Kitchen renovations are one of the most popular types of home improvement projects today. If your budget and/or your time is limited but you would still like to give your kitchen an updated look, one of the best and least expensive ways to do that may be to reface your cabinets. This process involves adding new doors and possibly sprucing up the actual framework around the cabinet doors. In return you are able to benefit from an entirely new look at a cost that is far less than splurging on new cabinets.
Furthermore, refacing your cabinets is much less time intensive because you do not have to actually rip out the cabinets. In most instances, you can use matching wood as well as paint or laminate veneer to resurface the exposed framework of the cabinets. You can also buy new veneers to cover the existing doors.
The most visible part of a kitchen cabinet is the cabinet door. When replacing the old doors make sure you take into consideration the composition of the door as well as the style, such as recessed, raised, bead board, flat front, etc.
In regards to the door composition the most popular choice is wood. Some of the most common choices include hickory, pine, birch, maple, oak, cherry, poplar and alder. Other options include metal and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), but it is important to make sure that all of the fronts, doors and veneers either complement or match one another.
Replacing the hinges is also a good way to update your kitchen cabinets. There are two types of basic hinges; European and traditional. Traditional hinges are exposed while European hinges are concealed. The type of cabinet you have can play a role in the type of hinge that should be used. Framed cabinets commonly have concealed hinges.
You should also consider the various finish options. The three basic options for finishing cabinets include rigid thermofoil (RTF), laminate and wood. The least expensive option is RTF. The option looks like wood and is durable as well as easy to clean. Plastic laminate costs slightly more than RTF but is available in more color choices. A wood finish is another good option to consider. Modern wood finishes no longer even require regular waxing and the only maintenance that is needed is regular dusting. Wood is more expensive than the other two options but wood is known to be quite durable. You can also choose wood that is natural, stained, already painted or paint ready.
Finally, be sure to choose some new hardware to finish out the new look for your cabinets.
When refacing your kitchen cabinets make sure you take the time to repair any damage by filling and then sanding and sealing any holes that may be present before you install the new cabinet face. Also, be sure to measure and check to be certain the doors and cabinets are level and plumb. Plan to spend at least a week refacing your cabinets.
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Posted by: valarieSuggested Reading For You
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