They’re opened and closed multiple times a day, and just like any frequently used item, they are prone to a few hiccups. Over time, their alignment may falter, they may not close properly, or they may even overlap with neighboring doors. 

These are common issues that, thankfully, can be fixed with a bit of know-how. This detailed guide will walk you through the process of how to adjust cabinet doors effectively, answering common questions, and diving deep into the nuances of adjusting cabinet door hinges. 

So whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a homeowner looking for a quick fix, this guide is tailor-made for you.

Understanding Common Cabinet Door Issues

Before diving into the specifics of adjusting cabinet doors, it’s crucial to understand the common issues that might arise:

1. Misalignment – Doors may not hang evenly or appear crooked.

2. Won’t Stay Shut – Some cabinet doors refuse to stay closed, popping open after you shut them.

3. Doors Overlapping – Sometimes, cabinet doors overlap each other when closed.

Each issue requires a specific approach. We’ll address each one and provide actionable solutions to keep your cabinet doors working properly.

How to Fix a Misaligned Cabinet Door

A misaligned door is one of the most common challenges homeowners face. The gap between the doors might be uneven, or the doors might not sit flush with the cabinet box.

1. Examine the Hinges – Check if the hinge screws are loose. If they are, tighten them using a screwdriver. For doors that hang crooked, adjusting the hinge screws will help align the door properly.

2. Use Adjustment Screws – Modern cabinet hinges come with adjustment screws that allow for minor tweaks. Turn these screws slightly to move the door up or down, left or right, or in and out.

3. Check the Door’s Position – After making adjustments, open and close the door to see if it sits correctly. Adjust as necessary until the door is properly aligned.

Adjusting Cabinet Door Hinges for a Secure Fit

Adjusting kitchen cabinet door hinges is the key to ensuring your cabinet doors close properly and stay closed. Here’s how:

1. Inspect the Hinges – Look for any signs of wear and tear. If the hinges are rusty, bent, or damaged, consider replacing them. Pay special attention to the edge of the door.

2. Use the Adjustment Screws – Adjust the screws on the hinge to make the door move closer or further from the cabinet, up or down, or left or right. Make sure they are in the correct position before you tighten the screws. This will help ensure the door closes properly.

3. Test the Door – After making adjustments, always test the door multiple times to ensure it’s working as it should. It should be level on top and bottom, and open and close flawlessly.

How to Adjust the Gap on a Cabinet Door

Over time, the gap between cabinet doors might become uneven due to various reasons. Adjusting this gap ensures a seamless look and functionality.

1. Check the Hinges – Often, the hinges are the culprits behind uneven gaps. Tighten or loosen the screws to adjust the door’s position.

2. Use Shims – For persistent gaps, consider using thin shims or washers behind the hinge plates. This can help adjust the door’s position and correct the gap.

How to Fix a Cabinet Door That Won’t Stay Shut

If your cabinet door keeps swinging open, the solutions are often simple:

1. Adjust the Hinge Screws – Sometimes, a slight adjustment to the hinge screws will increase the tension, helping the door stay shut.

2. Replace Worn-out Hinges – If hinge adjustments don’t work, the hinge might be worn out. Consider replacing it. Many modern cabinet hinges, especially soft-close types, have mechanisms that ensure doors stay closed. 

Key Takeaways: Ensure Your Cabinet Doors Function Flawlessly

Regular Inspection – Consistency is the foundation of any maintenance task. By checking your cabinet doors and hinges regularly, you can spot minor issues before they escalate. This proactive approach saves time and reduces the need for major adjustments down the road.

Adjustment is Key – While it might sound daunting, most problems you encounter with cabinet doors are due to misalignment and can be rectified with simple hinge adjustments. Understanding and making these tweaks can lead to a smoother functioning kitchen and fewer frustrations.

Quality Hinges Matter – The longevity and proper function of your cabinet doors significantly depend on the hinges you choose. Investing in high-quality cabinet hinges not only provides a seamless movement but also ensures fewer adjustments and repairs in the long run. Remember, quality components lead to lasting results.

Explore Our Range of Cabinet Hinges

To ensure the flawless operation of your cabinet doors, we recommend exploring our range of cabinet hinges. They’re designed for durability and ease of adjustment, ensuring your cabinet doors always function at their best.

Have further questions or need more detailed guidance on adjusting your cabinet doors? Don’t hesitate to reach out. Our experts are here to assist you in ensuring your cabinet doors look and function perfectly.

The post How to Adjust Cabinet Doors appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

Not only does it provide a fresh and modern look, but it also can be a more economical option than a full replacement. If you’re wondering about kitchen cabinet refacing, its cost, and how to go about it, this blog post will guide you through the process.

What is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing, also popularly referred to as cabinet resurfacing, is a transformative process tailored to rejuvenate and enhance the aesthetics of your kitchen without the complexities of a complete overhaul. 

At the heart of this method lies the principle of utilizing the existing cabinet boxes while seamlessly updating their exterior appearance. This entails a meticulous procedure where the old cabinet doors and drawer fronts are replaced with new ones, complemented by the application of a carefully chosen veneer to the outer structures of the cabinets. 

Not only does this process ensure a more contemporary and polished look, but it also allows homeowners to embody the latest design trends without the need to invest in entirely new cabinetry. By refacing, you’re essentially preserving the structural integrity of your cabinets and simply revamping their surface, much like how a facelift revitalizes one’s appearance. 

