Kitchen Cabinets - Reface Or
Replace?
By SuperKitchens.com
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
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