Achieve a new look in your kitchen without the cost of a major renovation by adding glass to cabinet doors. This decorative upgrade offers a contemporary look and allows for easy color changes to reflect your dishware or holiday décor.
Refacing is a long-term solution that’s designed to stand up to years of everyday wear and tear. Refinishing, on the other hand, is a short-term fix that requires revisiting every few years. Contact San Jose Cabinet Refinishing for more details.
Preparation
Cabinet refinishing and refacing are two options for updating your home’s cabinets. Which one you choose depends largely on the condition of your existing cabinets, as well as how extensive a transformation you want. Refinishing is typically the more cost-effective choice, but refacing offers a wider range of customization options.
Refacing involves replacing old components with new ones, including doors and drawer fronts, but it also applies a fresh coat of paint or veneer to the existing cabinet boxes. This option allows you to create a completely custom look, and it can give your cabinetry a more uniform appearance than refinishing alone.
To reface your cabinets, first remove the hardware and hinges. Once the cabinet boxes are exposed, they can be sanded down to prepare them for the application of the new veneer or paint. It’s important to work carefully during this step to ensure that the edges of the cabinet box are smooth and blemish-free.
Next, apply a thin layer of adhesive to the surface. Using a roller, spread it evenly to avoid accidentally getting adhesive on the new surface. Then, use a dry brush to smooth the surface and remove any bubbles. It’s a good idea to work a little ahead where two cabinets meet to prevent accidentally smearing the newly applied coating.
For the veneer, cut a piece to the desired width and length. Once it’s ready, press it into place, starting with the stiles and moving on to the rails as you go. If the edges of your cabinet boxes have rough or sharp surfaces, sand them down with fine-grit sandpaper.
Once the cabinet faces are finished, install the new door and drawer fronts and reattach the hinges and handles. Then, you can enjoy a fresh new look that’s built to withstand years of holiday feasts and weekday chaos. For the best results, enlist the help of professionals like the team at Cabinet Cures of the Traingle to handle your cabinet refacing project. Our experts can assess your space, recommend suitable materials and designs, and execute the refacing process with precision and efficiency.
Measurements
Adding glass door inserts to your cabinets can bring a touch of luxury, visual interest and elegance to your kitchen. The transparent nature of the glass diffuses light and can add an airy feel to your home, while still allowing you to showcase cherished dishes and decorative items. It’s important to choose the right type of glass for your needs, though. Clear glass is a popular choice because it’s easy to clean, but you can also select frosted or decorative glass for added privacy or an elegant, modern feel.
If you’re looking for a more dramatic change, consider refacing your cabinetry instead of replacing them entirely. This method is less invasive and can be completed in a shorter amount of time, so you can get back to your everyday routine much sooner.
Cabinet refacing can be done on your own or with the help of professional installers, but it requires accurate measurements to ensure the new doors and drawer fronts fit perfectly. If you choose to do the project yourself, be sure to carefully measure each door and drawer opening with a tape measure, then mark them with painters’ tape and number them to make the job easier. It’s also a good idea to take detailed measurements of your LEXAN glass, which can be cut to size using a utility knife or plastic cutting tool.
To get the most out of your investment, choose a durable material that will stand up to years of wear and tear. High-quality veneers and RTF can withstand daily use and resist moisture, making them an excellent option for your cabinets. You can also choose to use reclaimed wood for your new kitchen elements for an eco-friendly and sustainable choice.
Replacing your entire cabinet system can be a lengthy and messy process that often requires demolition, removal and reconstruction, resulting in significant disruption to your daily routine. But with the right materials and a little planning, you can refresh your cabinets with minimal invasiveness and expense. For example, refacing your cabinetry with natural wood veneers and custom glass inserts can create an elegant look at a fraction of the cost of purchasing and installing all-new cabinetry.
Cutting
Cabinet glass inserts offer homeowners a fresh and affordable way to enhance their kitchen design. They are available in a wide range of colors, textures, patterns and safety options. Glass is also easy to clean and durable. And because of this, it’s the perfect choice for busy households.
To prepare the cabinet door for an insert, measure the width and height of the existing hole, deducting 1/8-inch to allow room for expansion and contraction of the panel without damaging the glass. If the cabinet is solid wood, rabbet the back (inside) of the opening to accept a glass insert. If the cabinet is frame and panel, or constructed with mdf or plywood, cut the openings, make a wooden frame for the glass, and inset the frame into the cabinet doors.
If using plexiglass, mark the dimensions of the cabinet door frame on the glass insert with a carpenter’s square and a pencil. Use a circular saw with eye and hearing protection to carefully cut the marked lines. Install the new glass insert into the cabinet door, applying silicone caulk around the perimeter of the glass or screwing in retainer clips no more than 12-inches apart. Clean the glass insert and wipe away any excess caulk or glue.
Installation
The cabinets in a kitchen serve as both the functional and aesthetic backbone of this central space, but over time they can start to show signs of wear and tear. Rather than replacing them altogether, you may choose to either reface or refinish your existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Both offer a cost-effective way to revitalize your kitchen, but which one is best for you? The answer will depend on your overall vision for the kitchen and whether you are looking to make a dramatic change or simply want a refresh that retains the current style.
Cabinet Refacing
A full replacement of your cabinetry entails a company gutting the kitchen, installing brand new cabinets and reworking the entire layout. This can be the most dramatic option, giving you complete flexibility in your style and allowing for a drastic change from something very traditional to a modern European or more rustic design. However, this is a substantial financial commitment and will require a long period of downtime in the kitchen while the work is underway.
Cabinet Refacing is an alternative to replacement that offers a variety of benefits for homeowners seeking a more budget-friendly update. It can be performed on solid wood, frame-and-panel or mdf/plywood cabinet boxes and allows for a wide range of customization options. It is also much quicker than a full replacement, typically completing in a single day.
Adding glass inserts to cabinet doors requires minimal modification of the face frames, but you will need to prepare the door itself. To do this, remove the hardware from the doors and lay them down on a flat, stable surface. Next, using a ruler and carpenter’s square, measure the depth of the groove in the cabinet frame to determine how deep to cut into the wood panel when removing the door from the opening. Mark the necessary line on both sides of the cabinet with a pencil and, wearing protective eye and hearing protection, carefully cut along the marked lines with a circular saw. Clean the plexiglass insert with a non-abrasive glass cleaner and install it in the cabinet with silicone caulk or screws no more than 12-inches apart.