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| So you need to give your avocado green kitchen a face-lift? Do you need to bring your pink Formica bathroom out of the 80s and into the new millennium without going broke? If so, one option to help you remodel without depleting your bank account is cabinet refacing. This innovative procedure can save time, money, and the environment while providing homeowners with an alternative to total demolition and chaos. Cabinet refacing is a relatively young remodeling alternative. From what this writer can determine, it has been around since the 1980s. Refacing is the process of changing the look of your cabinets while keeping the existing cabinet boxes. This can be as simple as repainting and replacing old hardware. It can also be a more involved process of stripping and refinishing the cabinet cases, or you can cover them with new veneer and then replace the doors and drawer fronts. Regardless of the method, it can give your room a totally new look without the new price tag. New cabinets can literally cost thousands of dollars for a new kitchen or bathroom. But cost is not the only reason for choosing to reface versus replace. Time is the second most important factor when choosing refacing. Total demolition of a room can take weeks as compared to only days for refacing. In addition to saving time, refacing will allow you to use your kitchen or bathroom while the work is being completed. Demolition could have you cooking on a camping stove in your garage or parking a porta-potty in your backyard. The age of the cabinets you want to change also plays a role in determining if refacing is a practical solution. If your home is older than 10 years, the cabinets are more than likely constructed of solid wood. These are probably worth keeping. If you were to replace the entire cabinet, you would probably end up with structures made of particleboard and therefore an inferior quality. You want to keep it green—just not avocado green. One last reason to choose refacing over replacing is that it is eco-friendly. Refacing keeps old cabinet cases out of landfills, and fewer resources are consumed to manufacture new doors and veneers. So, in addition to feeling good about your kitchen or bathroom’s look, you’ll feel good about doing your part for the environment. It is a proven fact that kitchens and bathrooms sell a home. Prospective buyers have certain and specific requirements they are looking for. Aesthetic appeal, layout, and versatility are important selling points. As a seller, you want to make sure you can deliver. If your kitchen already has a practical and useful layout that allows traffic to flow smoothly, a total remodel is probably unnecessary. Refacing is economical and can certainly help sell your home. When thinking about cabinet refacing, other rooms besides the kitchen and bathroom can benefit as well. Family or media rooms with built-in cabinetry, laundry rooms, and garages are all candidates for an updated look. Some of you may be wondering about the last room mentioned. Really? Come on now ladies. I know many men who love their garages more than their entire houses. And if they are going to spend most of their waking hours in it, it may as well look spiffy. Refacing can create a garage theme. Designs, patterns, and colors can be matched to your man’s favorite sport such as Nascar or motocross. The possibilities are limitless. When refacing, some homeowners also opt to change the inside layout of the cabinets as well. Additions such as a Lazy Susan and sliding shelves for heavy cooking equipment add to their versatility. Your contractor will be able to provide you with ideas and options that you may not have otherwise considered. The type of refacing you choose will determine the cost and length of your project. Obviously, repainting and changing the hardware will probably be quicker and less costly. Choosing to cover the existing cabinet cases with new veneer and replacing the doors with new ones will take a bit longer. The veneer and doors will need to be custom-ordered to fit your layout and then installed. It is best to hire a professional to tackle cabinet refacing. As always, word-of-mouth recommendations prove best when searching for a local contractor. Friends, co-workers, and even Internet bulletin boards can provide invaluable tips and information when trying to find the perfect contractor for your project. You may also look to local hardware stores since they often offer refacing services. Once you have chosen a contractor, it is prudent to get several quotes. You may be surprised, especially in today’s economy, how competitive they will be to earn your business. Once a contractor is secured, get their quote in writing. Make sure that all necessary materials and labor are included. As your project progresses, it is best to check on your contractor often. Don’t just move out of the room and give them free reign. Be available to them for questions and comments. Your contractor should not be apprehensive to let you see their progress. They may also want to get your OK as each step is completed. Once the room is finished, ask your contractor for a final walk-through. This will allow you to make sure that the veneers are smooth, all doors are flush with the cabinet cases, and the new hardware has been installed properly. Any small necessary adjustments can then be made on-the-spot. If you are thinking about changing the look of your kitchen or bathroom but the idea of a full-blown remodel doesn’t appeal to you or your budget, cabinet refacing is a clever option. It can not only save money, but time as well. This “mini-remodel” is easy on the environment and your family. Face it—refacing is probably worth it. Sources for this story included: www.faceyourkitchen.com, www.wisegeek.com, and www.kitchentuneup.com. |
Change it Up with Cabinet Refacing |
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