Hi everyone. I’m just a weekend warrior who is at the beginning of considering a renovation of my kitchen. I live in an early 70’s house that, overall, was well built according to standards back then by a premium builder. The kitchen is large and functional, but is somewhat dated looking. All new, normal (i.e., not subzero or viking, etc), quality appliances less than one year old with solid, all wood, custom built cabinets that were built in place (stick built?) by a custom master cabinetmaker who worked back then (met and spoke with him – what a house he has!).
Except for one area over the stove where I want to upgrade the exhaust range hood and re-locate the hood to have it centered over the new stove, I can’t see a good reason to gut the cabinets in order to replace them with new cabinets other than to improve their outward appearance. So, I’d like to explore having a new surface applied to their outside surfaces and have new drawers, drawer fronts, doors and hardware installed, along with a new corian countertop and new sink & fittings, backsplash, etc.
Before I speak with contractors, can anyone recommend a good reference book for me to investigate in order to learn the methods and success/shortcomings of this process? Specifically, I’m looking to learn whether I can have the veneer or laminate applied successfully to built in cabinets mounted on the walls. Can’t have them taken down without dismantling them into individual boards which achieves nothing. Will probably have a new series of cabinets installed along one other wall to match the new covering/new cabinets in the original part of the kitchen.
Thanks for any advice and referrals.
John
Replies
You can, and it is fairly common to do so. Several companies exist which reface existing cabinets. In a nutshell, doors come off, all flat faces get veneered, new doors go on. If you're comfy with veneering, have at it. It does take some tools the average "weekend warrior" probably doesn't have around. I know two guys locally who do this for a living and average about 10K per kitchen, so would think there's money saved in DIY, if the results are acceptable. Rocklers (catalog place) sells some cabinet refacing products and you can order doors through them, though they are certainly not the only resource. Any local cabinet shop ought to be able to produce the doors & drawer fronts for you. I think you're on the right track though. Education before sweat.
Griff,
You say these are “all solid wood”. This sets up a huge red flag for me if indeed they are as you’ve now got an expansion and contraction situation on your hands, which will far exceed the movement in hardwood-faced plywood cabinets. If they’re solid wood, I wouldn’t be putting any laminate over them. The wood will move……the laminate won’t…..and you’ve paid handsomely for a big problem.
Wood veneer is a possibility on solid wood cabinet sides if the grain is oriented the same as the grain on the cabinet, but you’ve got a finish in the way to good adhesion.
Be certain you know what you’ve got before you try to decide what’s an option and what isn’t.
Get a warranty on the job.........minimum five years. Anyone who knows what they're doing won't have any reservations whatsoever about giving you one. Get it in writing is my advice.