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By: Kadence Buchanan
Cabinets are one of the most important aspects of any kitchen.
Quality cabinets can increase a the selling value of a home,
while poorly constructed ones can detract from not only the
value of a home but also the beauty and efficiency of a kitchen.
In this article you'll learn more about the different types
of cabinets, as well as what to do if the cabinets in your
kitchen are less than ideal.
There are many different types of cabinets, made out of many
different types of materials. The most popular material is,
of course, wood. The least expensive type of woods that cabinets
are sometimes crafted from include choices like poplar, birch
and maple. If you go with one of these woods, you will probably
want to paint your cabinets. Some homeowners choose to go
with designer effects like faux finishing to give lower grades
of wood a classic and sophisticated look. A step up from these
low grade woods would be choices like oak and pine -- durable
woods that are fairly affordable.
Looking to spend a bit more for high quality wood? Then you
should consider woods such as maple, cherry, or hickory. Which
one is best for you depends on your personal preferences and
what you feel looks best in your kitchen. Now, if you're looking
for a cabinet material that's truly spectacular, you could
go with expensive choices like mahogany, walnut or ebony.
Not only are these woods exotic and attractive, they're durable
and long-lasting.
Just as there are lots of various woods cabinets can be crafted
from, there are also various types of cabinetry to suit every
price range and preference. Stock cabinetry is the most affordable
type of cabinetry, however you won't have a lot to choose
from as far as design is concerned. These types of cabinets
are made in large quantities in a factory. The next step up
from stock cabinetry is semi-custom cabinetry. While these
are also factory made, you are given more choices in the size,
material and finish of your cabinets. The third, and most
expensive type of cabinets are custom cabinets. Custom cabinets
are crafted especially for you and meet your every specification
and need from start to finish. This type of cabinetry takes
longer to build and costs a lot more than the other two options,
but can be worth the time and expense.
Maybe you're a homeowner who has cabinets that are less than
satisfactory. If so, there are two choices available to you.
You can have your existing cabinets removed and replaced or
you can simply refinish your cabinets. Which option you choose
will have a lot to do with your kitchen storage needs and
the quality of your cabinets. If your cabinets are crafted
from a low-quality wood and you would prefer a higher grade,
then replacement is probably your best bet. If your cabinets
do not provide you with the storage space you need, this may
be another reason to replace. However, if your existing cabinets
are made from an acceptable wood and provide you with enough
storage, then refinishing, also known as refacing, might be
the way to go.
Refinishing your cabinets is something you can hire a contractor
to do, or handle yourself. The first step is to remove your
cabinet doors and all hardware, then label the inside of each
door with a sticky note. The reason for labeling is so that
it will be easy to replace your cabinets when you're done
refinishing. After you've labeled everything and removed all
the hardware, it's time to remove the finish from the cabinet
doors. This can be achieved with a varnish removal product
purchased from your local home improvement store. These products
can be quite toxic so always be sure to wear proper safety
equipment like goggles and gloves. Also, it's crucial to ventilate
the room with plenty of fresh air. If you can, doing the work
outdoors is an even safer option.
After the varnish remover has done its job, rinse the wood
clean and let it dry. Once dry, sand the cabinets to a smooth
finish, then brush away all excess sanding dust. You might
want to start with a coarse sandpaper to smooth rough areas
and finish with a finer grade for an even finish. After the
sanding is complete, you can apply the stain or varnish of
your choice. If you use more than one coat, allow each coat
to dry before adding another. Make sure the stain is completely
dry before touching the cabinets. Once you're sure the cabinets
are fully dry, you can reinstall them in your kitchen. To
give them a shiny new look, replace your old hardware with
new hardware.
No matter what type of kitchen you have, good cabinetry is
a must. Not only can the right cabinets add to the look of
the room, they can give you all the space you need for storing
your kitchen related items. If you ever sell your home, you
can be sure that prospective buyers are going to examine the
kitchen cabinets! With that in mind, take a good look at your
existing cabinetry. Is it all you think it should be? If not,
there are many options available to you. For ideas, check
out some books on the subject or flip through some home improvement
magazines. Even a leisurely trip to your local home improvement
store can be enough to get you thinking about the upgrades
you want to make to your cabinets. Whether you do the work
yourself or hire someone to do it for you, you'll find that
the end result is definitely worth the time and expense!
About The Author
Kadence Buchanan writes articles for http://jwpincorporated.com/.
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