It’s a very common question.
So what I need?
- I love my granite but I hate my cabinets.
- I love my cabinets but hate the color.
- I hate my whole kitchen!
I use the Kitchen as an example, of course this room is the #1 spot most homeowner’s would change in there home.
In this 21st century, technology has taken us far beyond the “next level”. Now you can Google an image of a beautiful custom Kitchen, an exquisite custom home Bar or even, the kitchen inside Meryl Streep’s home, and Walla, there it is!
In the past we’ve found how to make our lifeless Kitchen come to life with such Cable show’s as the short lived, “Designing on a Dime”. As most of you know, it will cost about a quarter to repair that deteriorating “Dime” kitchen.
And now here’s the math test, that equals what__ 35¢. CORRECT.
Everyone knows that commonly used cliche; “the cheapest way usually proves the most costly”.
Now, what should I do?
Re-Finish;
This is where I see most of the confusion. A refinish is normally the change in color/stain. In this process by the cabinets do not change in structure. The face frame, door and drawer faces and moldings are sanded “lightly” and changed to a different color/stain. In the refinishing process nothing has to change, the granite top, the appliances etc.
Re-finishing is the longest process and if a licensed contractor is used can take up to a few weeks.
Note; if changing to a white painted surface, Oak is not a good wood for painting. Maple and Alder will paint much better.Some painting will need to take place in your home.
Re-Facing;
In the re-facing process, door and drawer facing are replaced. The face frames are covered with a solid piece of wood (maple,oak,alder). Drawer boxes and interior glides and hinges can be updated. The thickness of the face frame applied is determined by the overhang of the top, granite, quartz etc. An applied face frame with door or drawer face MUST NOT pass the top’s overhang otherwise liquid spills can flow directly into drawers and inside cabinets.
Note; Re-facing is normally a good choice is existing cabinet interiors are in good condition. Appliances can stay the same and you have no extra cost for a granite or quartz top replacement. Depending on your ceiling upper cabinets can be replaced and changes in height and molding can to place, as is seen in the two pictures above.
This process depending on the size of the kitchen and take only a few days. No staining or painting should be done inside your home.
Re-Place;
It’s time to demo that old kitchen and start over. Now you can have the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
In this process normally tops are not reusable and you probably want to now have the cabinet style, granite/quartz top you choose and all new state-of-the-art appliances.
Lastly the cost;