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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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