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Can I Reface My Kitchen Cabinets?

Can I Reface My Kitchen Cabinets?

With cabinet refacing, it doesn’t matter how badly outdated or dingy the doors and drawer fronts are. All that matters is that the cabinets and drawer boxes are in sound condition and free of any serious damage. Your cabinets may look good from the outside, but make sure you check the inside for damages too. Here are a few quick steps to check if your cabinets can be refaced:

Steps:

  1. Check inside each cabinet for cracked side panels or loose bottoms. Gently poke around with an awl or pocketknife. If you find soft, spongy areas, it could indicate wood rot or water damage. 
  2. Be sure all upper cabinets are securely fastened to the walls, and to each other.
  3. Check base cabinets for water damage, especially under the sink. The cabinet bottoms should be firm and flat, not warped or sagging. You should replace your cabinets if there is any water damage, rotted wood or pest damage.
  4. Cabinet face frames, if any, must be firmly attached to the cabinets. Small cracks and holes can be filled with wood putty, but face frames that are split must be replaced.
  5. All fixed shelves should be securely attached and not cracked, loose or warped.
  6. Drawers must roll smoothly, open fully and close completely. Remove them from the cabinets and inspect their structural integrity. Drawer bottoms must be secured within the drawer box and not cracked or sagging. If necessary, order new cabinet drawer boxes.
  7. The drawer slides—whether made of metal or wood—must be firmly attached and in good-working order. Check the slides for loose or missing fasteners, and damaged or worn-out parts.
  8. Check for bad odors. With all the things that happen in the kitchen and bathroom, some cabinets can absorb the odors. This leads to your cabinets smelling bad. If your cabinets start smelling you could reinforce the frames to get rid of the odor, but this might not work. 

NOTE: If you are remodeling your kitchen, then you should consider replacing your cabinets. This is especially relevant if you want a new layout.

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