Refacing Kitchen Cabinets
by Jonah
Kitchen cabinets tend to get dirty quickly because they have to bear the brunt of heat, liquids, food residue and other things that are associated with working in this room. When these things finally take their toll, and you find your kitchen cabinets looking ugly, messy and worn. You may decide to go for new kitchen cabinets altogether, however, the cost of refacing kitchen cabinets is much lower than replacing them.
If the basic structure of your cabinets is still solid, kitchen cabinet refacing cost is lower than replacing your full cabinets in a few different ways. Not only will the actual dollar cost of refacing kitchen cabinets be much lower than the cost of replacing them, it also has a lower environmental cost. Instead of replacing the full structure you only need to replace part of it as you are able to reuse the core structure. This means you will have less to dispose of after your kitchen remodel as well.
What Does Refacing Kitchen Cabinets Involve
Refacing kitchen cabinets often involves replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with the new ones as well as changing the kitchen cabinet hardware, for example the cabinet knobs and hinges. You may also need to sand and re-stain the cabinet frame as well. Since doors are the most visible part of cabinets you need to replace them with the right material, a material that is durable and can withstand the wear and tear often endured in this highly used room, but also something that will be easy to clean.
Refacing cabinets starts with a thorough cleaning of the doors and the drawers or you may want to simply replace the cabinet doors and drawer fronts instead. If you want to remove the current finish, do so and then use sandpaper to remove every trace of residue. Remove the door, strip off the old paint or stain and clean the surface of the cabinet well. Clean the drawers and inside areas; make sure you remove all the dust particles because if any dirt or particles remain, it will be harder to get a really nice finish when you start re-staining or painting. If you are painting it is best to use spray painting to give the most uniform finish.
Refaced Kitchen Cabinets
Apart from working on or buying new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, you may want to take this time to buy new cabinet knobs and hinges. When buying kitchen cabinet knobs you need to consider the style of your home and what look you are trying to achieve. There are a wide variety of knobs including metals like pewter, brushed nickel, gold or you may choose wooden knobs that can be painted to match your kitchen cabinets. You can easily find kitchen cabinet knobs to fit any style from traditional to country or contemporary.
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Materials Used For Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
When refacing kitchen cabinets, you can make use of three basic materials: wood veneer, rigid thermo foils and plastic laminates. Wood veneer is the most authentic looking of all cabinet refacing materials. Though it is the most expensive out of all the three materials, it is durable, adds aesthetic appeal to the kitchen and provides warmth to the overall décor. You can make use of maple, birch or oak wood for material for refacing kitchen cabinets.
Rigid thermo foils are used in contemporary cabinet refacing and remodeling. It is made of fiber material with a molded vinyl foil on top. Since rigid thermo foils are flexible they can be molded into a variety of styles. Resurfacing kitchen cabinets with this material costs more than plastic laminates but is not as expensive as wood veneer resurfacing.
Plastic laminates are the least expensive option. This option isn’t as durable but nevertheless it has a decorative and appealing look, and it may still be a big improvement for your kitchen.
Hiring A Cabinet Refacing Contractor
Since working with chemicals can be dangerous, it may be better to leave the job to an expert handyman or a contract worker who can provide a professional look to your kitchen cabinet refacing project. If you want to reface kitchen cabinets yourself make sure you follow the instructions of the chemical manufacturer. Apart from the risk of working with chemicals you might not be able to perform the full task of refacing kitchen cabinets as well as someone more experienced.
If you have decided to hire a contractor you will want to find a cabinet refacing contractor who can provide the results you want. You can find a good contractor either through the referrals from your friends, family or co-workers or you can do your own research on the internet to find local refacing contractors online in your area. You should get quotes from at least three contractors before you make a decision. You may also want to check with a third party organization like the Better Business Bureau before making your final decision.
Once you find a reliable contractor to whom you can entrust the job of refacing cabinets, you can draw up a contractual agreement for home improvement. The work contract should contain information like the contractor’s name, license number, signature and contact details, detailed information of the kitchen cabinet refacing work, start and end dates of the job. It should also contain details including a statement that any change in plans may need your approval, it should list payment details like advance payments, monthly payments, total costs and an agreement that the contractor will not violate the rules of your building.
All in all, refacing kitchen cabinets can be a great decision that can save you a lot of time and money. With the right kind of material and finishing, your kitchen is bound to look as good as new.
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