What is an end panel?
A kitchen end panel is a panel that is fixed to the end of a run of kitchen cabinets that finishes the look of the kitchen properly.
Where do you fix the end panel?
An end panel it fitted to any exposed side of the kitchen units. They serve a number of purposes. The primary use of a kitchen end panel is to finish the exposed units so they match the rest of the kitchen, in particular it is used to match up the end with the kitchen doors.
What is the end panel made from?
The end panel is normally finished with the same colour and style as the kitchen doors, they are often made out of the same material as the kitchen doors.
Where are they fitted?
You fit an end panel to any exposed kitchen cabinet. This normally means fitting them to the end of any exposed wall units, base units and tall units, such as larder units and appliance housing. You would usually also use it to finish exposed units between the tall units and base units.
How do you fit the end panel?
You normally cut the end panel down to fit the unit it is being fixed to, as they are deliberately oversized. People choose a number of different positions for the end panel when aligning with the doors. Some people like the end panels to fit flush with the doors while others prefer to add a slight edge so that the end panel sits flush with the worktops, which sit protruding further out than the kitchen cabinets.
You can also use the end panels to square off any anomalies between the floor, the back wall and the front of the units. You can now, if required, finish the edge between the end panels and walls and the floor with caulk.
How do you edge the end panel on the wall units?
There are a number of ways to edge the wall end panels. You can either bring the edge of the panel to be flush with the doors, or bring it out slightly further, so that the doors are slightly set back.
When finishing the top and bottom of the end panel you have a number of options. The options chosen typically depend on a number of things.
Kitchen Style
The style of your kitchen can have a huge influence on the way you finish the end panels, and indeed the top on bottom of your wall units.
Modern kitchens
Modern kitchen units often either have plain light pelmet and cornices, often a square multi purpose rail. Often, if you are using thin LED lighting (or no lights) under your cabinets you can get away with a bottom rail or light pelmet. This is especially relevant when you use J profile doors, where the handle at the bottom of the wall unit, requires easy access, so is more practical to use without a light pelmet.
If this is the case one of the most favoured ways of fitting the end panel to fit the end panel flush with the bottom of the wall units, or if you are using a light pelmet or rail, run the rail up against the end panel, with the the panel sitting slightly lower than the rail/pelmet.
Traditional kitchens
In a traditional kitchen it is popular to use both light pelmets and cornice, often more decorative cornices as it is in keeping with the general design of traditional kitchens. When fitting the end panel it is possible to fit the end panel shorter, with the cornice and pelmet turning at a 90 degree angle from the front of the wall units, and running to the wall. As illustrated with the tongue and groove end panel in the picture at the top of the page.
Do you need to use an end panel?
You don't have to, but we would highly recommend it. It finishes the edge of the kitchen cabinets properly. Even with kitchen cabinets that have matching cabinets and doors they are often not identical finishes, just matching colours. It also gives you an opportunity to edge up against any other appliances, such as washing machines.
Is there any time when you don't need an end panel?
You don't need an end panel when you are using a curved unit, whether it is a wall unit or base unit. In this case the unit will curve around to the end of the wall, or in the case of the base end panel will come with either a small door or a small door.
How do you choose your end panels?
Simple choose the kitchen door style you are looking for, and you will find a set of end panels within the accessories section of each range.
Do I Need an End Panel Against a Wall?
No, you do not need an end panel against a wall, however they can be useful to use as spacers, or sometimes to create a clean finish to the end of a run of cabinets, so again, it is down to personal preference whether you fit one in this circumstance.
Please bear in mind, if any of the kitchen cabinet is exposed and the cabinet doesn't match the door colour you will need an end panel that matches the door. Also, don't forget to leave space for the end panel when measuring/designing your kitchen.
Do I need end panels between appliances?
No, you do not need an end panel if you are putting an integrated appliance next to two base units. Without the end panels the run of base units, with the integrated appliance, will look like one complete run of units, therefore you won't be able to tell the different between the appliance and any other unit, which is of course the design you are looking to achieve.
You may want to put end panels either side of non-integrated appliances, such as washing machines and stand-alone dishwashers, as it will give a cleaner look to the kitchens.
Can you have 2 integrated appliances next to each other?
Yes, you can put two integrated appliances next to each other. Once fitted with doors it should give the impression of a complete run of cabinets, with the appliances being hidden behind the matching integrated appliance doors.
Should kitchen end panels touch the floor?
It is entirely up to you whether the end panel touches the floor. There are two options available. You can either run the end panel to the floor, and then fit the plinth butting to the end panel. The alternative is to finish the end panel at the bottom of the cabinet (720mm high). If you fit it this way, you then need to run the plinth along the front of the legs, and then it will need to be fitted at a 90 degree angle running back to the back wall.
The same applies to the kitchen island, where you can either have breakfast panels on the side of the kitchen island, or you can have the breakfast bar end panel at the same height as the cabinet.
What is the meaning of a base decor end panel?
A base decor end panel is a different name for a base unit end panel. The decor simply refers to the fact that the end panel is decorative, matching the colour of the doors. A base end panel is any panel fitted to a base unit, usually used to hide the legs and hide the cabinet colour.
