Cabinet refacing is a quick and convenient way to update your kitchen. In just days, rather than weeks or months, you can transform your home without disrupting your normal life. All you need to do is find the right materials (e.g hinges, boards etc).
Below as some key steps to follow to successfully, reface your kitchen cabinets
Items needed (DIY)
Sandpaper, drop cloth, paintbrush, vanish or paint, household cleaner, kitchen cabinet hinges
Step One: Know what you really want
It would be difficult to proceed with the task of refacing your kitchen cabinets if you are not sure about what you want to achieve in the first place. First, you need to consider the current layout of your kitchen. What sorts of modifications can it allow? Second, you need to ponder on the layout of your kitchen. Is it possible for you to alter the shape/size of your cabinets without interfering with the functionality of your kitchen? Once you have answers to this question, you will be good to proceed to the most important step by picking the new finish for your kitchen cabinets.
Step Two: Find the right finish for your cabinets
What is your style? Do you like contemporary high-tech finish or perhaps you prefer a paint finish. Remember, you can always choose between prefinished and unfinished variants. If you like customized color then unfinished finishes would be the ideal choice to go for. Another benefit to unfinished finish over finished is that you can touch up any accidents that may occur during installation. Remember you can always seek for professional advice from your local hardware if you are not sure what finish option to settle for.
Step Three: Prepare the site
First, remove the kitchenware from the cabinets and drawers. Look keenly for any signs of damage, wear and rot. You want to scrutinize the cabinets for any signs of damage and then replace the affected part before you start the refacing work. Once you have done this, disassemble the drawers and doors of the cabinet. Clean up all the surfaces and then rough them a bit with sand-paper.
Step Four: Installing the new face
Cut the new face to fit the surfaces that you want refaced. Apply carpenter’s glue on the underside. Then glue and stick to its place. Normally, the new face should be made from plywood with a finished face sourced from thin veneer film (cherry, walnut and maple are also good). If you are painting, you can find unfinished resin or laminate based glossy finish.
Step Five: Veneer the stile and rail
The stile is simply the vertical face of your cabinet face and rail the horizontal member. You want to add your veneer by carefully gluing it on the stiles and later on the rails of your cabinet boxes. One needs to be highly carefully when applying veneers because they are quite thin and can easily break during application. Veneers are best cut using scissors and this should always be followed by removing the self stick back as you stick the veneer along. One should be careful to remove the bubbles that may accumulate when applying the veneer. Trimming needs to be done with extra care too.
Step Six: Fit the new doors
Replace the cabinet doors and drawers carefully, ensuring that they are leveled with the frame. This can be a difficult task to accomplish but you can always find aid in using a template that is usually supplied with new hinges. I recommend selecting the right kitchen Cabinet Hinges by visiting Cliffside . You need to attach the hinges to the doors and then to the frame. Make adjustment until the doors are in the correct position, and tightly in place. Install the new drawer fronts taking care to attach it from the inside. You will have to slide the hardware around to re-install it.
Step Seven : Final touches
The final (and most important step) is to complement the new-look cabinets with matching hardware i.e pulls, knobs and drawer handles. You need to align the drill holes properly. Alternatively, you can make a jig out of a piece of scrap wood. This will allow you to make consistent placement.
Final word
If you want to reface your kitchen cabinets with minimal hassles, you need to get everything accurately. From measurements to basic hardware (such as hinges) there is no room for compromise. If that is done, you’ll be sure to be a proud owner of high quality new-look kitchen cabinets
