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Considerations for a Kitchen Cabinet Makeover
By Elana Watson
More people are opting to refinish their existing kitchen cabinets rather than replacing them. They may make this decision based on budget concerns or because they prefer to live a “green” lifestyle and reduce the amount of material destined for a landfill. Or it may simply be that they like the layout and style of their cabinets and that they’re structurally sound, but just want a style update. Whatever the reason, here are some factors to keep in mind if you are considering a makeover of your existing kitchen cabinets. Budget Constraints
Just because you are making over existing cabinets rather than totally replacing them, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the process will be cheap. Even if you do the work yourself, certain paints and finishes are more expensive than others, and there is also the cost of supplies and strippers or mediums that may be needed to remove or prepare the original finish. Labor
If you are having the work done by a professional, the cost will be even higher. Having new veneers and resurfacing done is more expensive than simply having cabinets painted. The process of painting over an old finish is less labor intensive than stripping and refinishing, or installing new veneers or cabinet fronts. Also, some paint or wood refinishing products are harder to use than others, so that could impact the final cost of having the cabinets painted or refinished. Be sure to consider that material that your cabinets are made of whether doing it yourself or hiring a professional. Certain materials, such as wood, are much easier to work with than metal or composites. When doing it yourself, you may disappointed in the final results if you are not familiar with methods, applications and finishes that should be used on your particular kind of cabinet. Refinishing new cabinets by any method is generally cheaper than having them replaced. However, if your cabinets are not in good condition or you need your kitchen layout rearranged to make it more efficient, you would be better off replacing your cabinets.
Bottom Line
When cost is a major factor, the least expensive route it to paint your cabinets yourself. This involves removing the doors and hardware, cleaning sanding the doors and bases, and applying paint and primer. It’s not necessarily hard to do, but it involves quite a bit of elbow grease.
Another low-cost approach, which can helpful if your cabinets must be replaced, is to choose unfinished stock wood cabinets and stain or paint them yourself; or to choose stock white laminate cabinets, and install the cabinets yourself. Custom cabinetry is the most expensive option; however, you can get a custom look with mid-range price cabinets. Local major chain home improvement stores carry good quality cabinetry and offer free kitchen design services with your purchase. You can customize these brand-name cabinets with fluted edges, stacked foot bases, crown moldings, corbels and other trim details to give them a custom look at a reasonable price.
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