Choosing Whether To Reface Or Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets

By Author: Jason Delmar
Total Articles: 335
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If you are sick of the cabinets in your kitchen you have a couple of options. Budget is always a major factor, but sometimes the condition of your existing cabinets will also be a factor. If they are still in good condition, refacing them may be a better option. Both options have pros and cons, so you need to consider which one will work for you. Here are some factors that you should consider before making your final decision.

There are really two different ways to reface your kitchen. The first would entail putting on all new doors and drawers, then adding a veneer to the frames. The second would be to strip the finish off the cabinets and restain or paint them. Depending on the size of the kitchen, the job is going to take 2-4 days to complete. While you can do this yourself, often having a skilled craftsman doing the job for you is a better option that will save on time. Professionals will start by removing the drawer and door fronts, preparing the side panels and face frames, and dealing with any nail holes that may be on them to make them look unobtrusive. Then new molding or panels are put on the exposed areas ...
... of the cabinets, new drawer fronts and doors are put up, and new hardware is then installed as well.

You have a couple of finish options available to you when you decide to reface your cabinets. You can go with plastic laminate, wood veneer, and rigid thermofoils, other wise known as RTF. The laminates provide many colors and wood looks, but they are fairly plain looking. The RTF options can be shaped in various styles and it looks beautiful to the eye. The wood veneers are the most common, and will have the most resale appeal.

Although refacing the kitchen cabinets can be a great option for some, it is not the best choice for every kitchen. Not all old kitchens are efficiently laid out, so ripping out the cabinets and starting over might be the way to go. If there are rust problems, issues with the structure of your cabinets, or they are in bad disrepair, then refacing is not an option for your own kitchen.

Refacing can often be a cost effective way to get a whole new look in your kitchen without having to purchase brand new cabinets. It is an excellent idea if you already love the way your cabinets are laid out. However, in some cases spending the extra money on replacing the cabinets with new ones is well worth it in the long run. Carefully weight the pros and cons of both options before you decide on the one that is right for you. Consider the prices, the kitchen layout, and the look you want. Then you can make a well informed decision for your own kitchen cabinets.
If you are looking for high quality, solid wood cabinets for your kitchen at an affordable price, you have to take a look at RTA cabinets. I have been remodeling kitchens for over 10 years, and they have helped me save thousands on each kitchen.