Kitchen refurbishment The durability debate
Bob Andrew of Elfin Kitchens, discusses the importance of using durable materials in kitchen refurbishments and the benefits of thinking small
Consequently, it is no surprise that the private rented sector is continuing to grow and landlords are having to provide affordable, practical accommodation. With many properties rented on a temporary basis for short tenures,
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there is an inevitable cycle of maintenance. Consequently, it is vital for landlords to equip a studio, apartment or house with items that are durable and built to last. One area that can be at risk of damage is the kitchen, which can often bear the brunt of constant use. This can lead to continuous, costly and time-consuming maintenance. However, the wider, underlying issue to consider is that traditional
timber-based kitchen cabinets are not always built with durability in mind. At the lower end of the market, doors and drawers are regularly manufactured from low grade materials, such as chipboard, making them highly susceptible to damage and water ingress. Furthermore, in many rental properties, space is at a premium, and traditional cabinetry is restricted, often requiring fixed cabinets to be adapted to fit a space correctly. These factors can quickly translate into spending a disproportionate amount of time designing, developing and maintaining individual properties, which adds extra, unnecessary costs to an overall budget.
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recent report by the charity Shelter revealed that tens of thousands of families are being forced to wait more than a decade to move into social housing, with the number of homes dwindling to a record low.
Consequently, it is vital for landlords to equip a studio, apartment or house with items that are durable and built to last
Consequently, landlords and social housing managers would be wise to
look at pre-built compact kitchens as an excellent alternative. This type of kitchen offers a combination of style, flexibility and practicality, as well as an integrated robust design, that is created to last far beyond the term of a tenancy. This is certainly the case with models manufactured from powder coated steel which have been specifically designed to withstand even the toughest environments. Such a specification is essential in properties with a high turnover of tenants which need to be ready for new occupants at short notice. Compact, mini kitchens can also be conveniently delivered to a site in one
piece and quickly installed thanks to a ‘plug and play’ design which simply requires an electrical supply, water and drainage to be connected. Of course, for any kitchen to work in a rental property, it needs to be practical and provide all the necessary levels of cooking, storage and food preparation facilities. So, for
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