Kitchen Cabinets: Refinishing or Buying New Ones
Of all of the areas in a house, the kitchen is the place that many people spend the most time and cash. That is why, even if you are planning to sell the home in the near future, the kitchen is a great place to do some updating that buyers will appreciate. The kitchen cabinets are a key part of the kitchen because they affect the overall look of the kitchen more than any other single item. If you are thinking about updating the cabinets, many homeowners wonder whether it is better to refinish the cabinets presently in the home, or buy a new set of cabinets. There are several different things to consider when making this choice.
Before you decide whether to purchase new cabinets or re-finish your own, there are several things to consider. Primarily, do you really have the time to complete the project if you do it on your own? Secondly, what is your budget for the project? Finally, what is the state of your existing cabinets? If the cabinets are not in very good condition, then buying new ones may be your only option anyway. If you determined that your budget is limited, then re-facing your cabinets could be your best option, as long as the cabinets are are structurally sound.
How to Select New Kitchen Cabinets
Before you go out and buy new cabinets, here are some tips for picking new cabinets. To begin with, take some time to do some informal research. Browse through magazines, home improvement stores, and websites for updated cabinet styles. Looking at what is available will help you determine what exactly you want. Look at a variety of colors, sizes, styles and different materials before you decide what you definitely want. Think about what is going to be the most attractive in your kitchen.
The next item on your list is determining the size of your new cabinets. If you like the size of your current cabinets, then all you will have to do is measure them and give the numbers to the person where you purchase the cabinets. Sometimes you have the space put in larger cabinets. If this is what you are planing to do, you will have to determine exactly how much additional space you have. Some vendors will send someone out to take these measurements for you.
The final guideline is to be honest with yourself about your abilities as a do-it-yourself cabinet installer. It is perfectly fine if you are not able to demolish and install new cabinets on your own. If you are uncertain about completing the task, it is simple enough to call a local contractor to get the project done for you. Some home improvement stores even offer installation options.
How to Re-face Your Cabinets
It will take some time and effort, but refinishing your kitchen cabinets is a great way to remodel your kitchen on your own. Your kitchen will look newer, while you save money. There are several steps to the process. The first thing that you must do is to remove the hardware and doors from the cabinets that you presently have.
You can now remove whatever finish was on the original cabinets. Sand the cabinets by hand or by employing an orbital sander. The sanding will also smooth out any scratches that are on the surface of your cabinets. Use a wood filler on anything larger. After you have completed sanding, cleanse the surface with a wood surface cleaner. This will help you get rid of the dust on the cabinet’s surface.
Now you prepared for applying the stain and sealer on the cabinets. Some people utilize paint brushes for this step, while others use a soft cloth. Read the packaging on the product you pick very carefully, as different kinds of products must be applied differently and have varied drying times. Then, you reinstall the hardware and doors.
Take note, you can give your re-facing job an extra kick when you install new hardware or various shades of stain.
Related posts:
- Shopping Research- Buying Kitchen Cabinets
- RTA Kitchen Cabinets: Buying, Assembling, and Installing Your RTA Kitchen Cabinets
- Kitchen Cabinets Refacing:refinishing, Refacing, Replacing Bath Cabinet Fronts?
Tagged with: Cabinet Styles • Home Improvement Stores • Magazines
Filed under: Kitchen Photos
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