Being a Custom Cabinetmaker and Finish Carpenter I'm frequently asked what I think about refacing cabinetry as opposed to demolishing the old cabinets and starting from scratch.
The Con's come down to Quality and Freedom! The PSA wood veneer is very thin and very frequently starts to bubble or lift off the old wood surface within a year to 18 months.Another minor problem that can be solved by your own skills is when the cabinet door is really damaged that it needs replacement. This task may be tremendous as they require the right equipment and material, however, with videos available on the web, you may find that it is possible.Kitchen cabinet re-facing is also possible if the cabinet door is already sagging down. Doors that are sagging are hard to close. At worst, they become impossible to close. This is why early detection should be followed with immediate action to prevent further damage to the cabinet.Eriez Magnetics, call 800-345-4946, or search mmsonline.com/suppliersIn order to understand the problems with refacing cabinetry you need to know a little about the process. They typically remove and throw away the: doors, drawer fronts, door hinges, drawer slides and cabinet door knobs (if any).If you think that the cost of repair far overshadows the whole value of the kitchen cabinet and it does not have much of a sentimental value, you have to better discard it. Nonetheless, if the cabinet is still in good shape and only a few and minor damages or replacements are needed, then by all means, proceed with re-facing.The problem is, they make no mention of quality or durability or improved functionality and forget getting a decent warranty!Perhaps, the most common occurrence in kitchen cabinets are the missing screws, bearings, locks, and drawer slides. Depending on the simplicity or complexity of the locks and screws, you may spearhead the kitchen cabinet re-facing or seek a professional help. Again, if you are unsure of your capacity to do it and there is no available videos on the web that demonstrate exactly how to fix drawer slides and bearing like yours, then, hiring a professional to do it is worth the while.The drawer magnets are designed to capture and hold fine and weakly magnetic particles, preventing plugged valve gates, damage and equipment downtime. According to the company, the increased use of recycled plastics, which can contaminate metal, requires moldmakers and extruders to utilize high-strength magnets. Reprocessed material pellets with tiny particles of encapsulated ferrous material can be captured and held to prevent product contamination, process downtime and equipment/mold damage, the company says.Cabinets are among the furniture that are expected to last a lifetime. Such proves especially true among kitchen cabinets in North America. Thus, kitchen cabinet re-facing is always recommended. It preserves memories and save the earth.Example of minor damages includes chipped paint, missing or damaged knob or handles and missing a chunk of wood. These conditions are repairable by carpentry. There are many do-it-yourself techniques on how to do the repair. They can search the web for practical and easy to follow instructions.At times, old stains become very stubborn they damage the aesthetics of the cabinet. This is particularly true in houses where a beautiful kitchen cabinet-made from hard wood-has been mounted. There are stains that require special chemicals or formulas to remove. Visiting a furniture restoration would be worth the trip as it may save your cabinet from hideous stains and exude its true beauty.The list goes on and on...That being said, to say I'm not a fan of refacing cabinetry would be an understatement! I'll give you the Pro's and Con's and let you be the judge.
By the way, if you're still not convinced, ask around and find someone who refaced their kitchen two years ago or more and find out if they'd do it again. Just make sure they don't work for the refacing company!
Author: Kevin Koop
No comments:
Post a Comment