How long can refaced cabs be expected to
RichBeckman
| Posted in General Discussion on
…last?
I’ve read several threads in the archives about refacing cabs. I get the impression that this is not a procedure with an expected long life.
If it is done correctly, proper prep, contact cement, etc., how long can one expect it to last?
I have a church looking to redo the cabs in the kitchen. But I’m beginning to think that it would make more sense to simply replace the doors and drawer fronts in a finish that goes with the cabs. Updated and will last as long as they want it to.
Also, the guy at the lumberyard says the refacing of cabs he has been involved with was done not with veneer, but with 1x material…essentially putting a new face frame on top of the old.
Anyone ever hear of this?
Thanks.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Replies
Rich, when I worked for a cabinet shop years ago, we would reface cabs. using 1/4" thick "veneer" that was glued & pinned to the face frames. Never saw an issue with the overlay pulling off.
Rich, Fastcap makes a real wood or plastic peel and stick overlay. I have used it to repair/reface a couple cabs. You trim with a sharp knife of a "veneer trimmer". It has held up.
Give them a call, ask them to send a sample and try it out. New drawer fronts and doors would effectively make the thing look good. However, all the drawer hardware, shelves etc would still be the same. Not a true remodel or upgrade.
You'll also have to be careful veneering anything to a poor finish on a cab.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Calvin,I saw a link you posted to FastCap before and I checked it out, but I only found material for banding edges. I didn't see anything that was wide enough to veneer the face frames on cabinets...maybe three inches."You'll also have to be careful veneering anything to a poor finish on a cab."Yeah, I understand that a lot of prep is indicated.Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
Rich, you can order any width (I believe) up to 6" wide. Give 'em a call. Erin is not there anymore, but drop her name.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
OK, I'll give 'em a call.But you never answered my question. How long do you figure it will hold up?This is a church. Not a home that is likely to be sold in the next ten years. So I wonder if the veneer is not just setting up for a mess down the road in ten or fifteen years.Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.
I wish I could answer your question about Fastcap's product. I used it first a couple yrs ago. That's still stuck.
As to other veneers holding up. A kitchen I faced with laminate has held up and that is maybe 17 yrs old.
I can count on one hand the number of veneer jobs I've done on kitchen / bath cabs. So, as smitty so aptly put it, whada I know?Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
So I wonder if the veneer is not just setting up for a mess down the road in ten or fifteen years.
Church kitchen? No matter what you do it's gonna get beat up in that time. If you're worried about the contact failing (I wouldn't, with a good substrate), use a thicker veneer and yellow glue if you have bare wood.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I'm typing at a plastic-laminate (Formica¯) veneered computer desk that's about 25 or 30 years old. One edge band got dinged hard on the corner and peeled off quite a number of years ago and I stuck it back in place with Scotch¯ tape. Never did get around to fixing it, LOL. But the rest of the laminate is solid.
So why would a re-facing job be less durable? Issues with bonding to the substrate, I guess. Which goes back again to what you said about prep. If you get everything off and are working on nekkid wood or MDF, a decent contact cement job ought to last.
But is it worth all the time it'll cost to prep it that well?
I don't think so, personally. Probably cheaper to build new doors and end panels out of solid wood. Would that work for you?
Just my two cents worth....
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.