Say NO to glossy bathroom units?

[Imloosingmyshit]

So they are sold as low/ no maintenance bathrooms. Everything lovely and glossy and clean. But they all split!! Water and steam and condensation cause the units to split. I dry off the shower, the walls, the units EVERY DAY AFTER I SHOWER. they came out to fix something and said “don’t get it wet” REALLY! In a bathroom?? Why are they sold as bathroom units then??

Thank you for the warning! I am planning a new bathroom at the moment and might well have fallen to that.

Sounds like your extractor fan is not doing a good job!

Just having a new bathroom done and the installer and the plumbing supplier both said don't use "wood" units that sit on the floor and you get what you pay for.

that said, decent extraction is essential to avoid mould etc.

Well I paid a LOT for this bathroom! I have an extractor, and always have the window open. Taken for a mug!!

Thank you for the warning.

I have glossy units in my bathroom and they haven't split! They've been in a few years now. I think mine are actually kitchen units.

It’s not the glossiness that is the issue. It is either extraction/ventilation or the construction of the units.

I had a new bathroom fitted last year with glossy units, there is 6 of us shower daily and never once have I had to dry the walls or units after using the shower, the only thing we use is a karcher vac for the glass doors.

I think you have an extractor problem or the units are extremely bad quality.

100% in agreement.
Weve got glossy kitchen cupboards. Kettle/toaster and hob all create heat/ steam which has ruined the cupboards. I can only imagine what it would be like in a bathroom.

We had a few of ours replaced by the supplier when we complained.

Apparently the glossy coating is stuck on with water based glue, which comes unstuck with contact to steam.

Oof OP. That sounds like a nightmare. If you an afford it then pull them out.

@Imloosingmyshit

Well I paid a LOT for this bathroom! I have an extractor, and always have the window open. Taken for a mug!!

Having the window open and using the fan is like aircon with the window open. It's one or the other - both is self-defeating.

Ours did the same! Very very annoying! Our extractor fan is pretty good, window open, but if course our bathroom does have steam, because we use it... and that’s what’s done the damage.
Units were from “proper” bathroom shop/ plumber supply, not online and not DIY shop. Ours are clearly just completely crap and not fit for purpose.
I’m sure some gloss / wrapped MDF cabinetry is fine, but ours was utterly rubbish.

I thought fan on when using bathroom /light, then window open otherwise was fine? Not both together at same time.

Yup. Also the sides of ours have turned yellow

I'm another one who has has glossy units - 15 years old now - without any problems.

What make are they OP?

It's got nothing to do with glossy. Glossy or matte, it's about the fact its laminate.

I have had IKEA gloss cabinets for years now and they are fine. They are wall-mounted and don't go down to the floor though.

Maybe something to do with them being on the floor... but surely if they (belatedly) said “don’t get them wet” , then they should have never been sold to fit like that?? Bathroom window always open when not in use. Brand new extractor fan because I complained. Not sure of make but done through a large reputable company, not DIY ( for a change!). Waited 16 years for a new bathroom as well. Oh well. Expensive lesson learned I guess. I make sure every wall and surface is dry, whether it needs it or not I clean it all down every day. A bit gutted to be honest!

I want to know what the make is so I know to avoid it.

Insane. Large reputable company shouldn't use them either.

Guess it's part of planned obsolescence.

@Affor

It's got nothing to do with glossy. Glossy or matte, it's about the fact its laminate.

My bathroom must be at least 20 years old....been here since I moved in...now trying to figure out if it's glossy!