What Is Involved In Cabinet Refacing?

When you want to spruce up the look of your kitchen but can't afford all new cabinetry, refacing your cabinets is the best option. It's half as expensive as buying new cabinets, can be done in a week or less, and you can still use your kitchen while the work is being done. It's also a green option because the cabinets aren't being torn out and tossed. Refacing is done in one of three ways: veneers, door overlays, and refinishing or repainting.

Veneers vary in thickness and type of material. Depending on the look you want and your budget, you can choose from things such as pressure sensitive, non-adhesive, plywood, solid wood, 3D laminate, and engineered wood products.

After the installer takes measurements, they'll remove the doors, clean off the exposed surfaces, and lightly sand them. Any major spots of damage are filled with putty. The veneers are applied and the doors are put back on. Thinner veneers like laminates have a peel-and-stick backing, while wood styles must be secured with wood glue and finishing nails.

Door overlays are applied in much the same way as veneers. These door fronts have wider dimensions so that they cover more of the visible cabinet surface. Careful measurements must be taken to ensure there's enough of a gap between the door edges for them to close completely.

The most labor-intensive and time-consuming option is to refinish or repaint your cabinets. All doors must be removed and the cabinets scrubbed thoroughly to remove old stains, residues, peeling backings, and any dust and grim. Then they have to be sanded down to a rough finish so the new stain or paint can absorb. This is still less costly and less time-consuming than installing all-new cabinets.

If you live in Oakland County or Macomb County, Creative Building and Remodeling is here to help you with all your kitchen projects, including cabinet refacing. Contact us today for a free estimate!