KitchenDoors

Replacing Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Replacing kitchen cabinet doors is a smart and economical way to update your kitchen's look. Your cabinets may be in excellent shape, but they don't receive the same wear and tear as cupboard doors. These are prone to a variety of problems including sagging, scratches, mildew, faded and scuffed finishes, and rusty hinges. Luckily, updating your pantry by replacing cabinet doors is a simple and effective way to take care of issues like these and will give your kitchen a fresh, new look.

Cabinet door exteriors are a major focal point of any kitchen. Old, dull, worn-out cabinets are visually unappealing and can make your kitchen look shabby and uninviting. Replacing them is easy. You may even be able to get away with refinishing your existing doors, a process that will involve removing them, followed by sanding, painting or staining. Adding new handles will make them stand out even more.

DIY or Hire A Professional?

Considering the time and labor involved in refinishing, you may decide that it's easier replacing kitchen cabinet doors instead. First, you'll need to decide whether to tackle the job yourself or hire a professional. Depending on the scope of the project, you'll need at most a screwdriver and a paintbrush, and can probably finish in a day or two. If you aren't comfortable replacing them yourself, a contractor experienced in replacing kitchen cabinet doors can be hired.

When replacing kitchen cabinet doors yourself, the simplest task involves adding new doors to your existing cabinets. Wood is one of the most popular choices when it comes to replacing cabinets; it is beautiful, elegant, and decorative, with a natural texture that can't be duplicated. You can match a new wooden kitchen door to your existing cabinet by applying a stain, or choosing a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) wood veneer. This self-adhering veneer is available in a variety of textures and styles designed to provide a consistent look with cherry, ash, maple, oak, and other types of wood. Wood provides you with additional options, like painting and whitewashing.

Alternatives to Wood

As attractive and durable as a natural wood cabinet door is, there are reasons to consider replacing with alternative products instead. From a cost standpoint, real wood can be prohibitively expensive. Plus, wood has natural imperfections like knots that can reduce its structural durability and visual appeal. When replacing kitchen cabinet doors, it's wise to consider some popular alternatives.

MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) is a common substitute for real wood that many consumers are choosing when replacing cabinet doors in the kitchen. MDF is a versatile solid-core engineered product made from wood fibers that are compressed together with adhesive under heat and pressure, giving it a dimensional consistency and stability that results in a solid and very strong product. It contains no knots or woodgrain patterns, allowing for a more uniform cut, and has a smooth finish that is ideal for painting or varnishing. MDF is an environmentally friendly product made from 100% recycled wood fibers, eliminating wood waste, reducing the burden on landfills, preserving natural habitats, and slowing down deforestation. When replacing kitchen cabinet doors with MDF, you'll end up with a product that is more durable and resistant to warping than either particle board or plywood.

Once you've decided on MDF, you'll have the option of purchasing an RTF finish. RTF, or Rigid Thermal Foil, is a vinyl foil laminate that is layered atop a core product (such as MDF) and pressure molded into shape. Rugged and durable, a cabinet door made from RTF has the look and feel of real wood with a wood grain texture, but its surface is considerably stronger than one that has been painted or varnished. Additionally, because of its flexibility, RTF can be shaped and molded into a wide variety of styles, including arches and raised panel features. When replacing kitchen cabinet doors, choosing an MDF core with an RTF finish will give you a hardy, long-lasting and beautiful finished product that is less expensive than real wood.

Glass doors are another option for those replacing kitchen cabinet doors who do not desire the look or feel of wood. Glass panels can be installed easily on preexisting cabinets and are available in a variety of unique and eye-catching designs that include frosted, leaded and beveled glass finishes; etchings and carvings; and colorful artistic designs. Sophisticated and elegant, glass is a perfect choice if you have a nice collection of dishes or cookware to show off.

Whether you choose real wood or a manmade substitute, replacing kitchen cabinet doors is an easy and inexpensive way to freshen up your kitchen and take care of old, worn cabinets. Doing so revitalizes your kitchen while adding to the value of your home. If you'd like to receive quotes, simply fill out the form to get started!