A new kitchen or bathroom is possible with cabinet refinishing. Kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities can be dressed up, revitalizing an old kitchen or bathroom. Plus, depending on the condition of the wood cabinets, this task can be easy.
Cabinet refinishing is a great way to save money and still have a beautiful or unique kitchen. The cost can be minimal if your cabinets are in good shape. The do-it-yourself homeowner can save thousands compared to new cabinets, and all it requires is a plan, a little effort and persistence.
The steps can be applied equally well to bathroom vanities and any built in cabinetry, such as bookshelves.
Decorative Possibilities for Your Cabinets
Many decorative effects can be achieved during any cabinet refinishing project, especially with paint. A different color on the doors or a crackle finish is just a couple of examples.
The overall look and feel of your kitchen or bathrooms can be dramatically changed and improved by either revitalizing the current finish or refinishing with paint or stain.
* Painting Cabinets: Painted cabinets can add a new look and style to an otherwise dreary kitchen or bathroom. A tough scratch resistant finish is possible, resulting in an entirely new look that is easily maintained. All of this for a fraction of the cost of a new set of wood cabinets or vanities.
* Use Glazes for a Decorative Effect: Using a glaze over paint is a great way to highlight details and give the cabinets a unique look. A glaze can be used for an aged look to newly painted cabinetry.
* Apply a Crackle Finish to Cabinets: This is a popular way to create a new and different kind of look. Crackling can be a bold statement or a subtle change with the right choice of paint colors. Add some glazing and crackling can take on the look of very old cabinets.
* Antiquing Cabinets for a Unique Look: This involves distressing an existing finish or antiquing can be combined with new stain. Many unusual effects are possible.
* Revitalize Your Current Finish: If you like the current look of your kitchen or bathroom, the finish can be revitalized to look new again. Stained cabinets can be brought back to life with just a little elbow grease, the proper materials and some good tools. Refinishing kitchen cabinets is one of the most popular and cost effective refinishing projects for both the homeowner and professional painter.
* Restain Over the Existing Finish: Retaining over existing finishes is another possibility. This typically involves the use of a gel stain and can produce dramatic color changes, especially with light stained cabinets. Restaining cabinets is an excellent alternative to replacing or refacing. Restaining cabinets using gel stain over a preexisting wood finish is also an alternative to stripping and sanding down to new wood.
Refacing Cabinets
The next best alternative to refinishing is refacing. Although cabinet refacing is cheaper than all new cabinets, it is still considerably more expensive than cabinet refinishing.
Cabinet refacing involves the replacement of the door and drawer fronts (with new) plus installing a veneer of new wood over the existing cabinets. This is done with your existing countertops in place, no need to replace them if they are in good shape.
This type of work is done by a professional and is a difficult DIY job. Refacing is typically twice as expensive as hiring a pro to refinish your cabinets. But, it is still considerably cheaper than a full replacement of your cabinets.
Replacing Cabinets
The cost of replacing kitchen cabinets can be very high. Homeowners can easily spend several thousands of dollars on new cabinets. This type of work is a kitchen or bath remodel and involves the replacement of the countertops.
Since the amount of work is extensive, this is your most expensive option. If your cabinets and countertops are very bad shape, a full replacement is best.
Cabinet Refinishing Tips
Now that you are convinced that cabinet refinishing is better than replacing, a few tips and steps will be appropriate.
* If a new look is what you are after, look at magazines and the local home improvement center for ideas. A blueprint of ideas is needed before you start.
* Kitchen cabinet refinishing can be a large project that will take time and effort. Try to set up a temporary kitchen to minimize any interference with the refinishing process.
* Clean, clean and clean some more. This is very crucial for the best results. Kitchens and bathrooms are difficult areas to keep clean. All soap and chemical residues or grease must be completely removed.
* Take everything apart that you can. Remove all hinges and handles. Remove the doors and drawer fronts for easer sanding and application of the finish. Drawer fronts are often secured with a few screws to the drawer box. If your fronts cannot be removed, remove all items from the drawers and plan on refinishing with the fronts attached.
* Try to have all the materials purchased before starting. This way you won't run out in the middle of something. This includes choosing an interior wood stain color and having your samples handy for comparison.
* Think safety first. Properly dispose of rags and cleaning chemicals. And wear the appropriate eye and lung protection.
* Be patient. This is a big job that takes time to do right.
Cabinet refinishing is very affordable and a great do-it-yourself project that can involve many aspects of wood refinishing and repair. It will be a great day when you are finished. With a kitchen or bathroom that looks new, you will be the envy of everyone. With all the money saved by doing it yourself new projects can now become affordable.
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