One of the most expensive elements of a kitchen remodel is the replacement of cabinets. This alone can use up a major portion of the remodeling budget. The homeowner may want to consider refacing the cabinets rather than replacing them. This can save the homeowner thousands of dollars, and in many cases, look better than installing all new cabinetry.
Cabinet refacing can add a whole new look to a kitchen without a major remodel. As opposed to the several months it can take to replace all the cabinetry, the process of refacing accomplishes this in just a few days. If you are happy overall with the current layout of your kitchen, there is not any reason to burden yourself with the substantial costs and time consuming task of installing all new cabinetry. You can keep your layout and still have beautiful new kitchen cabinets. This goal can be achieved at a fraction of the cost and time by refacing your current cabinets.
Refacing the cabinets is a relatively simple process. The boxes of your existing cabinets remain in place, but the cabinet and drawer fronts are removed. The existing boxes are then given a facelift where visible, usually with a nice veneer. The door and drawer fronts are then replaced with new material of the latest designs and fashion.
There are many options in materials and appearance for the homeowner to choose from for the refacing. A solid hardwood, such as oak, birch, or cherry is recommended for durability and longevity. Veneer refaces, though attractive initially, will not have the long lasting benefits of hardwood. It is recommended that such materials as particleboard or Rigid Thermal Foil (RTF) not be used for refacing, these materials are not long lasting, and prone to flaws after a time from the effects of heat and moisture. For a more finished look, consider replacing all the hardware as well. The entire process, depending upon the size of the kitchen, can be done in less than a week.
Once you have made the decision to have your kitchen cabinetry refaced, plan on schedule time for measuring and ordering the new fronts. Once the fronts have arrived, you can plan to have a new kitchen in just a few days. Refacing is an economical way to have a brand new kitchen at minimal cost as well as extra budget for new appliances or furniture.
