Cabinet refinishing is an affordable option for homeowners who want to refresh their living space without a fortune. Cabinet refacing is usually the cheapest option since it makes very little use of your original cabinet structures, doors, and drawer fronts. The common approach is to refurbish your existing cabinets with brand new stain or paint. After curing, they’re reinstalling back onto the previously painted foundations. In some cases, all that’s needed is a fresh coat of primer, followed by the sanding and finishing. This can be a very effective solution, especially if you have cabinets made from solid wood such as cherry or oak.
Kitchen cabinets, too, can benefit from cabinet refacing. Although the kitchen countertops and appliances are rarely changed when a home is being remodeled, it’s still possible to bring them up to date with a fresh coat of paint. In particular, kitchen cabinets can suffer quite a bit of wear after several years of use, so refinishing them can be a good way to improve the look and functionality. If the countertops or appliances are in decent condition, then refacing them may also be an economical choice since it only costs about half the price of replacing them.
Refinishing bathroom cabinets can also be an ideal option if you’d rather not replace the whole unit. One reason is that there are very few wood materials suitable for bathroom cabinets, so they tend to show signs of wear much more easily than other cabinet surfaces. Another reason is that bathroom cabinet are frequently used, so they may already be in bad shape. Instead of spending money on new bathroom cabinets, a good solution is simply to re-stain bathroom cabinets. You can purchase re-staining kits at home supply stores. These kits come with everything you need to make a quality re-staining job, as well as detailed instructions for the process.
Another advantage to cabinet refinishing is that it’s often less expensive than replacing the units themselves. For example, cabinet refacing is often less expensive than replacing cabinet frames. Another advantage is that you don’t have to deal with complicated installation procedures. If you’re upgrading to a newer home, then cabinet refacing might be an easier route to take. On the other hand, if your current cabinets aren’t up to code, you’ll likely need to hire a professional to install the refacing.
Even though cabinet refacing is becoming more popular, it’s still fairly uncommon. Most homeowners will opt for changing their existing wood cabinets instead of replacing them since refacing tends to be more expensive than simply replacing the units. Nevertheless, some homeowners would like to go all out and buy new cabinets. There are three main types of cabinet refacing that you can choose from faux oak, solid wood, and pressed wood. Each has its own pros and cons, so the choice really comes down to what you’d prefer for your kitchen.
Faux oak is the least expensive option, but if you’re going for a lighter look, this is probably the best choice. It’s also relatively easy to do the job yourself, making it an ideal option for amateur cabinet refinishers. The downside is that this type of cabinet refinishing doesn’t offer a wide range of options, such as matching wood stain or upholstery. If you’re a real wood fan, however, then this option might work well for you. You should also note that if you’re doing a pressed wood cabinet refinishing, the doors won’t be able to be opened without removing the whole piece of wood, which could lead to your getting scratched up.
Solid wood cabinet doors are the most preferred among professionals, as they provide a more classy look and better protection against dents, but they’re a bit more on the expensive side. This style of cabinet refacing is also more difficult than faux oak, but the benefits you get in terms of style and protection far outweigh the added costs. Faux cabinets require very little work when fitted, making it the ideal option for someone who wants to save money while making their kitchen look better.
Pressed wood is a cheaper alternative to the faux cabinet door, but you should note that this style of cabinet refacing requires professional help, so you’ll need to prepare to pay for the job. If you’re not sure how to fit new doors on your own, then it’s best to hire a professional to do it for you. In any case, before starting your project, make sure that you have all the cabinet components such as doors, hinges, drawer fronts installed correctly. As cabinet doors are generally sold in groups according to their brand name and type, you should make sure you buy the right one for your cabinet.