Refacing Is a Simple Way to Give Your Kitchen Cabinets a Fresh New Look

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Cabinet refacing makes it possible to preserve the existing kitchen intact while completely transforming its appearance. It’s an affordable, minimally invasive solution to solve organizational problems. You get to pick new doors and drawers to replace the one’s you’ve already got, whereas the cabinet boxes are covered with a veneer to match the new additions. Put simply, you can give your kitchen a dramatic new look. Doors and drawers are usually purchased new rather than refaced. Refacing tiny elements such as doors and drawer fronts is slightly complicated, not to mention that the veneer can fail over time, regardless of whether it’s well-applied. 

Why You Should Consider Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets Vs Replacing Them 

Refacing isn’t for every kitchen. If the cabinets aren’t worth saving, having them completely replaced makes sense from a financial standpoint as you save on maintenance costs. If you go to all the expense of refacing and still end up with a nonfunctional kitchen, you’ve wasted your money. Refacing can’t solve serious issues, such as water damage. It’s simply a visual enhancement. If the kitchen cabinets aren’t structurally sound, refacing is out of the question. They’re beyond help. Conditions such as metal cabinets that are rusting or cabinets that are beginning to fall apart exclude refacing. 

But what if your kitchen cabinets are in great shape, but you dislike the color? Well, if you can’t stand it anymore, refacing is the best option, especially if you don’t have the budget for a complete remodel. You get a brand-new look, with a different style and paint. Cabinet refacing can be done as part of a kitchen remodeling project. It can add value to your home, particularly if you have some pretty antiquated cabinets. The kitchen becomes more attractive and your time there is more enjoyable. Properties put back on the market have some kind of minor kitchen renovation. 

Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Is a Straightforward DIY Project 

You can reface the kitchen cabinets yourself if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. If it’s done correctly, refacing is a permanent solution, sophisticated in appearance. It’s a project that can’t be rushed. Finding replacement kitchen doors and drawers will take some research. If you pay close attention to detail, you can produce great results. Cabinet refacing is recommended for homeowners with experience in remodeling. While it’s a fairly simple solution, not everyone can do it themselves. You might need professional help. Have the pros handle the kitchen cabinet refacing project. They’ll take care of all the details from beginning to end. You’ll be responsible for the design decisions. 

Here’s The 7-Step Process for Refacing Kitchen Cabinets 

It’ll take two to four days, depending on the size of the kitchen and extra actions, such as replacing the counters. 

Before You Get Started, Make Sure You Have These Tools

  • Screwdriver
  • Drill & drill bits
  • Circular saw
  • File
  • Laminate slitter
  • Finishing nails
  • Scissors
  • Veneer edge trimmer

1.      Measure Your Kitchen Cabinets

To make sure you get the right size for the doors, drawers, and end panels, measure the cabinets. For this purpose, you’ll need measuring tape and a piece of paper to write down the information. Measure the cabinets for length, width, and depth. The information should be placed where it can be easily retrieved. It’s recommended to sketch a basic outline of the kitchen cabinets and write down the measurements.

2.      Order New Doors and Drawers

The options in terms of style, color, and design are almost limitless. Order new cabinet doors and drawers from a supplier. Many companies that operate online let you choose the size, not to mention the desired finish and wood species. You should get the doors/drawers and veneer from the same place so that the wood grains match perfectly. This way, you’ll obtain a professional finish. Ordering the replacements ahead of time keeps the project moving forward.

3.      Check The Cabinet Boxes for Damage or Dents

Remove the contents from the cabinets. More exactly. Do away with things like plates, bowls, and so on. Next, unscrew the doors and drawer fronts. You’ll also want to remove the pulls and handles. Inspect the boxes and make sure there’s no sign of damage. Perhaps the surfaces are scratched or dented. Many issues can occur because of low-quality cabinet construction. As long as the kitchen cabinets aren’t severely damaged, you can move ahead with the plan.

4.      Install The New End Panels

Apply carpenter’s glue onto the end panels and use nails to attach them to the exposed end of the cabinet bank, but only if you’re completely sure of the placement. You could use a door rather than plywood to finish the exposed end.

5.      Cover All Areas with Veneer

The insides of the cabinets aren’t typically veneered. Equally, the outer bottoms aren’t veneered; just the kitchen cabinet tops. You can begin with the vertical pieces and make your way to the horizontal pieces. Align the veneer and press it down to the surface delicately. You can eliminate the excess material with a sharp knife. It may be necessary to peel off the paper from the back of the veneer.

6.      Hang The Cabinet Doors and Add the Drawers

Reface the kitchen cabinets. In other words, install the new cabinet doors and drawers, making sure they’re evenly aligned. Handing cabinet doors and drawer fronts is something that anyone can do. However, make sure to drill the holes for the hinges accurately. Each door will take a couple of minutes to install and align.

7.      Attach Cabinet Hardware

Finally, yet importantly, install new hardware. Knobs and pulls complete the look. You can use a drill or a screwdriver in this respect. The location of the hardware isn’t written in stone, yet there are some standard practices. As a rule of thumb, line up the knob with the top of the bottom door rail. There’s not much room for error, so a little bit of planning is in order. Don’t feel pressured to get it right the first time. The outcome won’t be the most polished or perfect thing. A professional installation is an option you should consider.

 

 

Jeff Campbell
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