deliver to every SR postcode across Sunderland and the surrounding area — from SR1 in the city centre to SR7 in Seaham. Delivery is available from as little as 10 working days from order confirmation, significantly faster than the 4-8 weeks DIY Kitchens typically requires.

Absolutely. Ashbrooke’s Edwardian terraces often have kitchen spaces with non-standard dimensions due to chimney breasts, alcoves, and bay windows. SJB includes bespoke sizing as standard on every order, so your units are made to your exact millimetre measurements at no extra cost.

DIY Kitchens use 6-9mm back panels. SJB uses 18mm solid backs on every cabinet — the same Egger and Kronospan board as the rest of the carcass. This creates a fully rigid box that will not flex, rack, or go out of square over time.

SJB kitchens are fully rigid built. Every cabinet arrives pre-assembled — glued, dowelled, and stapled together before delivery. No on-site assembly required on site. This is the same construction method used by premium German kitchen brands.

For a typical Sunderland kitchen (8-12 units), SJB is competitively priced against DIY Kitchens and 30-50% cheaper than Howdens. You get 18mm solid backs, bespoke sizing included, and 10-day delivery.

Request a Free Quote

Not sure where to start? Just drop your details below or upload a rough sketch or floor plan. I’ll give you a ring to talk through the best layout for your home — no sales pressure, just honest trade advice from someone who’s been in kitchens for 20 years.

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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.