Basics of Cabinet Refacing

When your kitchen starts looking outdated and worn, you know it's time for an upgrade. But you don't have to completely overhaul your entire kitchen to give it a brand new look. Often, you can accomplish a radical make over simply by updating the look of your kitchen cabinets. Cabinet refacing is just one of the ways to give your kitchen a dramatic facelift that will make it feel brand new. Here is a brief rundown on the basics of cabinet refacing.

The Basics: What is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing involves putting a new finish on or replacing the visible or surface parts of your kitchen cabinets. In other words, cabinet refacing is a way of upgrading your kitchen cabinets without having to tear down the cabinet box cases that are attached to or embedded into the actual kitchen walls. It can be something as simple as adding a new veneer to the existing cabinet doors, or it can involve replacing old doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet hardware pieces with new ones.

Preparing the Existing Frame for New Fronts

In order to prepare the existing cabinet box frame, you have to remove all the existing doors and drawer fronts. Refinish the existing frame if you need to so that the new set of doors and drawers you've chosen match it. If you are replacing the hinges, fill in the holes made by the old ones, as the new hinges will probably not line up with the old ones. Filling in the holes keeps the cabinet box case structurally strong.

If Refinishing Existing Fronts

If you're keeping certain parts, and simply refinishing them, make sure you strip them completely of their paint and old finishes. Start with a rougher grade sand paper and continue stepping down the grade until you've run through to the very fine sandpaper types. You should do this when you're refinishing the cabinet box frame as well, to ensure a smooth clean finish. When you are adding stain and clear coating, make sure to sand over each layer with fine sandpaper to clear it of bumps before adding the next layer.

Picking a New Design

The above was a very brief description of the the mechanics of cabinet refacing, which is essentially a simple replacement of your old cabinet fronts with new ones. The fun part of the process is picking out the new cabinets that will be going into the old cabinet box frame. Depending on the kinds of doors and drawers you get, you might have to make adjustments to the box frame. It's recommended that you consult with an interior design company that specializes in cabinetry so that you can make an informed choice and make sure that the final result fits your vision. Bardon Cabinetry has been providing excellent custom cabinet refacing in San Diego for decades. Give them a call to find out more about what's involved.