Kitchen material · K1

Kitchen Material

Substrate decided by the zone, not by the budget line.

Impact

Price impactNotable upliftSubstrate steps with the zone — a wet-kitchen ACP base is a notable uplift over board, and the right call every time.

Usage impactThe hardest-working room; the substrate decides whether the carcass outlasts the kitchen or swells in two years.

Visual impactCountertop and splashback carry the look; the substrate is invisible but decides longevity.

Price is a relative direction only — never a quotation. The real figure is confirmed by ALUMAX or a specialist at site measurement.

Collection specification

One approved build, component by component.

How ELS specifies a kitchen's materials, zone by zone. Substrate performance, emission grade and exposure are three independent axes — a P6 moisture rating is not an E-grade, and neither is waterproof. ALUMAX supplies the cabinetry, tops and glass; the flooring specialist supplies the floor to the ELS requirement.

Component	Route	ELS specification	Status
Dry-zone cabinetry	ALUMAX	FLYHOME by ZBOM P6, or a moisture-resistant board with quality edging — stable, cost-effective and takes any finish. Don't overspend on aluminium in a genuinely dry run.ALUMAX code confirmed on the finishes catalogue.	Primary
Semi-wet cabinetry	ALUMAX	Edge-sealed E0 board where splash is occasional; step up to ACP aluminium wherever water is likely. Never leave a raw board edge exposed to splash — that's where swelling starts.ALUMAX code confirmed on the finishes catalogue.	Conditional
Wet-kitchen base & sink run	ALUMAX	ACP or honeycomb aluminium — an aluminium core can't swell, warp or grow mould, so the carcass outlasts the kitchen. Never wood-based board here, even 'moisture-resistant' grade — MR is not waterproof.ALUMAX code confirmed on the finishes catalogue.	Primary
Countertop	ALUMAX	Quartz for dry and light use; sintered stone for heavy, wet or sun-exposed runs — it adds heat and UV stability. Keep porous or laminate tops out of a heavy wet kitchen.ALUMAX code confirmed on the finishes catalogue.	Supporting
Splashback	ALUMAX	Toughened glass or ACP behind the hob — seamless and wipe-clean, no grout line to hold grease.ALUMAX code confirmed on the finishes catalogue.Approved equivalent: A tiled splashback (tiling specialist) is an accepted equivalent — rectified, ≤3mm grout, a non-porous surface behind the heat.	Supporting
Emission grade	ALUMAX	E1 / E0 / ENF is a separate axis from moisture — it describes formaldehyde release (indoor air quality), not waterproofing. Pick the grade by budget and indoor air; it does not make board waterproof.ALUMAX code confirmed on the finishes catalogue.	Supporting
Kitchen flooring	Specialist trade	Porcelain or SPC, R10 minimum (R11 to the wet-kitchen zone), rectified, ≤3mm grout — non-slip where water and oil reach the floor.	Supporting
Hardware & handles	ALUMAX	Per the Metal & Hardware Standard — a Gola or an integrated edge pull decided by engineering, the finish decided by the style.ALUMAX code confirmed on the finishes catalogue.	Accent-only
Finishes to avoid	ALUMAX	Wood-based board (even MR grade) in a wet-kitchen base; porous or laminate tops in a heavy wet kitchen (they stain and edge-swell); raw non-MR board anywhere humidity can creep in.ALUMAX code confirmed on the finishes catalogue.	Not recommended

Primary: Suitable for large surfaces and main cabinetry.
Conditional: Approved only under the stated room, lighting or material condition.
Supporting: Suitable for secondary surfaces.
Accent-only: Use in limited areas only.
Not recommended: Available from ALUMAX but not approved for this ELS style.

ALUMAX: Quoted, supplied, installed and warranted by ALUMAX; ELS specifies the finish.
Specialist trade: Quoted, supplied, installed and warranted by the appointed specialist; ELS specifies the requirement and checks the installed result.

Approved equivalents

Where the original selection is unavailable or commercially unsuitable, an approved equivalent must match it on every axis above. The installer must never choose an equivalent on site — a substitution is subject to ELS design and specification review and client approval.

Colour and undertoneSheenTexturePerformanceMoisture suitabilityDimensionsMaintenanceWarrantyPrice band

ELS selects, specifies and coordinates materials to one approved design direction. Products supplied by ALUMAX are quoted, supplied and warranted by ALUMAX. Products and works supplied by specialist trades remain under the respective specialist's quotation and warranty. Any proposed substitution is subject to ELS design and specification review and client approval.

◆ marks the components that drive this collection's impact.

Imagery

Kitchen Material — concept study — Reference — an ELS room in this direction (concept study).

Concept studies, not photographs of completed projects.

Renders to attach

What to publish from the library, and what to commission new.

Publish existingReuse KIT showcase room scenes for the hero; grade & publish APP-HOB / APP-HOD context from the gated APP set.
Commission newA substrate cutaway — P6 vs ACP vs honeycomb aluminium at the wet/dry boundary — the invisible decision made visible.