Sacramento Cabinet Refacing is an inexpensive, non-invasive kitchen remodel that can make a big impact. Refacing your cabinets lets you select from a variety of colors, finishes and hardware to reflect your style preferences.
However, refacing cannot change your kitchen layout or fix structural problems like water damage and sagging. If you need to address these issues, a full remodel might be a better option.
Laminate
Laminate has been around for a long time, and it’s still widely used in the modern world. You may know it by another name — Formica, for example — but it’s the same product. It’s a plastic laminate that is very durable and has a beautiful look to it. It comes in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes to match any room style.
The core layer is thick and durable, and it can stand up to dents, scratches and spills. The design layer can emulate the look of a wide range of materials, such as stone, wood or even tile. It can be customized with your own designs and pictures. Finally, the wear layer helps protect your laminate floors from fading and staining. It’s important to maintain your laminate flooring by regularly cleaning it. Using felt protector pads under furniture, keeping pet nails trimmed and maintaining an indoor humidity level between 35% and 65% will help keep your laminate looking new and fresh.
If your laminate floors have minor chips in them, you can often hide them with wood filler. However, it’s best to use these products sparingly because they won’t blend in well with the rest of the grain of your floor. Wood filler also won’t work very well if the chip is large, because it will stand out and make your laminate look bad.
One way to change the look of your kitchen is to add trim to the bottom or top of the cabinets. Crown moulding can draw your eye upward, making your space feel larger. You can hire a carpenter to install this trim for you, or you can do it yourself with a miter saw and some basic tools.
You can also add trim to the inside of your cabinet doors to make them feel more custom. This gives them a unique, personalized touch and can make your cabinets look brand new. You can buy this trim at any hardware store or home improvement center, and it’s easy to cut with a handsaw or power saw.
Solid Wood
Refacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts is an efficient, cost-effective way to refresh your kitchen without the mess and expense of a full remodel. In this process, a layer of durable laminate is applied to all visible surfaces of your cabinets, including the old doors and drawer fronts (not the cabinet boxes). This fresh new finish is then installed to create a dramatic visual change. The new cabinets will look like brand-new and can be used for decades with minimal maintenance.
The refacing process can be done in days, and the work is performed on-site by professional installers to ensure flawless results. Unlike painting, which can be messy and time-consuming, refacing is a much cleaner job. You’ll also find that refacing eliminates the need to move appliances and other items, reducing cleanup and minimizing disruption to your home life.
Cabinet refacing is considered a greener option than total replacement, as it reduces the amount of unrecyclable materials sent to landfills. It’s also less expensive and quicker than a complete kitchen remodel, saving on demolition and labor costs. Refacing also allows you to keep the existing layout of your cabinets and design features that you’re happy with.
While refacing is the smart choice for many homeowners, if your cabinet boxes are damaged or you want a different layout, it may be better to consider a complete replacement. Refinishing or refacing won’t be enough to make that kind of difference, though it may be possible to rework the existing design.
If your cabinets are made of solid wood or laminate and in good condition, refacing is a great way to give them a facelift. However, if your cabinets are made of thermofoil or another material that can’t be sanded or stripped, this kind of upgrade won’t be possible.
For the best results, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional remodeler before starting your project. They’ll be able to help you select the best style, finish and hardware options that complement your overall design vision and will work well with your budget. They can also help you choose between refacing, resurfacing and refinishing to determine which is the most suitable for your specific needs.
Rigid Thermofoils
Thermofoils are a popular cabinet door option that offer many of the benefits of painted cabinets at a lower price point. These flexible plastic films are heated and stretched tightly over a substrate, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), to create a smooth surface that mimics painted wood or natural wood grain. Thermofoil doors are available in a wide range of colors, patterns and textures to suit any design style.
The underlying MDF is cut and routed to the desired shape before applying the thermofoil. During this process, any dust, debris or other contaminants are removed from the surface to ensure a clean and uniform finish. Next, a layer of adhesive is applied to the MDF to prepare it for the thermofoil. Once the adhesive has cured, the thermofoil is rolled onto the MDF and trimmed to remove any excess material.
Once the thermofoil is bonded to the MDF, it undergoes a final inspection for quality and consistency. Afterward, it’s ready to be shipped and installed in your home.
Like any material, a cabinet door’s durability depends on how it’s treated. Thermofoils can have an extended lifespan when properly maintained, but they’re prone to moisture damage. Moisture can penetrate a cabinet’s surface at a molecular level and cause the underlying MDF to rot or delaminate. Moisture can also cause the thermofoil to lose its vibrant color or develop a yellowish tint over time, reducing its aesthetic appeal.
If you’re looking for a durable cabinet door that looks great over the long term, consider a rigid thermoformable laminate (RTF). This type of high-performance 3D laminate features advanced durability and chemical resistance, making it an excellent choice for commercial or high-traffic kitchens. Its matte finish is soft and non-reflective, offering a subtle aesthetic that can add a touch of sophistication to any room.
Metal
Cabinet refacing is the perfect middle ground between a full kitchen remodel and simple updates like painting. It delivers a dramatic visual change without the expensive, messy disruption of ripping out and installing new cabinets. Cabinet refacing is done by covering the existing face frames and cabinet boxes with high-quality veneer or solid wood and adding new doors and drawer fronts.
Refacing your kitchen with new cabinets offers a fresh, modern look and can dramatically boost your home’s resale value. It’s also a faster project than ordering and installing new cabinets, making it a smart investment for homeowners. However, you can’t reface your entire kitchen and still have the flexibility to make major structural changes, like relocating appliances or introducing a kitchen island.
Before starting your refacing project, you’ll need to assess the condition of your cabinetry. If the doors are in good shape but your cabinets have warped and weakened areas, you may need to replace them. In general, the best candidates for refacing are sturdy, well-made cabinetry with no signs of heat damage near appliances or faulty adhesive.
If you have sturdy, well-made cabinets, refacing is the most cost-effective way to update your kitchen. It can save you up to 70% versus replacing your existing cabinetry.
Once the cabinets are prepped, you’ll be ready to apply the veneer or solid wood. Remove any hardware and clean the faces of your cabinetry, including the insides and outer surfaces. This step is important as any dust or dirt can prevent proper adhesion of the new material.
Next, you’ll cover the face frames and sides with a thin layer of veneer. You can choose from a wide variety of styles, colors, and finishes to complement your kitchen’s design. There are even options that look just like natural wood, giving you the ability to create a traditional or contemporary style.
Unlike a complete remodel, cabinet refacing is quick and easy. It’s typically completed in just 2-3 days, leaving you with a beautiful new kitchen without the mess and stress of a total demolition and reconstruction.