We're in the process of looking for a new kitchen. I quite fancy a cream/vanilla high gloss one and have seen ones I like in both Wickes & Howdens. My concern is how easy they are to keep clean - I'm worried they might show marks easily and look streaky or smeary. Can anyone advise? We have 2 small children! Would also be interested in your views on the quality of the kitchens of the 2 companies I mentioned above.
We have the Howdens high gloss white one, it was installed in December and i have a 23m old and can honestly say that it does not show marks or look grubby at all. Quality seems good, the kitchen where i work is Howdens and is 5 years old used by 30+ people ans still looks good so i took this as a good sign when i chose mine.
We have used high gloss before and keeping it clean all depends on how much you use your kitchen! If it is often and the kids are running around you, you will for ever wiping them down.
They can show the marks of little fingers - more so than wood ones - but they do clean up easy - just a soft wet cloth and then a dry cloth - you can not scrub them, they will sratch.
One thing to think about is the little ones banging into them - we had one that chipped and it could not be fixed.
But saying all that I am doing a house up now that has a orginal 1980's red gloss kitchen in it and it still looks fab.
Howdens are fine - also try Magnet they do a nice gloss range and the quality is good - not sure if you are trade - but they have a trade price list
I've found white gloss to be far better to keep clean than wood/wood look that we had in past. You don't see the dirt on darker ones which tends to make people a bit lax.
But white gloss with a bit of Flash and an e-cloth comes up so nice and shiny and you know it's clean. Any marks get wiped daily and for that reason I'll always choose light coloured I think. It just feels cleaner!
But yes ours had a small chip in one, can be touched up with a grout pen, upvc paint, white gloss or white nail varnish to minimise though.
We have had a Howdens white gloss kitchen now for 2 1/2 years. It's used a lot (have 2 allotments)and not difficult to keep clean. I agree with Holy cheeses that wood/.wood like units are more difficult to keep looking good. I opted for the composite 1 1/2 kitchen sink in dark grey which is phantastic. It doesn't scratch.
