Tips for Choosing between New Kitchen Cabinets and Re-facing Your Old Kitchen Cabinets
Of all of the rooms in a house, the kitchen is the place that many people spend the most time and cash to improve the value of their home. This 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 are not sure whether it is better to refinish the cabinets currently in the home, or go for a new set of cabinets. There are several points to consider when making this choice.
Before you decide whether to buy new cabinets or re-finish your own, there are several things to consider. First of all, do you actually 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 condition of your existing cabinets? If the cabinets are not in very good condition, then replacing them may be your only option anyway. If you answered that your budget is limited, then re-facing your cabinets could be your best option, as long as the cabinets are in good shape structurally.
Three Guidelines for Choosing New Kitchen Cabinets
If you choose to install new kitchen cabinets, three significant tips can help you head to your local home improvement store prepared.
1. Look through home improvement magazines and websites for pictures of updated kitchen cabinet styles. These sources will help you figure out what styles, sizes, colors and materials are most suited to your needs and your kitchen’s décor. You may even want to bring along paint samples to compare with the colors of the various cabinets at the store.
2. Know how much room you have available. If you are planing to install new cabinets of the same size and shape of your existing cabinets, you are in the clear. Simply tell the store assistant the current cabinets’ measurements. However, if you want to install different cabinets, you will need to let the assistant know how much space you have available. The store may even send someone to assist you in measuring your available cabinet space.
3. Acknowledge, and accept, your cabinet-installation abilities. DIY home improvement is a huge market, but not everyone can do demolition and installation. That’s OK! If you need someone to take out your old cabinets and install your new models, look into reputable renovators or find out what services your home improvement store offers.
Doing Your Cabinetry Re-Facing Yourself
Although it may sound complicated, re-facing your kitchen cabinets is not really that hard of an undertaking. It is a wonderful way to save money while giving your kitchen an updated look. There are loads of websites and magazines that will explain the process, but essentially to reface your cabinets you need to perform several steps. To begin, remove the hardware and doors from the cabinets that are existing.
After that, remove the finish from your kitchen cabinets. You can use varied grades of sandpaper or an orbital sander for this task. Sanding your cabinets also helps remove any scratches, and you can use a wood filler to repair any deep blemishes. Then, rub the exterior with a solution safe for wood. This eliminates the dust from sanding and ensures your cabinets are clean.
Now you are ready for putting the stain and sealer on the cabinets. Some people use paint brushes for this step, while others use a soft cloth. Read the packaging on the product you pick meticulously, as different kinds of products must be applied differently and have varied drying times. Next, you reinstall the handles, hinges and doors.
Remember, you can give your re-facing project an extra kick when you choose new hardware or various shades of stain.
You will find some awesome kitchens in Arrowhead Lakes homes for sale in Glendale, AZ.
