In a recent Q&A column, the San Francisco Chronicle broached the topic of kitchen cabinet refinishing. Titled ?3 brothers, 3 approaches to cabinet refinishing,? the question and answer session shed light on just how many different ways one can go about a seemingly straightforward home improvement task. If you're considering refinishing your kitchen cabinets, you might just learn a thing or two from these ?different as day and night? siblings. Which one do you see yourself in? The answer may make your cabinetry refinishing a more enjoyable task.
First up there is Bryan. He ?wants to get it done fast. He sets a schedule, and [that] schedule is met, sometimes at the expense of some of the details.? If you're like Bryan, you're not going to want to waste time filling in the grain texture of your kitchen cabinets prior to painting them. You're much more likely to opt instead for a paint-wipe look, which is just what Bryan did. ?He did a three-coat job: a primer coat, a split coat and a finish coat. He did the job with a brush, which is OK if the grain is going to show. He did not glaze the edges.?
Then there's Bill, the artist. Given his artistic talents, it's not surprising that his ?cabinets are painted and the surface is smooth. He [also] decided to replace the door and drawer fronts for a new look.? In addition, ?Bill's cabinets are sprayed. This application produces a smooth finish. He used an acrylic epoxy as a finish,? steering away from oil-based paint because of its tendency to yellow over time. From the outside, Bill's kitchen cabinets ?look brand new.?
Finally, there's Kevin, who ?built the kitchen cabinets in his house in place, stick by stick, including the cabinet doors and drawers, 15 years ago.? His finances at the time, however, prevented him from adding the high-quality finishing touches that would give his cabinetry that professional look. ?New hardware is required and the cabinets need a repaint. When repainting, he'?ll do a thorough cleaning, a good sanding, and two coats of an acrylic epoxy finish.?
Whether your approach to kitchen cabinet refinishing mirrors that of Bryan, Bill, or Kevin, a leading manufacturer of kitchen cabinets can set you on the right path to the cabinetry of your dreams. Some considerations:
? White cabinets complement the stainless steel finish that is so popular with today's appliances.
? A high-gloss finish adds stylish detail to complete your kitchen's look.
? Rich colors like burgundy provide a warm, traditional, timeless, and welcoming look.
? Natural wood finishes lend a rustic touch.
? White gloss puts some shine in your kitchen and makes a stunning statement.
And what if your cabinets need a complete overhaul or replacement? Ready-to-assemble or assembled cabinets that combine high quality with affordable prices may be the answer to your dilemma. Visit your local home improvement center and look for a cabinet line that offers lifetime warranties, retails at popular prices, and can be assembled quickly, sometimes in just five or six minutes.
At first glance, kitchen cabinets may all seem the same. People rarely stop to think about what else cabinets consist of, when in fact the most important part of the cabinet itself is behind the facade. The structure to which the doors are attached is the main component of kitchen cabinets. Without a strong support structure, cabinets would be nothing more than decoration.
There are two primary structures for cabinets, framed and frameless construction. Each style creates a unique appearance for the cabinets and requires very different methods of fastening the structure of the cabinet.
Framed Construction: It consists of a front frame with rails and stiles around the cabinet opening. The door is attached to this frame. They are easier to install compared to frameless cabinets. Glue, staples and dowel and screw construction are typically used in the construction of framed cabinets. New versions of the framed cabinet, referred to as RTA cabinets, are assembled with a cam lock assembly.
Frameless Construction: This particular style is also referred to as European-style cabinets. It consists of a box without a front frame. This makes for a more contemporary style. Also, there are no rails or stiles blocking the way so access is made easy. Special hardware fittings are used to attach the door and pin and dowel is used in the construction.
Aside from the outside frame, the actual box undergoes its own construction. During its construction, special attention must be given to the kitchens frequent moisture changes. Due to these changes in moisture levels, the box must be made from a material that can adjust well. It is rarely made from solid wood because wood tends to warp under such exposure. Instead, it is typically made from plywood, particleboard or furniture-grade flakeboard, or medium density fiberboard. Even with custom made cabinets, very few cabinet makers will use solid wood except for the face frame. Each of the materials mentioned previously will have their own characteristics when they come in contact with water. Plywood will be the best option when looking for durability.
Floating panels are another feature created to allow for humidity. The term ?floating? is used to describe this type of panel because it literally floats between wooden grooves instead of being glued down. This allows the panel to move freely and adjust to the moisture changes frequently received in the kitchen.
While man-made or synthetic materials are commonly used for the cabinet box, the doors, and the frame in the case of framed cabinets, are primarily made of solid wood. The warp factor can be resolved by using multiple strips of the wood in a variety of sizes. This gives the door more flexibility under humid conditions.
Although there are often several different materials used in the construction of kitchen cabinets, much can be done to create a uniform look. For a consistent look, a veneer can be added to the sides of the box to match the door and the same finish can be applied to both. Unless, however, a more contrasted look is desired in which you can use two different tones.
Both Carmen Fontana & Jason Delmar are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Carmen Fontana has sinced written about articles on various topics from Kitchen Remodeling Ideas, Kitchen Home Improvement and self improvement and motivation. Carmen Fontana is a Web Services Manger for Western Reserve Internet Services. You can start planning your kitchen remodel using 's online. Carmen Fontana's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.