How Do You Know Your Kitchen Cabinets Are Good For Refacing?

Those outdated cabinets in your kitchen may not have to be fully replaced if they no longer suit the design preferences of your space. In many cases, kitchen cabinet refacing can give well-used cabinets a new aesthetic look without the high cost of full replacement. Cabinet refacing involves adding a new layer of veneer or melamine to all outward-facing surfaces. Therefore, not all existing cabinets are suitable for the project. Here are a few questions to know the answers to before deciding if cabinet refacing is right for your kitchen cabinets. 

Are your kitchen cabinets structurally sound?

A cabinet refacing project is an extensive process that will involve taking off all the removable parts, replacing hinges and handles, and refacing each individual area. For an old set of cabinets that is not all that structurally sound, it can be easy to cause more damage to the cabinetry during refacing. On the other hand, if your primary cabinetry structures are still sturdy and sound, refacing should be a straightforward process. 

What are your kitchen cabinets made out of?

The best cabinets for refacing are typically made out of solid hardwood panels or plywood or MDF panels. Some materials are not suitable for cabinet refacing because the veneer will not adhere properly to the surface. For example, metal cabinetry does not work well for veneer resurfacing. 

Is all of the internal hardware in good shape?

Do your cabinets and drawers operate well? Are the internal shelves and drawer slides in good working order? This is important to consider for a few reasons. While the internal hardware can be replaced, the cost of replacement paired with the cabinet refacing costs may mean the cost of the project won't be feasible. If there are a lot of internal issues with your cabinetry, it may be best to consider full replacement instead. 

How are the face frames and cabinet doors of your cabinets?

The face frames are the forward-facing frames where the cabinet doors and drawers are mounted. Therefore, it is highly important that the frames are in good enough shape to withstand the kitchen cabinet refacing process and mounting the doors back in place after refacing. Likewise, the drawer fronts and cabinet doors should be sturdy and mostly free of damage or large imperfections. While the veneers used to cover the structures can conceal minor flaws, heavy damage can leave puckered points or inconsistencies on the surfaces. 

For more information, contact a cabinet refacing company near you.