Sacramento Cabinet Refacing is a great way to breathe new life into an old kitchen without the cost and disruption of a complete remodel. Cabinet refacing involves updating the cabinet doors and drawer fronts only.
Begin by veneering the stiles (the vertical side pieces) and rails (top and bottom components). If your cabinets are aligned properly one wide strip covering all of the stiles should work fine.
Preparation
Cabinet refacing is a popular kitchen makeover option for homeowners who are tired of their current look but don’t want to undergo an expensive, messy remodel. It’s less expensive than a complete replacement and requires less time, too.
However, DIY cabinet refacing isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes a good deal of precision to avoid miscalculations that result in gaps, overlaps, and other flaws that can undermine your new look. It’s also important to consider your skill level and how much time you’re willing to devote to the project. If you’re not confident in your ability to do the job properly, hiring professional refacing services may be a smarter choice.
Before you begin your DIY cabinet refacing project, you must prepare the existing cabinets to accept the new veneer. This step includes making any necessary repairs and sanding down the surface to ensure it’s smooth and ready for application. This is especially important if the cabinets have water damage or other blemishes. It’s also a good idea to label each cabinet door and drawer front for future reference. This will help you keep track of which ones belong in which locations when it comes time to reattach them.
The final preparation step involves cleaning the surfaces to remove any dust and dirt buildup. It’s also a good idea at this point to apply a primer to the cabinet boxes. This will ensure the new veneer adheres properly to the wood and helps the paint or stain last longer.
While refacing is an excellent way to refresh the appearance of your kitchen, it’s important to remember that this is a cosmetic upgrade and won’t fix structural or layout problems. If you’re concerned that your cabinets are sagging, warped, or uneven, it’s best to choose a full cabinet replacement rather than refacing them.
If you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive way to give your kitchen a facelift, cabinet painting is a great option. However, if you’re seeking a more dramatic change and are interested in upgrading features like soft-close hardware, a DIY cabinet refacing project may be more of a challenge than you’re ready for.
Veneering
Cabinet refacing replaces the fronts of cabinets while leaving their existing frames intact, offering homeowners a significant visual transformation for less than full replacement. This approach also eliminates the need to tear out and dispose of old cabinetry, reduces overall project costs and installation time, and minimizes kitchen disruption.
When refacing is done right, cabinet doors and drawer fronts look like they were custom-made to match your existing frame styles and dimensions. A professional-grade veneer is applied to the visible surfaces of the frames and secured with high-quality adhesives. This step also may include making any necessary repairs to the cabinet boxes, such as cleaning and sanding the surface and applying a primer or other prep product.
Veneer is a beautiful, durable material that can be used in many different ways, including covering the visible surfaces of cabinets. Homeowners often choose this option when they want to refresh the look of their kitchen without committing to a major remodel. It’s important to note, however, that refacing will not address any functional frustrations with your current cabinet layout, so if you need more interior storage space or a better workflow, a complete remodel is likely the best choice.
When most people hear the word “veneer,” they think of elaborate, crisscrossing patterns of inlay or furniture masterpieces carved from solid wood. But, in reality, a lot of cabinetmakers use veneer for its durability and cost-effectiveness as much as for its visual appeal. Modern veneering techniques are very sophisticated, with a wide range of materials and applications.
One of the most common and popular methods for applying veneer is by using a mechanical press. Using this technique, a large vacuum or mechanical pump is used to create powerful clamping pressure, which helps the glue bond with the substrate faster and more securely. Homeowners can purchase or build their own small-scale mechanical veneer presses for a relatively inexpensive investment.
Another common method for applying veneer is by hammering. In this process, a veneer hammer—essentially a long, blunt metal scraper with a stiff handle—is used to smooth the veneer on the substrate and squeegee out excess amounts of heat-activated glue. This technique is still used by some professionals, though it is generally seen as more labor-intensive than other methods and is typically reserved for the most skilled craftsmen.
Installation
Cabinet refacing is a kitchen remodel method that refreshes the look of existing cabinets without the expense and mess of full replacement. The process involves replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts while resurfacing the cabinet boxes with high-quality veneer or laminate. This results in a dramatic change that’s much less expensive than new cabinetry while delivering better durability and customizability.
Refacing is often referred to as “resurfacing” amongst professional remodelers and cabinet makers but the two terms are actually quite different. Cabinet resurfacing refers to the complete surface of the cabinet, including the interior cabinet components. This is accomplished by sanding or chemically stripping the existing finish then applying new stain or paint. On the other hand, cabinet refacing is only done on the visible surfaces of the cabinets, namely the door and drawer fronts, cabinet side panels and face frames as well as toe kicks.
With refacing, you can still use your current hardware but add a new high-end knob or pull. You can also change the color of your existing cabinetry or upgrade to real wood veneers from the old laminate ones. This is a great way to get a new custom kitchen color without the cost and hassle of a full cabinet replacement.
A key benefit of cabinet refacing is that it can be completed in a fraction of the time needed to replace your entire kitchen. Replacing cabinets can take weeks to months between the purchase of new cabinetry, ordering, shipping and installation. A pro can typically reface your cabinets in a few days, minimizing disruption to your daily life.
A couple of drawbacks of cabinet refacing to consider are that your current kitchen layout remains unchanged and it won’t fix structural problems or address outdated styles. Also, if your cabinet boxes are damaged, sagging or cheaply built they may not be able to support newer cabinet doors or drawer fronts. If you are considering refacing your cabinets you should check for peeling or warping of the existing thermofoil as this can be a sign that heat damage near appliances or failing adhesive is present.
Finishing
Cabinet refacing is the perfect option for homeowners looking to give their kitchen a face-lift on a budget. It’s faster and less disruptive than a full remodel, and it offers plenty of customizable options. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly choice because you don’t have to rip out old cabinets and waste material. But refacing is not without its limitations. If your cabinets are damaged, sagging, or poorly built, they won’t be fixed by refacing alone. That’s why it’s essential to consider all the pros and cons of this home improvement project before jumping in feet first.
The first step in refacing your kitchen is to remove the doors and drawer fronts. This will give you the opportunity to inspect the boxes for any damage or rot, which can then be repaired. Next, you’ll need to prepare the cabinet box surfaces by cleaning and sanding. Then, you can start veneering.
Choose your materials carefully. Veneer is more budget-friendly than solid wood, and it comes in a variety of grain patterns and colors. You can also add a custom touch by applying matching thermofoil edge banding to the exposed edges of the cabinets. To apply the edge banding, cut a length of the tape to size and heat it with an iron on a medium setting. Then, press the tape down firmly with your application tool to ensure adhesion.
You can also use a wood putty or auto body filler to repair any deep scratches or dents in the cabinets. This will give the new cabinet box a finished look and make it easier to clean later on. Before you begin painting, be sure to mask off the areas you don’t want to paint. You can also use plastic or paper to protect these surfaces from paint splatter.
If you’re planning to paint your cabinets, be sure to choose a high-quality latex or oil-based product. This will give you the best results and long-lasting finish. For the most durable finish, two coats are typically required. When choosing a color, be sure to pick one that will complement your existing decor.