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Modular vs Carpenter-Made Kitchen: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Know the basic differences between a modular kitchen and a carpenter-made kitchen so that you can pick your winner

Pooja Khanna Tyagi 1 December 2019

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner, and love Writing Poetry and Creative Stories on Building Design. Have been practicing since the year 2000 with specialization in the field of Corporate Interiors with projects extensively published in journals of national repute. Recently honoured with the reputed A3 Foundation award for Journalism for the year 2016. Currently practicing and residing in Delhi. Website: www.khannaenterprise.com, Email: poojakhanna224@gmail.com, M:9891993392

Houzz India Contributor. An Architect , Interior Designer, Valuer, a Marathon Runner,... More

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Kitchens can be broadly categorised into factory-made modular kitchens and carpenter-made conventional kitchens. Since both these kitchens come with their own pros and cons, there are debates and questions on which option is better and why. Although modular kitchens are in high demand, make it a point to check for ease of use, efficiency and maintenance required in both these kitchens before you make a choice.

Blakes of Sydney

Modular kitchen

A modular kitchen is manufactured in factories in the form of ready-to-install modules that are easy to transport and assemble at site.
These kitchens are a combination of tall units, wall storage units, overhead cabinets, drawers and shelves, including space for built-in appliances and so on.
The kitchen modules are flexible and can be assembled to fit pretty much any design you like, such as L-shaped, U-shaped, parallel and gallery kitchens.

Get inspired! Browse these Houzz photos of modular kitchen designs

R.Z.Owens Constructions

Pros

Expert professionals design the modular kitchen, customising it per the requirements of the homeowner.They ensure maximum functionality and optimum space management. During the design process, 3D views are generated as per the proposed design and colour selection so that the homeowner can visualise the overall design of the kitchen before fabrication.
A modular kitchen imparts a sleek, high-end modern look to the home.
If the homeowner plans to shift to a different location, the kitchen modules can be easily dismantled and reassembled at the new site.
Modular kitchens come with a flawless factory-made finish. The edgebanding (where raw edges of the cabinet panels are finished with a thin strip of wood or PVC) gives a neat and seamless look as it does not form sharp edges or corners in the cabinetry.
These kitchens have a transparent pricing. Once the design and finishes are finalised, the cost is calculated and fixed by the manufacturer.
Since a modular kitchen is factory made, it ensures a fuss-free and neat installation at site.

JACK ROSEN CUSTOM KITCHENS

Modular kitchens impart a de-cluttered look and have provision for organised storage with the installation of modular kitchen accessories. The different types of kitchen accessories include bottle-racks, cutlery organisers, a corner carousel that makes use of the otherwise inaccessible corners of the kitchen and so on.
There are many options to choose from, in terms of colours, finishes and countertop materials for the modular kitchen. These kitchens can be fabricated and installed within four to six weeks.
Modular kitchens are easy to maintain because they have a smooth finish and do not get attacked by termites. Reputed modular kitchen manufacturing brands offer good warranty periods and the parts are easy to change or replace, in case of any damage.

FORMA Design

Cons

A modular kitchen is more expensive than a carpenter-made kitchen.
Once the design is finalised and the kitchen goes into production, no changes can be incorporated.
Do not go for modular kitchens made with MDF, because this material may disintegrate when exposed to moisture and the hinges may loosen over time.

American Traditional Kitchen Traditional Kitchen

Carpenter-made kitchen

These kitchen are constructed by carpenters as per the requirements of the homeowner. The best part of carpenter-made kitchens is that traditional panelling, mouldings and cornices can be incorporated within the design of the kitchen, as in the image above.
The entire job can be handed over to the contractor on a turnkey basis or the homeowner can purchase the raw materials and get the work done on a labour-contract basis.

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RS | MANNINO Architecture + Construction

Pros

A carpenter-made kitchen can be fabricated using different finishes, colours, patterns and countertop materials.
The fabrication of the carpentered kitchen is more cost-effective and affordable in comparison to modular kitchens.
Unlike modular kitchens, alterations can be made when the carpentry work of the kitchen is in progress. Additionally, the homeowner can keep a check on the quality of the materials that are being used to construct a carpenter-made kitchen.

Tip: It is advisable to get the kitchen designed by a professional and then get it fabricated by a carpenter, to ensure good aesthetics and maximum utilisation of space.

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YourStyle Kitchens Ltd

Cons

The final quality of the kitchen mainly depends on the skill and workmanship of the team of carpenters.
Since these kitchens are fabricated at the actual site, a lot of mess, noise and dust is generated at site, which might cause inconvenience to the homeowner.
The cabinets are fixed permanently onto the wall which makes it difficult to dismantle the kitchen if the homeowner plans to shift to a different location.
A carpenter-made kitchen can take between six to eight weeks or more for completion.
The cost of a carpenter-made kitchen may vary from the original estimate if there is a change in the choice of materials, slow progress in the work by the carpenters, delay in procuring the raw materials or a slow selection process by the homeowner.

Note: Carpentered kitchens can also function as semi-modular kitchens. How? Modular kitchen accessories can be purchased separately so that the carpenter can fix the kitchen accessories in the cabinets and drawers of the kitchen.

Studio Sarah Willmer Architecture

Therefore, modular kitchens are more efficient in terms of design, ensure maximum utilisation of space and a hassle-free installation. It is highly recommended for modern homes, especially for compact apartments.

Read more:
5 Mistakes to Avoid While Designing Your Modular Kitchen
How to Bring a Kitchen Work Triangle Into Different Types of Kitchens

Tell us:
Do you prefer a modular kitchen or a carpenter-made kitchen for your home and why? Share in Comments below.

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Gokul Chand Sharma

I would like to add to your conclusions that now even carpenter made kitchens are also made in moduler form with accessories and organisers included by sourcing from market. Carpenters can be engaged after a design is selected.

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