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I posted a couple of days ago with a sink question, and mentioned how I love IKEA cabinets, but my husband and our contractor have doubts about their durability. Well, I got a quote for ordinary American-style framed cabinets today, and it is high enough to send me running back to IKEA. But I need data to convince my husband (and myself) that this is the right decision.
So, how long have some of you had IKEA cabinets? How are they holding up? I need my cabinets to last 20 years, not 5. I often see the cabinets in the store looking beat up. Now I know they get hard use, but I am not going to baby my cabinets either. I have two 7-year-olds, and a husband who is hard on whatever he touches.
This is my main worry. I love the look and function of IKEA cabinets, but I am hesitant to buy them unless they will really hold up. Anyone want to share a case history?
I have not had my cabinets long enough to personally testify to their longevity (so far, so good ).
But I think it's worth considering the value of Ikea's modularity. Suppose your 7 yr olds DO kick, scratch, draw, etc.. all over your cabs. It's not likely they will damage the insides, so all you have to do to have a "new" kitchen is to pop the hinges and drawer fronts off (super easy when you know the trick) and pop on new ones. Presto, new kitchen! Maybe you could even plan for that by buying a lower priced style "for now": one of the Nexus lines if you want wood, Stat or Applad if you want white, or even Arlig if you feel very frugal. Just make sure you like it because it might end up lasting longer than you thought it would!
Now compare costs if your kids do the same thing to your new framed cabs: you'll have to fix the doors and the frames! Will you really save money here?
You could argue Ikea has the same advantage as any frameless system--if the fronts are all that's exposed, that's all you have to replace. But Ikea's fronts also come with a whole system of inexpensive high quality internal components from a premiere company (Blum). Honestly, you can't really get better quality hardware. I happen to think a few of Blum's non-Ikea products are cooler, but you pay a huge price premium because you can't take advantage of Ikea's bulk purchasing power.
As for the boxes being made of particle board, people will point out to you that it's better quality, thicker than average, etc.. Is it perfect? No, but it's pretty darn good and very easy to work with. (The ability to save labor costs by doing some or all of the work yourself should not be dismissed either). If you truly want to compete on net quality, you're definitely going to pay more, probably a lot more. And nothing will be perfect, even then.
One thing that might help is to visit a high end european kitchen showroom, if one is available. You'll see that they use the same Blum parts, the same particle board in many cases (but with fancier colored sheathing), etc.. Then compare price tags and see how everyone feels
I second this query. I am sorely tempted by Ikea cabinetry and really want to buy for our redo in Texas, but there is virtually no negative critical feedback on this website. It is, after all, called IkeaFans... I just read today some criticism of the laminate countertop quality, but I have not read any postings from anyone who has had their cabinets for ten years. Lifers, where are you?
Also, here in Germany, the guaratee on the cabinets has gone up to 25 years, but it has stayed at 10 years in the States. Ikea workers - do you know if there are different production sources for the different markets?
I desperately want to be convinced to buy, but really want to hear from people who LIVE in their kitchen with kids/dogs/parties, and to hear how things have held up long term. For my part, I want an Ikea kitchen because it is just as good and lasts as long as other brands of kitchen, but is cheaper. I don't want to replace any kitchen doors I buy.
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Also, here in Germany, the guaratee on the cabinets has gone up to 25 years, but it has stayed at 10 years in the States. Ikea workers - do you know if there are different production sources for the different markets?
Maria,
The guarantee here in the US has gone to 25 years as of June 2007 - look at the 2008 IKEA Kitchen catalog pages 80-81.
Two of our IKEA Installers installed their first IKEA Kitchens (in their own homes) 20 years ago when IKEA first debuted in North America. I'll go poke them to see if they'll pop in with their perspective(s).
There is a thread around here somewhere where this was addressed, and
IIRC
, there were a number of people who testified to their long-term kitchen's durability. I'll see if I can find it.
But before I go....Remind your husband that simply paying more for cabinets doesn't make them last longer. Other cabinet lines use very similar, if not identical materials and the wear and tear will be similar.
The cabinets in high end cabinetry shops look great partially because they don't have shopping carts banging around. Think about it...Lowes and Home Depot display cabinets look ok (or in some cases, NOT) right after they're installed, but they also get banged up...and at 3x-4x the base price.
Well, I assembled my very first Ikea kitchen 13 years ago. At the time I bought the chepeast model they had. Until last October (when I moved houses) the cabinet structures had not budged a single milimeter.
These things last and last.
What exactly was his concern? He might be thinking that the cabinets are made similarly to some of their less-expensive furniture lines, and that would be an incorrect assumption. We have a whole forum called "Why IKEA?" devoted to that exact question. You'll find plenty of support for high end designers, architects and savvy consumers choosing IKEA, even when they can afford the very best cabinet lines. They are also regularly featured across many of the design shows on HGTV, not just the "budget" remodels as well as nearly every design magazine out there today. There's tremendous value for your money with IKEA cabinets.
And of course, there is the Consumer Reports report that rated IKEA cabinets HIGHER than every other store brand out there, and they came in second to the ultra-premium brands (not found at the big box stores, the ones you need a designer to get) at literally 65% less cost.
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Cabinet longevity?
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