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They say that beauty is only skin deep but when it comes to cabinetry, looks do matter – a lot.
They say that the oven is the heart of the kitchen but the cabinet is its soul. Having bad cabinet drawers or boxes can mean the downfall of your kitchen. There will be times when you are going to have to make the hard decision of putting work in your kitchen’s overall look and feel, as well as its functionality.
The best-case scenario is you just need to splash your cabinet boxes with a new layer of paint, but it can get complicated very fast.
If you think you need to up your cabinetry game with a fresh new look, here are some options available for you.
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Refacing the Cabinet Boxes
Refacing a cabinet box could include the installation of new doors or drawers and the replacement or application of veneers. If you are tight on budget or lacking time, this is probably the better option for you.
The expenses you will accrue should you decide to reface your cabinet boxes depends on many factors. The main expense should come from the cost of buying the new cabinet door, cabinet drawers and the types of veneers you wish to install.
Knowing your budget constraint will affect the type of veneer you ultimately apply. The most popular one is the veneer made from plastic laminate which could cost upwards of $4000 while wood veneers, which are also common, could cost up to $6000.
In choosing the doors and drawers you wish to install, you have to keep in mind the amount of time and/or labour it would need. If you decide to hire help, your budget should include the fee you would have to pay. As part of the refacing, some knobs or handles may also need replacement. This should cost comparatively less than the other expenses you need to take account for.
Simple refacing on a medium-sized kitchen can take only a day or two. But if the cabinets need a more delicate touch and demand more work, the refacing can take up to 5 days. The clean up should also be kept in mind.
You can choose to hire cleaning services as carpentry work often leaves a mess that is hard to clean on your own. If you do decide to do it by yourself though, you have to make sure that you give yourself enough time as it could take a while and not seeing it through could leave more problems in the future.
All in all, the total cost of refacing your cabinet boxes should be at about $6500.
Consider Using RTA Cabinets
If your cabinets are beyond repair and remodeling them is not going to be your best solution, consider using Ready to assemble (RTA) cabinets.
With some efforts, you can end up with brand new cabinets for the same, or even less than refacing! The benefit of going this route is that everything is new. The plywood, the dovetail drawers, and even the soft-close hardware.
There are some great RTA cabinets available online that are very affordable. If you choose to go that route, Walcraft Cabinetry is a supplier that has a great reputation and quality products.
Refinishing the Cabinet Boxes
Refinishing the cabinets is another route you could opt to take to redo your kitchen feel. This is also an inexpensive option as you will not be obligated to buy complete replacement sets. The steps in refinishing your cabinets are as follows:
Old paints and other stains should be removed
You can do this by scraping the paint or by applying a strong acid to melt the hardened paint. Scraping is simpler, quicker and is cheaper to do but also has its drawbacks. Scraping can leave a few unsightly bumps that would defeat the purpose of remodelling your kitchen in the first place.
Using a strong acid can leave a cleaner surface afterwards but is more expensive and a bit hazardous. Make sure you have the proper equipment so you do not directly contact the acid and inhale in the fumes. It is also worth noting that excessive application of acid can damage the wood underneath so be careful.
Sand the surface and repair any deformities
This is a crucial step to ensure a clean finish after applying the new paint. It is a good idea to look out for possible deformities that could have been done due to missed scraped paint. This part of the process is important as well in clearing the joints which you could not get into yet whilst scraping the main surface.
Finally, apply the paint and/or any other finishing surface
The bare wood, if sanded properly should be simple to paint when done carefully. You should first paint the wide surfaces and then paint the creases near the joints. You may also apply stain varnishes instead.
The costs in refinishing your cabinet boxes vary depending mainly on the paint, varnish and/or stain you use. If you own a relatively large kitchen, the costs could ramp up to $3000. A medium-sized kitchen meanwhile could cost up to $2000.
Repainting Over the Old Paint
The most affordable option is to repaint your cabinet boxes. If you have a clean cabinet surface, meaning having no paint and just varnish or something similar, this could be the best option for you.
Often times, when choosing this option, homeowners decide to hire professionals to do the job for them. This often offsets the savings that can be obtained when doing it by yourself. Although, hiring help may not be a terrible idea if you do not feel confident about your own painting skills.
It is of vital importance to ensure that no removable hinge, knob, door or drawer is left on the cabinet box before painting. This is a rookie mistake that happens to way too many homeowners.
Other damages done on the cabinet boxes’ basic material should also be taken off first before proceeding to paint the surface. It is a good idea to keep the layer of paint as thin as possible. This means that you have to avoid trying to hide blemishes by painting over them.
The order of painting is important. First and foremost, you have to paint the frames first and only after then can you paint the doors and drawers. The total cost of repainting your cabinet boxes can cost upwards of $1000. This can lower significantly though should you decide to do the painting by yourself.
