Kickboards are the foundation of every kitchen. They have one job, and that is to support the weight of everything on top of them. This weight is usually made up of:

  • stone or laminate bench tops
  • cabinet carcasses
  • everything you intend to store inside those cabinets.

There are two types of kickboards currently available on the market. Ladder frame and plastic adjustable legs. Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of both methods.

Ladder Frame:

Ladder frame kick boards are what cabinet makers have been using to support kitchens for many years. They are a frame that is tied together at various points, and look – just like their name implies – like a ladder. This makes for one strong and supportive base for the cabinets.

Pros:

  • This method is time tested.
  • They are much stronger and more supportive of the weight of the kitchen.
  • They are unlikely to break off.
  • They seal off the area beneath the cabinets more effectively.
  • Bench top movement is less likely to occur, if installed correctly.
  • When feet contact them (kick) there is no bounce or movement.

Cons:

  • They traditionally take longer to manufacture and install.
  • If there is a water leak, and they are not caulked correctly, they can swell due to water penetration.

Plastic adjustable legs:

These are individual plastic adjustable legs that sit underneath each cabinet.

Pros:

  • They are much quicker, cheaper and easier for the cabinet maker to install.
  • Kickboard fronts clip directly onto the legs and are usually easily removable.

Cons:

  • They are not as strong as ladder kickers.
  • They have been known to break.
  • If not installed correctly, bench top movement is more than likely to occur.
  • You need many legs to support the cabinets. Usually 4 legs per carcass, sometimes even 6.
  • Gaps need to be maintained around the kick board fronts in order to facilitate kickboard removal.
  • These gaps means more insect and vermin intrusion.
  • When feet contact them (kick) they can bounce, making the kitchen lose that solid feel.

So going by personal experience, ladder kickboards is the way to go. All our joinery is built using this method. We are certain that our clients prefer to have the job done right the first time.