Vinyl wrapping is perhaps best known for car wrapping, which is a popular alternative to re-spraying.
Kitchens can also be vinyl wrapped, which gives them a new lease of life without replacing doors, worktops, plinths, etc.
This is considerably cheaper than installing new worktops, doors and other fittings and gives homeowners access to a near-limitless selection of colours and styles.
Kitchen wraps vary from sleek, modern grey and metallic colours to marble and wood effects.
This is article will review how much kitchen wrapping costs in the UK, factors that affect the cost and other common questions surrounding kitchen wrapping.
Average Cost of Kitchen Wraps
By contacting five kitchen wrapping specialists, we found the following costs of wrapping kitchens.
Total costs include labour and supply. Kitchen wrap installers typically handle the entire process from disassembling and preparing kitchens to minor repairs, wrapping and finishing.
| Item | Mid-Range | High-End |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Door | £80 to £180 | £180 to £240 |
| Cost Per Worktop | £100 to £200 | £220 to £280 |
| Labour | £250 to £400 per day | £250 to £400 per day |
| Total Cost | ||
| Total Cost Kitchen With 14 Doors | £1,500 to £3,250 | £3,500 to £4,750 |
| Total Cost Kitchen With 14 Doors and 3 Worktops | £2,000 to £3,750 | £4,500 to £6,000+ |
| Total Cost Kitchen With 18 Doors and 5 Worktops | £2,400 to £5,000 | £5,750 to £7,500+ |
Factors Affecting the Cost of Vinyl Wraps
The cost of kitchen wraps depends on a few factors:
Size of Kitchen
The most obvious factor is the size of the kitchen. Larger kitchens involve more doors and worktops, which need to be covered. Each door costs around £80 to £250, and worktops might cost more depending on size.
Choice of Vinyl Wrap
As a rule of thumb, the more fancy and high-quality the wrap, the more expensive it is.
Plain gloss and matte colours are the cheapest. Textured and stone effects are among the most expensive.
All reputable kitchen wrappers will adhere to certain standards. Many wraps are manufactured by reputable brands like 3M – always ask if you’re unsure, as reputable brands provide longer warranties.
Kitchen Disassembly
To install kitchen wraps, it’s first necessary to disassemble the kitchen and its constituent parts.
Complex kitchens will take longer to dissemble, increasing the project’s cost.
Repairs
You can’t wrap damaged doors or worktops. Any damage will need to be filled and repaired prior to wrapping, which comes at an extra cost.
Minor cosmetic scratches aren’t usually an issue, as surfaces will be sanded and prepared prior to wrapping.
New Kitchen Designs
Many people choose to wrap a kitchen at the same time as installing new handles, appliances, sinks, taps, etc. Obviously, any extra kitchen design elements surplus to wrapping will come at an additional cost.
What Is Kitchen Wrapping?
Kitchen wrapping involves wrapping kitchen doors, worktops and plinths with hard-wearing vinyl wraps. The process is similar to that of wrapping a car, and shares many of the same benefits.
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house, if not the most important. Studies show that new kitchens and kitchen renovation can add some 10% value to any home.
Installing a new kitchen is the comprehensive option but can easily cost in excess of £10,000, more typically £15,000+.
That’s outside of many people’s price range, and it also comes with significant disruption to the kitchen and the rest of the home. Moreover, many homeowners don’t want to completely rip out their kitchen and would prefer to just upgrade it.
That’s where vinyl wraps come in. Vinyl kitchen wraps are applied to the worktop, doors, plinths and other visible surfaces that form the “kerbside view” of a kitchen.
Wrapping these surfaces vastly improves the looks and aesthetics of the kitchen without replacing everything.
Kitchen Wraps vs Architectural Films
Kitchen wraps and architectural films are one of the same.
Architectural films are super-tough self-adhesive wraps that you stick to surfaces. They’re found everywhere, from building interiors to train stations, hospitals and schools.
Kitchen wraps and architectural films are both constructed from hard-wearing self-adhesive vinyl. The wraps are stretched to conform to the edges and contours of worktops and doors.
3M is one of the most well-known and reputable architectural film providers. You can view their catalogue for 2020 to 2020 here (courtesy of Ozwraps). CoverStyl is another reputable supplier.
It’s worth highlighting that these products are specifically designed for architectural and design purposes and are extremely strong and hard-wearing.
When you choose a kitchen wrapper, it’s crucial to find out what products they use. Look for reputable brands like 3M and CoverStyl.
Most manufacturers provide sample books or brochures that contain available colours and designs.
