IKEA Kitchen Warranty: What's Covered, What's Not, and How to Claim

IKEA Kitchen Warranty: What's Covered and How to Claim

One of the strongest selling points of an IKEA kitchen is the 25-year limited warranty on their cabinet system. It's one of the longest warranties in the kitchen industry, outlasting most custom cabinet warranties by a wide margin. But what exactly does it cover? And what's excluded? This guide answers all your questions.

The 25-Year Limited Warranty Overview

IKEA's kitchen warranty covers the SEKTION cabinet system for 25 years from the date of purchase. The warranty applies to:

• Cabinet frames (boxes)
• Doors and drawer fronts
• Hinges (UTRUSTA)
• Drawer slides (MAXIMERA)
• Legs and feet
• Cover panels
• Internal fittings sold as part of the kitchen system

The warranty covers defects in material and workmanship under normal household use.

What's Covered

#### Manufacturing Defects

• Warped or bowed doors and panels that arrived defective
• Melamine coating peeling or bubbling without external cause
• Hardware failure (hinges breaking, drawer slides malfunctioning) under normal use
• Cabinet box structural failure under normal loading conditions
• Color fading that deviates from the product specification

#### Specific Examples of Covered Claims

• A hinge that stops working after 3 years of normal use
• A cabinet box that develops a crack along a joint without being overloaded
• A drawer slide that loses its soft-close function
• A door front that delaminates without exposure to excessive moisture

What's NOT Covered

Understanding the exclusions is just as important:

#### Excluded from Warranty

• Normal wear and tear - Surface scratches, minor dents, and gradual fading from years of use
• Water damage - Swelling or deterioration from water exposure (leaky pipes, spills left unattended, humidity damage)
• Improper installation - Damage caused by incorrect assembly or installation
• Modifications - Any alterations or custom cuts made to the products
• Commercial use - The warranty covers residential use only
• Countertops - IKEA countertops (EKBACKEN, SALJAN, KARLBY) have a separate, shorter warranty (typically 1 year for laminate)
• Appliances - IKEA appliances have their own warranties (typically 5 years)
• Accessories - Some accessories like shelf pegs, bumpers, and similar small items
• Products bought second-hand - Warranty is for the original purchaser only

#### The Installation Catch

Here's an important detail: improper installation can void your warranty. If IKEA determines that damage was caused by incorrect assembly or mounting (for example, wall cabinets that fell because they weren't properly secured to studs), the warranty claim will be denied.

This is one of the strongest arguments for professional installation. A professional installer ensures that every cabinet is assembled and mounted correctly, preserving your warranty coverage. Learn more about the DIY vs professional installation decision.

How to File a Warranty Claim

If you need to make a warranty claim, here's the process:

#### Step 1: Gather Documentation

• Proof of purchase - Your IKEA receipt or order confirmation. IKEA can also look up purchases made with your loyalty card.
• Photos of the defect - Clear, detailed photos showing the issue
• Description of the problem - When you noticed it, how the product was used, and what the defect looks like

#### Step 2: Contact IKEA

• In-store: Visit the Returns and Exchanges desk at your local IKEA
• Phone: Call IKEA customer service at 1-888-888-4532
• Online: Submit through IKEA's website customer service portal

#### Step 3: Assessment

IKEA may request additional photos or, in some cases, send someone to inspect the issue. For straightforward defects (broken hinge, delaminating surface), the process is usually quick.

#### Step 4: Resolution

IKEA typically offers:

• Replacement parts - The most common resolution. IKEA will provide the same product or an equivalent.
• Full product replacement - For severe or irreparable defects
• IKEA will NOT cover the cost of labor to remove the defective item and install the replacement

What About Installation Labor?

This is the most common point of frustration with IKEA's warranty. The warranty covers parts only, not labor. If a cabinet door delaminates after 5 years, IKEA will provide a replacement door, but the cost of having it professionally installed is on you.

For simple replacements (swapping a hinge or door front), this is a minor issue. For more complex situations (replacing a cabinet box that requires disassembling surrounding cabinets and countertops), the labor cost can be significant.

Tips to Protect Your Warranty

1. Keep your receipt - Store it digitally. Take a photo and save it in cloud storage. IKEA can look up purchases made with your IKEA Family card.

1. Use professional installation - This eliminates the risk of a warranty claim being denied due to improper installation. Our team provides documentation of our installation work.

1. Address water issues immediately - Water damage is the most common warranty exclusion. Fix leaky faucets and pipes promptly. Wipe up spills in and around cabinets. Ensure proper sealing around the sink.

1. Don't overload cabinets - IKEA specifies maximum load limits for shelves and drawers. Exceeding these limits can void the warranty.

1. Use products as intended - Toekick covers as toekick covers, shelf supports at marked positions, and so on.

1. Document your installation - If you DIY, take photos of your installation process showing proper mounting to studs, correct hardware use, and final setup. This can support a warranty claim later.

IKEA Warranty vs. Custom Cabinet Warranties

| Feature | IKEA (25-year) | Custom Cabinets (1-5 year typical) |

|---------|---------------|-----------------------------------|

| Duration | 25 years | 1-5 years |

| Coverage | Parts only | Varies (some include labor) |

| Replacement parts | Always available (standardized) | Depends on manufacturer existence |

| Transferable | No (original purchaser only) | Varies |

| Ease of claim | Straightforward | Depends on company |

The 25-year duration is a major advantage, as is the fact that IKEA's standardized system means replacement parts will always be available. Custom cabinet companies may go out of business, making warranty claims impossible.

Extending Your Protection

Beyond the IKEA warranty, consider:

• Homeowner's insurance - Your policy may cover kitchen damage from events like water leaks or fire
• Extended protection from your installer - Some professional installers offer workmanship guarantees that cover installation-related issues
• Regular maintenance - Tighten hardware annually, clean cabinet interiors, and adjust hinges as needed to prevent small issues from becoming big problems

We stand behind our installation work and offer our own workmanship guarantee in addition to the IKEA warranty. Our team serves homeowners across New York City and New Jersey. Contact us to learn more about our services and guarantees.