B&Q "cooke & lewis" cabinets

Jan 12, 2017 2 Replies
5 years ago installing kitchen the cooke and lewis cabinets were quite good quality with MDF 8mm backs - they made a point of the strong backs. Just g ot a new larder unit to finally finish off the end section of the kitchen a nd it has flimsy 3.2mm hardboard backs. A feeble bit of cross bracing has b een added to try to help. But, a new Trade Point "click fit" range has 8mm backs. Strange that.

Anyway, quality is down, I'd think twice about the range now.



Simon.


what do you proposed to do with these cupboards that sees you risking breaking through the backs?

I've got 8 year old cupboards here (installed before they became mine) and the backs are all perfectly sound

I accept that they might be more prone to rattling a little but that is solved by gluing them in place (unfortunately too fiddly as a reto-fit)

tim

Non-hardboard backs just make a more sturdy cabinet - thats all. B&Q had two kitchen ranges, "IT" and Cooke and Lewis. The C&L carcasses were better quality. I think they are using the same carasses for both ranges now.

Anyway, other quality reductions:

- The cams are now a hollow casting that looks very weak - they do not seem to lock securely.

- All panels have as-thin-as-you-can-get melamine veneer on the undersides.

- The shelves have no veneer on the sides or back

- The shelves do not seat securely but just sit on top of little prongs.

- The legs are more spindley and have a much smaller contact area.

You get the idea !

Simon.

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