Steel/Chrome kitchen sockets and switches

[JuniorD]

A long shot this one but have decided that I want to install some flat panel stainless steel or chrome type kitchen sockets, going for a range called Deco ( http://www.scolmore.com/electrical/deco.aspx ). Trouble is, they come in various finishes and are sure to look different in the flesh than they do on PC screen. The only supplier I can find in N.Ireland dosen't have samples so I can't get to see them.

Has anyone got these at installed home and have any thoughts on what finishes work well?

[pmanson]

I'm sure Homebase do this range....

[ACEparts_com]

Number 1 thing that pisses me off while looking at home renovation stuff is that nobody quotes any prices, not even approx guide prices. It's all so secret. Rant over

[pmanson]

Also bear in mind that you'll need quite a deep backbox to fit all the gubbins in.

We brought one the other day as it was on offer and had to take it back due it not sitting flush with the wall.

IIRC the fitting on the back was about 25mm

[Goochie]

JuniorD said:

A long shot this one but have decided that I want to install some flat panel stainless steel or chrome type kitchen sockets, going for a range called Deco ( http://www.scolmore.com/electrical/deco.aspx ). Trouble is, they come in various finishes and are sure to look different in the flesh than they do on PC screen. The only supplier I can find in N.Ireland dosen't have samples so I can't get to see them.

Has anyone got these at installed home and have any thoughts on what finishes work well?

I think all of the Scolmore products look great

Where in Northern Ireland are you? I can probably find a closer wholesaler (we have 19 customers listed in Belfast alone)

What finishes were you interested in? I could send you a better photo and/or sample if you wish.

pmanson said:

I'm sure Homebase do this range....

No they dont

pmanson said:

Also bear in mind that you'll need quite a deep backbox to fit all the gubbins in.

We brought one the other day as it was on offer and had to take it back due it not sitting flush with the wall.

IIRC the fitting on the back was about 25mm

All but the 45A Cooker switches and 630/1000W dimmers in the Deco range will fit a 25mm back box. It can be a little tight on a double socket if you have a ring main and spur in the box but it is possible.

Edited by Goochie on Monday 7th September 16:20

[darreni]

Try TLC direct.
You will need to order the catalogue, but their chelsea range (proper flat plate) is excellent.

Avaliable in a huge number of finishes too.

As mentioned you will need deeper backboxes. My house had all 16mm deep boxes for all of the light switches, & had to be replaced with 35 & 45mm boxes. Not great if you have concrete block walls & 20+ boxes to fit!

[pmanson]

Goochie said:

JuniorD said:

A long shot this one but have decided that I want to install some flat panel stainless steel or chrome type kitchen sockets, going for a range called Deco ( http://www.scolmore.com/electrical/deco.aspx ). Trouble is, they come in various finishes and are sure to look different in the flesh than they do on PC screen. The only supplier I can find in N.Ireland dosen't have samples so I can't get to see them.

Has anyone got these at installed home and have any thoughts on what finishes work well?

I think all of the Scolmore products look great

Where in Northern Ireland are you? I can probably find a closer wholesaler (we have 19 customers listed in Belfast alone)

What finishes were you interested in? I could send you a better photo and/or sample if you wish.

pmanson said:

I'm sure Homebase do this range....

No they dont

pmanson said:

Also bear in mind that you'll need quite a deep backbox to fit all the gubbins in.

We brought one the other day as it was on offer and had to take it back due it not sitting flush with the wall.

IIRC the fitting on the back was about 25mm

All but the 45A Cooker switches and 630/1000W dimmers in the Deco range will fit a 25mm back box. It can be a little tight on a double socket if you have a ring main and spur in the box but it is possible.

Edited by Goochie on Monday 7th September 16:20

Must have been something similar then! Interesting to know about the Deco range as I need to do our bedroom next year and will want to fit another remote dimmer

[Goochie]

darreni said:

Try TLC direct.
You will need to order the catalogue, but their chelsea range (proper flat plate) is excellent.

Avaliable in a huge number of finishes too.

As mentioned you will need deeper backboxes. My house had all 16mm deep boxes for all of the light switches, & had to be replaced with 35 & 45mm boxes. Not great if you have concrete block walls & 20+ boxes to fit!

Good point.

The Deco range sticks out in the same way as a traditional plastic socket/switch. This has the advantage of being usable with most existing back boxes.

The Define range from the same supplier is true flat plate but requires a depper box. The Define range is (unlike some) manufactured in 1.4mm stainless steel so feels and looks quite sturdy.

[bdx]

If your near Belfast try Fairley & Smyth electrical wholesalers at Duncrue Industrial Estate.

Yellow pages is your friend regards sourcing sockets via electrical wholesalers.

[JuniorD]

Excellent stuff chaps, much food for thought - I think all the back boxes are 25mm but I will take everything off tomorrow to check. Goochie, thanks for the offer of photo/sample, very kind of you however wouldn't want to to put you to too much trouble. If one of the 19 suppliers in Belfast you know or can recommend carries a good range I'll just go there. BDX I'll give the place you mentioned a bell tomorrow too. Thanks guys.

Edited by JuniorD on Monday 7th September 23:44

[Goochie]

Try:

H RITCHIES & SONS (EW) LTD
Musgrave Park Industrial Park
Stockmans Way
Belfast
BT9 7ET

02890 381515

Or, as already suggested:

FAIRLEY & SMYTH ELEC.WHOLESALERS
Unit 7 Duncrue Cresent
Duncrue Industrial Estate
Belfast
BT3 9BW

02890 775 888

Edited by Goochie on Tuesday 8th September 08:45

[JuniorD]

Thanks Goochie, much appreciated.

[acquiescence]

Goochie - I assume you are a representative of the company. The products appear of high quality but are something that needs to be seen physically before handing over cash. Why is there no list of suppliers on the website ?

[Goochie]

acquiescence said:

Goochie - I assume you are a representative of the company. The products appear of high quality but are something that needs to be seen physically before handing over cash. Why is there no list of suppliers on the website ?

I run the technical/product design department.

The website isnt the best and is currently being re-worked significantly. Among the things that will be added is a "find my nearest stockist" feature.

We only sell through trade wholesalers but many of these will have display boards at their trade counter with the products on-show. "Premiere Stockists" will hold a large amount of product in stock so if you want to get your hands on something, give the girls in the sales office a call (01827 63454) and they can point you in the direction of a Premiere Stockist.

Failing that, if you let me know where you are I'll put some info on this thread.

(Note to moderators - I'm trying hard to not advertise things here! If you think I should be more impartial, please let me know)

[Tuna]

Has anyone got experience of the GET Connect screwless range? Flat plate and no screws, looks good to me?

http://www.getplc.com/connect/ultimate/screwless-f...

[Goochie]

Tuna said:

Has anyone got experience of the GET Connect screwless range? Flat plate and no screws, looks good to me?

http://www.getplc.com/connect/ultimate/screwless-f...

The GET products are pretty good, quite similar but more expensive than these http://www.clickdefinity.com/

OK I'll stop it now

Edited by Goochie on Tuesday 8th September 15:42

[LittleMiss]

Tuna said:

Has anyone got experience of the GET Connect screwless range? Flat plate and no screws, looks good to me?

http://www.getplc.com/connect/ultimate/screwless-f...

We have the GET remote control range, very pleased with them so far, much flatter than our previous ones.