Kitchen Cabinets - Reface Or Replace?
By SuperKitchens.com, Fri Dec 9th

Kitchen Cabinets - Reface or Replace?

Homeowners sometimes ask themselves if they really need toreplace the cabinets. Why not just "reface" them ? To decide ifyour kitchen remodel warrants replacing cabinets or you shouldconsider refacing instead, take this brief quiz:

1. What is the MAIN reason you are considering remodeling?

A. Just want a fresh new look

B. Need more counterotop work space.

C. Need more storage or to add an 'eat in space'

D. Need new appliances, sink of floor covering

E. Cabinet drawers stick or otherwise don't work or othercabinet problems

2. Is the value of your home rising?

A. No

B. Yes

3. Have others in your neighborhood remodeled the kitchen in thepast 5 years?

4. How long do you plan to stay in your home?

A. One year or less before we sell

B. Plan to stay 3-5 years before we sell

C. Plan to stay in this home indefinitely

If your answer to more than one of these questions is "A",refacing might be the right choice. "Refacing" is a general termfor a process of replacing doors and drawer fronts and includesplacement of a veneer to match the new wood species and finishon the cabinet frames. (Some refacers also offer optionalreplacement of the entire drawer and drawer glide system andadding other interior functional features.)

Positive Results You May Obtain by Refacing Your Cabinets

* Costs less than cabinet replacement

* Fresh, new look for your cabinets

* More pleasant or up-to-date environment

* Possibly interior functional features for extra cost

* More appealing to potential home buyers

Refacing Cautions

* Same old traffic, workspace and storage problems have not beenimproved upon.

* Future decision to do the complete job and make floor planimprovements would mean replacing the countertop and sink asecond time. The same for floor coverings and wallpaper.

* No opportunity to enhance the kitchen with specialty cabinetslike dish or wine rack, etc.

* Interior of cabinet remains the same; so does interiormaintenance

* Warranty is for new products only. Basic cabinets are notcovered

Positive Results You Can Expect by Replacing Your Cabinets

* The opportunity to improve the traffic, work patterns andstorage space in your floorplan

* One time sink and countertop replacement. (If a few yearsafter refacing you decide to tackle the entire kitchen and makegeneral improvements, countertops and sink cannot bere-installed on new cabinets

* Stronger, more durable cabinets throughout

* Solid wood face frames, not veneer applied to the surface

* The possibility of enhancing the beauty of the kitchen byadding specialty cabinets such as a wine rack or display cabinet

* Light, attractive easy to clean interiors

* Warranty on the entire cabinet, not just the doors and drawers

Best Advice

The price difference between refacing and replacing may beminimal when the overall value is considered. Replacing cabinetsdoes dictate the replacement of countertops, sink, built-inappliances and probably floor covering. The additional cost forcompletely new cabinets compared to refaced old cabinets may bequite small. In some instances, the difference is as little as10%. Be a wise shopper!

About the author:SuperKitchens.com offers tips on getting the most out of yourkitchen redesign projects. For more tips, visithttp://www.superkitchens.com