Kitchen Wrapping Benefits
Kitchen wraps are an excellent way to revamp kitchen worktops, doors, plinths and other key areas. You can also wrap the main kitchen door.
In fact, pretty much any flat surface in your home can be wrapped, including desks, doors, chests of drawers, cupboards, etc.
Here are the benefits of kitchen wrapping:
Cost Effective
Kitchen wrapping is a fraction of the cost of replacing a kitchen or even replacing the doors and worktops only.
Doors and worktops provide most of the visual appeal of a new kitchen, and you can make a big impact by changing them while leaving other elements unaltered.
Choice of Colour And Design
Fancy a cutting-edge metallic kitchen? Or marble worktops? You can with kitchen wraps.
Kitchen wraps are available in all sorts of colours and styles which suit any kitchen design. You can find kitchen wrap inspiration and before and afters on Pinterest.
Hard-Wearing
Vinyl wraps are very tough and hard-wearing. They’re at least as strong as traditional door and worktop surfaces.
Most vinyl can withstand high temperatures of 80C or higher without damage. Modern wraps are significantly better than they were.
Quick to Install
Vinyl wraps can be installed in a day or two. The process is simple and requires little disruption to the kitchen and house.
Excellent Finishes
Vinyl wraps look great and feel high-quality. They have a soft, sumptuous feel.
When a vinyl wrap is done well, it looks high-end and is even suitable for the most modern, luxurious kitchens.
Types of Kitchen Wraps
Kitchen wraps are available in all sorts of colours and styles. In fact, most kitchen wraps are the same products used to wrap cars – some weird and wacky designs are available if you’re that way inclined!
The main types of kitchen wraps include:
- High gloss
- Matte
- Wood effect
- Stone effect
- Patterned
- Textured
- Metallic
- Pearlescent
- Glitter
Some of the most popular kitchen wraps are stylish, plain colours like grey and white, and stone effect wraps like marble. Marble worktops are exceptionally expensive but can be recreated using wraps at a tiny fraction of the price.
Contrary to what many assume, modern vinyl wraps feel smooth and sumptuous and certainly don’t look plasticky or tacky.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Kitchen Wrap?
Kitchen wraps are relatively quick to install. Before installing, the doors and worktops will need to be removed from their fittings and possibly sanded prior to wrap application.
Surfaces are prepped for the wrap, which is installed similarly to a car wrap. Heat guns are sometimes used to bond the wrap to angles, but aren’t always required. Wraps are self-adhesive.
The entire process is likely to take 2 to 3 days. Larger kitchens will take longer.
How Long Do Kitchen Wraps Last?
Kitchen wraps are tough and long-lasting, but they don’t last forever. Reputable manufacturers typically guarantee their products for 10 years, but they can certainly last longer.
Taking care of the wrap is important, as is avoiding contact with anything that would damage it. For the most part, kitchen wraps are easy to look after and last as long as many typical work surfaces.
How Easy Are Kitchen Wraps to Remove?
Removing kitchen wraps is pretty easy if you ever want to redecorate. This usually requires the service of specialist wrap professionals who will remove the wraps without damaging worktops.
Will Kitchen Wraps Fix Damaged Kitchen Cupboards and Worktops?
Sadly not! Since wraps hug the surface of doors and worktops, they show up dents and deep scratches. Light scratches will probably be okay, as they can be sanded out.
Any larger dents or damage will need to be repaired, which is straightforward enough.
How to Choose a Kitchen Wrapper
Look for a reputable kitchen wrapper with a portfolio of successful jobs and plenty of feedback.
Kitchen wrapping is a specialist job and isn’t offered by a huge range of providers. Most kitchen wrappers will have significant experience. Some kitchen wrappers are the same businesses that wrap cars.
When you choose a wrapper, ask about the wraps they use. Reputable brands like 3M are always preferable and provide long warranties.
The wrapper will also likely include parts and labour warranties of at least 1-year.
Summary: Kitchen Wrapping Cost
The average cost of wrapping a kitchen is generally between £2,000 and £5,000. This is considerably lower than new doors and worktops, which usually cost over £7,000 to £10,000.
Kitchen wraps are a superb low-cost alternative to other kitchen renovations. By fitting kitchen wraps, you can totally transform your kitchen without the high cost of replacing cupboards, doors and worktops.
Kitchen wraps are available in practically any colour, style and finish you can think of, ranging from gorgeous metallic tones to marble and style wood effects. The cost of installing these sorts of premium finishes is much lower when wrapping.