CATEGORY FAQS
Kitchens & Doors FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about our kitchen and door products, installation, and care.
About Our Kitchen & Door Supplies
Our kitchen and door range includes everything you need for a professional finish – from cabinets, doors and worktops to hinges, fittings and accessories.
What's Included
Why It Matters
The right materials and methods ensure your kitchens and doors look better, last longer, and perform well in any environment.
Choosing the Right Kitchen & Door Products
Which kitchen units are best for refurbishment projects?
Kitchen refurbishment projects benefit from durable, well-constructed units that are easy to install and built to withstand everyday use.
Choosing quality cabinets helps ensure doors remain aligned, worktops are properly supported and the finished kitchen performs reliably in residential, commercial and social housing properties.
Can I replace kitchen doors without replacing the entire kitchen?
Yes. Replacing kitchen doors, drawer fronts, panels and plinths is a cost-effective way to refresh an existing kitchen without removing the cabinets.
It’s an ideal solution where the carcasses remain in good condition, helping reduce costs, installation time, and disruption.
What's the difference between kitchen cabinets, doors and carcasses?
Kitchen cabinets (or carcasses) form the structural framework of the kitchen.
Kitchen doors and drawer fronts provide the visible finish, while panels, plinths and trims complete the installation.
Replacing individual components can often transform the appearance of a kitchen without a full replacement, minimising the overall cost of a refurbishment project significantly.
How do I choose the right internal doors for my project?
The right internal door depends on the property’s style, the level of use and the required finish.
Factors such as durability, ease of maintenance and compatibility with existing frames should all be considered, particularly for refurbishment and planned maintenance projects.
The Orion team are able to provide expert advice on the best solution for your project, and we stock a large range of door types and sizes.
What should I consider when specifying kitchens for social housing?
Kitchens for social housing should balance durability, practicality and long-term value. Components should withstand frequent daily use, be straightforward to maintain and allow simple replacement of individual parts where necessary.
Orion supplies kitchens and door products for maintenance contractors and housing providers from our Peckham and Rochester branches. We can deliver directly to your project or you are welcome to visit us and buy in-person.
We also offer a Click and Collect service – if you order by 3pm (online or by phone) your products will be picked and ready for collection from 7am the next day, saving you valuable time.
Installation & Fitting
What do I need for a complete kitchen installation?
A complete kitchen installation typically includes cabinets, doors, panels, plinths, worktops, hinges, drawer runners, handles, sinks and the appropriate fittings and fixings.
Having all components available before installation helps reduce delays and achieve a professional finish, one of the main benefits of partnering with Orion Trade Supplies as we can supply everything you need to complete your project.
Why are quality kitchen hinges and drawer runners important?
Kitchen hinges and drawer runners are used every day and have a significant impact on how a kitchen performs over time.
Quality fittings help doors remain aligned, drawers operate smoothly and reduce the need for future adjustments or maintenance, saving significant refurbishment costs over time. Orion only stock the highest quality kitchen hardware as we understand the need for long-term reliability for housing associations in particular.
How can I avoid problems when fitting kitchen doors?
Accurate measurements, correctly adjusted hinges and compatible fittings all help ensure kitchen doors hang evenly and operate smoothly.
Using quality, matched components from the outset reduces snagging and helps deliver a consistent finish across the installation. Sourcing from a single supplier such as Orion Trade Supplies helps to ensure such problems are mitigated.
Why is it important to match kitchen fittings?
Using compatible hinges, runners, handles and fixings helps maintain consistent alignment, smooth operation and a uniform appearance, as well as extending the lifespan of the units.
Matching components also simplifies future maintenance and replacement.
What should I check before ordering kitchen units and doors?
Before ordering, confirm cabinet sizes, door dimensions, hinge positions and finish requirements. Checking measurements early helps avoid installation delays and ensures all components fit correctly when they arrive.
Why is stock availability important for kitchen and door projects?
Kitchen and door replacements often form part of larger refurbishment programmes with strict completion dates. Delays in obtaining materials can affect multiple trades and extend project timelines.
Orion focuses on maintaining high stock availability to help contractors avoid unnecessary delays. Our Rochester and Peckham branch warehouses are kept well stocked to ensure we can always supply our customers’ needs.
Kitchen & Door Maintenance
How do I keep kitchen units looking their best?
Regular cleaning using non-abrasive products helps maintain kitchen doors, cabinets and worktops. Promptly removing grease, moisture and spills helps preserve the finish and extends the lifespan of the kitchen.
