Dressed and Distressed: Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Renovators Place Columnist
Oct 08, 2009

You've decided you're going to keep your kitchen cabinets. They have structural integrity, and there's no need to go through a major kitchen renovation when the builder did it right the first time. So what's the catch? While those cabinets are solid, they ain't pretty.

You're in the market for kitchen cabinet refacing and the fun of watching your ho-hum kitchen become a stylish addition to your home's decor--and the change comes without the headache of cabinet replacing.

Cabinet Refacing: Veneers, Paints, Stains, and Au Natural
Wood veneers are a popular choice in kitchen cabinet refacing. These thin panels can be cut to virtually any specification from the wood species of your choice. Aside from veneer options, paints and stains can also do the job. Tighter grained woods tend to fare better with paint whereas stains can look lovely on a more textured wood surface. If you're happy with the natural wood, consider leaving it unfinished--but don't forget the protective transparent topcoat.

Mix n' Match: Stain & Glaze or Paint & Glaze
If your kitchen cabinet faces have a pattern or any natural imperfections, a stain and glaze or paint and glaze combo can create dramatic contrast. The cabinets are painted or stained before the glaze is applied and wiped off to remain in any depressions.

Don't Stress over Distressed Cabinet Refacing Options
Do you buy blue jeans with the broken-in look? Even if your clothing tastes won't go there, you might consider the distressed look for your kitchen cabinet refacing project. Distressing is a process by which your cabinet face is given an aged or antique look through use of crackle or rub-thru finishes or an array of tooled markings that mimic everything from dents and scratches to wormholes. 

Source:
Cabinetry

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