Has anyone used Ikea cabinets?

[-cycosis-]

Im at the kitchen planning stage. I really dont have the carpentry skills to build nice looking cabinets. My idea was to build my own boxes out of strong material and use Ikea cabinet doors.

Has anyone used ikea cabinets? How have they held up?

[StrayPoet]

Ikea stuff can be great or terrible depending on the material and your application. I would avoid anything that is made of chip board. It simply is not durable enough for the kind of conditions in a conversion.

Ikea makes some thing out of solid woods, and some out of chip board. Look carefully to know which you are buying.

Ikea makes some great things, but they do their best to reduce costs (as do most manufacturers) just make sure that those compromises aren't in areas that will negatively affect your build. (like hinges, fasteners ect)

[brokedown]

Lots of variables unfortunately. Anything MDF will naturally be heavier and more susceptible to damage from vibration and moisture than real wood, but it's certainly possible to make weak cabinets from boards too. Anything with 90 degree corner fastener junctions that aren't reinforced will be far far weaker than something with a wood/glue joint or some 45 degree reinforcements. A lot of that stuff you get in a box is designed to stay with a house after you've sold it because it will break if you try to move it.

I have seen more than one bus that had lots of Ikea in it that is holding up great.

[weboughtabus]

Something worth looking into is Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, green demolition stores or Craigslist. Lots of people renovate perfectly good kitchens and need to get rid of the existing cabinetry. Sometimes all they'd need to look decent is a good coat of paint or a washing. I've even seen lots of listings for kitchen cabinets for free on Craigslist.

[-cycosis-]

Been following Kijiji up here for months and same with re store. Nothing good enormity this. Just garbage

[brokedown]

Originally Posted by -cycosis-

Been following Kijiji up here for months and same with re store. Nothing good enormity this. Just garbage

I've never managed to find anything at restores but I know other people have done well. The one near me right now mostly sells used romance novels and half full buckets of paint....

[weboughtabus]

Originally Posted by -cycosis-

Been following Kijiji up here for months and same with re store. Nothing good enormity this. Just garbage

Originally Posted by brokedown

I've never managed to find anything at restores but I know other people have done well. The one near me right now mostly sells used romance novels and half full buckets of paint....

Oh wow. I didn't realize that other ReStores would have such meager selections. I've not been to our local ReStore, yet, but a friend's parents renovated their whole kitchen with beautiful cabinets and stone counters from there.