Planning Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
Erica Bosworth
When homeowners decide to update the look of the home, many
start in the kitchen. New kitchen cabinets are a major expense and can
easily soak up your budget. Kitchen cabinet refacing is an
affordable alternative to remodeling the entire kitchen. Home
improvements are expensive, so why spend more than is
necessary? If the frames of your cabinetry are in good shape,
refacing is a viable solution.
Cabinet refacing saves time as well as money. The project can be
completed in less than half the time needed to completely
remove and replace all your cabinets. You won’t have to live
with a torn up kitchen for long. In most cases, the job can be
completed in a week or less. Homeowners with carpentry skills
can do the job themselves, but professional installation is
recommended for everyone else.
Perfect Planning
When you are having cabinets replaced, it’s a good time to make
changes to your kitchen. Create an overall design for the room.
Consider elements you have wanted to add to your kitchen. This
is the perfect time to remove a cabinet and add a dishwasher.
Kitchen islands are often added as part of a refacing project.
Your new island can be ordered to match your cabinets.
Consider adding some decorative elements to the room, such as
fancy trim or wood valances. For a total room makeover,
painting and furniture refinishing projects can be done at the
same time. To avoid paint splatters on your new cabinets,
complete all painting before beginning your refacing project.
This is a good time to replace appliances in the kitchen. If
you’ve always wanted a built in microwave, it can easily be
installed during the improvement process. Countertops are often
replaced when cabinets are refaced. Choose counters and
appliances to match the look of the room you are trying to
create. If you need a new sink, now is the time to have it
installed.
Kitchen Cabinet Refacing: The Process
The most important step in the process is to choose a reputable
company for the job. Ask for references and contact the people.
Check to be sure the company has the necessary licenses and
insurance for the work they will be doing.
Most companies offer free estimates. A designer will visit your
home and measure the kitchen. You will be shown choices for
cabinet doors and drawers. The designer will ask questions to
determine what you want and make recommendations. A variety of
materials and colors is available to match your home and give
you the look you want.
Once you have agreed to the estimate, the company will order
the doors and drawers for your kitchen. When the materials
arrive, installation can be done in a few days. Your life isn’t
disrupted for nearly as long as a complete removal of existing
cabinets.
The doors and drawers are removed from the frames. The sides
and parts of the frame that are visible around the doors will
be refaced using the same materials as the new doors. At this
point, the frames are checked to be sure they are level and any
worn parts are replaced. For example, the glides on that drawer
that sticks will be replaced with new glides.
The new doors and drawer fronts are installed. New hinges will
be placed on all cabinet doors. You can choose new hardware,
door and drawer handles. This gives the room a custom and
finished look. You may decide to match the hardware to the
finish of sinks or faucets.
Materials Used in Refacing Kitchen Cabinets
Most people like to match the new cabinets to existing home
furnishings. Three basic materials are used in refacing: wood,
veneers and laminates. Wood, especially custom grades, is the
most expensive. If the cost is prohibitive, you will find
laminates on the market that have the look of expensive wood at
a much lower price.
If you hate your kitchen set, you may choose something
different and replace the table. This can be done at the time
of the remodel, or at a later time. Just decide what you will
eventually want to be sure your new cabinets will work with the
décor of your house, now and in the future. If you like to
change your décor frequently, consider a neutral tone for
cabinets that will work well with several furniture styles and
colors.
The most common materials used in refacing include, Custom
wood, Furniture grade wood, like maple or oak, Veneers and
Laminates.
About The Author: Erica Bosworth publishes frequently for
http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com a web site with design
tips. Erica focuses on kitchen refacing (
http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com/kitchen-cabinet-refacing.html
) and kitchen remodeling.
Search our site for any Home, Lawn or Garden Info
Back to Index of All Info About Kitchens
& Bathrooms
