A cabinet refacing is also commonly referred to as a cabinet finishing or cabinet painting. A cabinet refacing is a quick and affordable way to completely replace a cabinet’s surface, including the hardware. A cabinet refacing is done on a smaller scale than a full cabinet refacing, which is also a very common service. While a full cabinet refacing may require the complete replacement of the cabinet’s cabinet surfaces and fittings, a cabinet refacing only requires replacement of hardware and finish.
Cabinet refacing is a method for renovating kitchen cabinets as well as older bathroom and shower cabinets, or installing new cabinetry in a bathroom, shower, or remodeled kitchen. A cabinet refacing is a method used to repair and refinish older cabinetry, which may have seen better days. Old bathroom cabinets and shower curtains are prime candidates for cabinet refinishing. If your bathroom cabinet doors are damaged or outdated, a quick refinishing job could restore your cabinetry to its former beauty.
While it is possible to install a brand new cabinet finish by painting, there are several disadvantages to doing so. Painting will not cover all areas of discoloration or wear and may hide too much useful cabinetry. While it is possible to apply a gloss or latex mask over an existing finish, this finish is often difficult to remove, and masks made of latex or some other thick coating may crack, flake or chip. Installing a new finish is also a time-consuming and potentially expensive project. While the cost of a new cabinet finish may be more than the cost of buying new cabinetry, if you have a low tolerance for expense, a new finish may be just what you need to breathe new life back into your cabinetry.
There are many cabinet refinishing services available to homeowners, including a variety of options for applying an epoxy coating over the existing finish. Epoxies are paint applied over a wood or laminate surface, producing a hard glossy or matte finish. This type of cabinet refacing is much less expensive than a full cabinet replacement and offers significantly improved durability. When applied correctly, epoxies will stand up to much more abuse, resisting cracking, chipping and fading. If the existing finish has begun to fade in any way, epoxy may be able to help restore the color and shine. Most epoxy resins blend in with the existing finish very well and can be removed easily if desired.
Cabinet refacing can also produce a whole new look and feel to cabinets without the expense and hassle of replacing the whole thing. Many people choose to replace the door fronts on their cabinets, creating a modern or contemporary look. This is also a great option if you prefer a change of color for your cabinets, or if you’d like to add a personalized touch. Wood frame cabinets can also be refaced to create a contemporary, minimalist design. If you’re tired of the same look, refacing just might be the answer.
Whether you choose to purchase ready-made refaces or custom build cabinets yourself, there are several important steps involved. The first step is to carefully measure the areas that you wish to reface, so that you have plenty of room to work in. The next step is to carefully assess your cabinet doors. If you wish to purchase a ready-made cabinet refinisher, take note of the brand name, make, and model number of the doors, as well as the finish (coating or clear coat). A cabinet refinisher may only be used on specific brand names; if this is the case, the product label should indicate this.
