Kitchen Cabinets - Reface or Replace?
by SuperKitchens.com
Description: Tips for deciding whether or not to replace or reface your kitchen cabinets.
Sponsored links:
Homeowners sometimes ask themselves if they really need to
replace the cabinets. Why not just "reface" them ? To decide if
your kitchen remodel warrants replacing cabinets or you should
consider refacing instead, take this brief quiz:
1. What is the MAIN reason you are considering remodeling?
A. Just want a fresh new look
B. Need more counterotop work space.
C. Need more storage or to add an 'eat in space'
D. Need new appliances, sink of floor covering
E. Cabinet drawers stick or otherwise don't work or other
cabinet problems
2. Is the value of your home rising?
A. No
B. Yes
3. Have others in your neighborhood remodeled the kitchen in
the past 5 years?
4. How long do you plan to stay in your home?
A. One year or less before we sell
B. Plan to stay 3-5 years before we sell
C. Plan to stay in this home indefinitely
If your answer to more than one of these questions is "A",
refacing might be the right choice. "Refacing" is a general
term for a process of replacing doors and drawer fronts and
includes placement of a veneer to match the new wood species
and finish on the cabinet frames. (Some refacers also offer
optional replacement of the entire drawer and drawer glide
system and adding other interior functional features.)
Positive Results You May Obtain by Refacing Your Cabinets
* Costs less than cabinet replacement
* Fresh, new look for your cabinets
* More pleasant or up-to-date environment
* Possibly interior functional features for extra cost
* More appealing to potential home buyers
Refacing Cautions
* Same old traffic, workspace and storage problems have not
been improved upon.
* Future decision to do the complete job and make floor plan
improvements would mean replacing the countertop and sink a
second time. The same for floor coverings and wallpaper.
* No opportunity to enhance the kitchen with specialty cabinets
like dish or wine rack, etc.
* Interior of cabinet remains the same; so does interior
maintenance.
* Warranty is for new products only. Basic cabinets are not
covered.
Positive Results You Can Expect by Replacing Your Cabinets
* The opportunity to improve the traffic, work patterns and
storage space in your floorplan.
* One time sink and countertop replacement. (If a few years
after refacing you decide to tackle the entire kitchen and make
general improvements, countertops and sink cannot be
re-installed on new cabinets.
* Stronger, more durable cabinets throughout.
* Solid wood face frames, not veneer applied to the surface.
* The possibility of enhancing the beauty of the kitchen by
adding specialty cabinets such as a wine rack or display
cabinet.
* Light, attractive easy to clean interiors.
* Warranty on the entire cabinet, not just the doors and
drawers.
Best Advice
The price difference between refacing and replacing may be
minimal when the overall value is considered. Replacing
cabinets does dictate the replacement of countertops, sink,
built-in appliances and probably floor covering. The additional
cost for completely new cabinets compared to refaced old
cabinets may be quite small. In some instances, the difference
is as little as 10%. Be a wise shopper!
SuperKitchens offers practical, time-tested
kitchen remodeling ideas that guide you in kitchen design. For
more kitchen design tips visit http://www.superkitchens.com.
Related articles:
Budget Kitchen Makeover Ideas
Country Home Accessories
5 Best Budget Kitchen Decorating Ideas