Orion Trade Supplies stock a wide range of suitable cleaning materials – our team can advise on the most appropriate product for your project.
How do I stop kitchen doors dropping or becoming misaligned?
Kitchen doors can move over time through regular use. Periodically checking and adjusting hinges helps maintain alignment, while quality hinges reduce the need for frequent adjustments.
Using reliable hinges, runners and handles also improves the overall feel of the kitchen, reduces maintenance requirements and helps avoid premature failures caused by everyday use.
What's the best way to maintain internal doors?
Internal doors should be cleaned regularly and hinges, handles and latches checked for wear. Keeping fittings secure and making minor adjustments when needed helps doors continue to operate smoothly and safely.
Why is preventative maintenance important for kitchens?
High-use kitchens benefit from periodic inspections of hinges, drawer runners, handles and fixings. Identifying minor wear early can prevent more expensive repairs and minimise disruption.
Routine maintenance helps extend the life of kitchen components, reduces replacement costs and keeps kitchens functioning safely and efficiently. It also helps minimise call-backs and reactive maintenance.
Kitchen Components & Hardware
Which kitchen fittings wear out most quickly?
Hinges, drawer runners and handles experience the greatest daily use and are the components most commonly replaced during maintenance programmes. Choosing quality hardware helps improve long-term reliability.
Orion carries a large range of kitchen fittings and hardware, and can quickly source more uncommon fittings if required.
Why are kitchen panels and plinths important?
Panels and plinths complete the appearance of a fitted kitchen while protecting cabinet edges and concealed areas from everyday wear and damage.
Often, simply renewing panels and plinths will revitalise a kitchen, and Orion’s range of high quality materials offers a cost-effective solution.
When should I replace kitchen doors instead of repairing them?
Where doors are badly damaged, swollen or no longer align correctly, replacement is often the most practical and cost-effective solution, repair is rarely a suitable long-term solution. Replacing doors can also modernise the appearance of an existing kitchen without replacing the cabinets.
The range of kitchen doors available at Orion’s Rochester and Peckham branches provides refurbishment and maintenance teams broad options that will suit most projects.
Internal Doors & Door Frames
When should internal doors be replaced?
Internal doors should be replaced when they become damaged, warped or no longer operate correctly. Replacing worn doors improves both appearance and functionality while helping maintain the quality of the property. There are safety concerns to consider, too, especially with regards to fire safety doors.
Orion stock a large range of doors, including FD30 rated fire check doors.
Why is choosing the correct door frame important?
Correctly sized and installed door frames help doors operate smoothly, reduce sticking and ensure a consistent finish throughout the property. Safety is enhanced with correctly fitted doors and frames, also.
What should I consider when replacing multiple internal doors or door frames?
Consistency in door style, finish and hardware creates a professional appearance while simplifying future maintenance and replacement across multiple properties.
Hinges, handles, latches and other frequently used ironmongery should be inspected during refurbishment projects and replaced where necessary to improve reliability and appearance.
Sourcing Reliable Kitchen & Door Supplies
Can I source all my kitchen and door products from one supplier?
Yes. Orion supplies kitchen units, cabinet doors, worktops, sinks, fittings, internal doors, door frames and hardware alongside decorating materials, plumbing supplies, flooring, timber, tools and site consumables.
Sourcing everything from one supplier helps simplify procurement, reduce project delays, and save money on tight budgets.
Why do contractors choose Orion Trade Supplies for kitchen and door supplies?
Contractors choose Orion because we stock the products needed for kitchen refurbishments, planned maintenance and social housing projects in one place.
From cabinets and doors to hinges and runners, worktops and internal doors, our range helps save time while delivering dependable quality.
Our teams at our Rochester and Peckham branches are also happy to provide support and advice to ensure you select the most appropriate products for your project – we want to help you get the most out of every job you work on.
Do you supply products suitable for social housing kitchen refurbishments?
Yes. Orion’s Kitchens & Doors range has been selected to support maintenance contractors, housing associations and refurbishment specialists carrying out planned works and void property refurbishments.
Our focus is on durable, professional products that offer long-term value.
Do you offer Trade Accounts with credit facilities for contractors?
Yes. Orion supports contractors, maintenance companies, and housing associations with Trade Accounts, offering competitive pricing, credit facilities (subject to approval) and services designed to make procurement more efficient.
Find out more and apply on our Trade Account page.
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