Do-It-Yourself Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Refacing cabinets is an easy way to give a tired kitchen a much-needed facelift for a fraction of the cost of installing new ones. When refacing, the structure of the cabinets is left intact, and the exposed surfaces are covered with wood veneer or laminate material. If you like working with tools and are detail-oriented and patient, refacing cabinets yourself can be a rewarding home improvement project.

Before you start, take a close look at the existing cabinets. Are the surfaces in good condition? Are the cabinets made with plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF)? Are the internal hardware, tracks, shelves, and sliding mechanisms working?

The answers to these questions should be yes or refacing may not be your best option. If you’re unsure, ask 27EStore for sample cabinet doors and prices for custom cabinets so you can weigh your options.

There are two materials used to reface most cabinet surfaces:

• Maintenance-free laminate (thick rolls of plastic material)
• Wood veneer (thin sheets of wood)

Measure all the exposed surfaces you want to cover and add an inch to each edge. Include face edges of the cabinet frames that will require strips of laminate or veneer. Don’t forget to include the sides of the cabinets, overlays (the area where doors and drawers extend over the face frame opening), and any interior surfaces you want to cover. More material may be required to cover paneled doors than flat doors.

You can use an online calculator to help determine the amount of resurfacing material to order. If the covering you chose has a pattern or grain that needs to be matched, additional material will be required. You can speak to the manufacturer or supplier for assistance to play it safe.

Rolls of laminate and sheets of veneer come in standard sizes. Keep extra pieces from your project for repairs. Double (and triple) check your measurements before placing the order.

Assemble the tools you need after reading the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Depending on what you choose, you may need a cordless drill or screwdriver, nail gun, caulk gun, laminate slitter or table saw, laminate or paper cutter (to cut strips), veneer installation tool, veneer edge trimmer or sharp utility knife, medium-grit sandpaper, rags, construction adhesive, etc.

Empty the cabinets. Unscrew and remove the drawer and door fronts. Remove hardware, pulls, and knobs. Clean cabinet faces and surfaces. Lightly sand exposed surfaces (this helps the laminate or veneer stick better) and wipe off any dust and debris left from sanding.

Use a table saw or utility knife with a straight edge to cut veneer. A paper cutter or specialized tool is best for laminate. Some materials are peel-and-stick; others require construction glue to adhere to the cabinet surfaces. Check the fit before you pull off the backing or add glue.

Smooth the material with an application tool or a small wood block. Use a sharp razor knife to carefully trim the edges of the covering. If there is a grain or pattern, cut the material in lengthwise strips, one-half inch wider and two inches longer than the area you want to cover. Change the knife blade frequently to keep the cuts clean.

Clean the cabinets and dry them completely. Use a matching stain pen to touch up and conceal any unfinished edges and other imperfections. Screw the refaced door and drawer faces back on the cabinets that are now covered with the refacing material.

Many people opt to upgrade the hardware. However, if you still enjoy the original pulls, knobs, and hinges, it’s time to reattach them.

Refacing cabinets is a quick and easy way to upgrade your space without the mess and expense of remodeling–but it is not a project that everyone can or wants to take on.

27EStore offers European-style custom cabinets and replacement cabinet doors in a wide selection of materials and colors. The quality and customization of our products.