It’s a sustainable, economical, and efficient approach to kitchen remodeling, aligning both aesthetics and functionality.

Can I Reface My Own Cabinets?

Absolutely! With the right tools, patience, and a bit of guidance, DIY enthusiasts can take on the task of refacing cabinets. Let’s delve into the steps involved:

1. Assessment and Preparation: Begin by inspecting the existing cabinet boxes. Ensure they are structurally sound. Clean the surfaces and remove any old paint or varnish.

2. Select Your Materials: This is where product categories like cabinet doors come into play. Decide whether you want custom cabinets or prefabricated ones. Choosing solid wood can lend a timeless appeal and durability.

3. Remove Old Doors and Hardware: Detach the existing doors, hinges, handles, and knobs. Keep the hardware if you plan on reusing them.

4. Apply Veneer: Measure the surface areas of the cabinet boxes and cut veneer sheets accordingly. Adhere using a strong adhesive, ensuring no bubbles or wrinkles appear.

5. Attach New Cabinet Doors: Using your selected cabinet doors, align them perfectly with the cabinet boxes and attach using the hardware.

6. Finishing Touches: Consider painting or staining the newly refaced kitchen cabinets to add an extra layer of protection and elegance.

Is It Cheaper to Reface or Replace Cabinets?

The decision between refacing and replacing kitchen cabinets often boils down to cost considerations. More often than not, refacing kitchen cabinets emerges as the significantly more economical option compared to full-scale replacements. Here’s an in-depth look into the financial breakdown:

Material Costs: Cabinet refacing primarily focuses on the exterior enhancements, meaning you are majorly investing in new doors, drawer fronts, and in many cases, veneer. In contrast, total cabinet replacement means purchasing entire new cabinet structures, inclusive of both the interiors and exteriors, which substantially drives up material expenses.

Labor Costs: Labor plays a pivotal role in the cost equation. If you’re inclined towards a DIY approach, refacing becomes an avenue to realize substantial savings. But even if you’re leaning towards hiring professionals, refacing generally requires fewer man-hours. This is because the process circumvents the time-consuming steps of completely tearing out existing cabinets and installing new ones from scratch, which can often entail addressing unforeseen challenges like plumbing or wiring adjustments.

Minimal Disruptions: Anyone who’s undertaken a home renovation project knows that it’s not just the direct costs that matter; it’s the associated inconveniences too. Kitchen remodeling, in particular, can throw household routines into disarray. With refacing, the kitchen remains largely functional, mitigating the need for alternative cooking or dining arrangements. This streamlined process translates to fewer days of disrupted meals, less takeout, and a reduced need for temporary storage solutions — all of which contribute to indirect savings.

While the allure of brand-new cabinets might be tempting, it’s essential to weigh the tangible and intangible costs. Refacing presents a balanced solution, offering a refreshed aesthetic without the hefty price tag and extended timeline that complete replacements often demand.

Advantages of Cabinet Refacing

Cost-Effective: Cabinet refacing stands out as a budget-conscious choice for homeowners. Not only are the material costs generally lower than a full cabinet replacement, but you also avoid the hidden expenses that come with comprehensive renovations, such as potential plumbing or electrical adjustments. The financial savings are tangible, especially for those looking to enhance their kitchen’s appearance without a hefty price tag.

Eco-Friendly: In our ever-growing environmentally conscious world, cabinet refacing shines as a sustainable option. By opting to reface, you’re essentially reusing the bulk of your existing cabinetry, significantly reducing the waste that might otherwise end up in landfills. It’s a choice that not only benefits your home but also our planet.

Time-Saving: Kitchen renovations can be notorious for their extended timelines, often disrupting daily routines. However, the process of refacing kitchen cabinets is notably swifter. Without the need to dismantle and reinstall complete cabinetry sets, homeowners can anticipate a quicker turnaround, restoring their kitchen’s functionality in a shorter span.

Personalization: Cabinet refacing offers a unique opportunity for homeowners to infuse their personal style into their kitchens. The plethora of design options, from contemporary sleek finishes to rustic wood textures, ensures that each kitchen can be tailored to individual tastes. Plus, with the ability to choose specific materials and colors, the end result is a kitchen that genuinely reflects the homeowner’s vision and aesthetic preferences.

In the realm of kitchen remodeling, cabinet refacing emerges prominently, casting a promising light for homeowners who are on the hunt for a blend of affordability and efficacy in their renovation endeavors. This method not only honors the foundational integrity and structure of your existing cabinetry, but it also paves the way for a dramatic transformation, encapsulating both form and function.

Remember, embarking on a refacing journey, whether as a hands-on DIY enthusiast or by enlisting the expertise of seasoned professionals, demands a conscious selection of materials. The resilience of solid wood doors, the finesse of high-quality veneers, and the craftsmanship behind them play pivotal roles in the end result.

When your kitchen starts beckoning for a rejuvenating touch, don’t immediately leap to exhaustive overhauls. Instead, let cabinet refacing be your first port of call. It harmoniously weaves budget-conscious choices with aesthetic appeal, exuding an undeniable brilliance in the heart of your home. Need some inspiration? Check out our Get Inspired pages!

The post How to Reface Cabinets: A Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

Laminate is a terrific option for cabinets, especially in the kitchen. The doors get high amounts of usage on a daily basis. Laminate cabinets tend to be lighter, which puts less wear and tear on the hardware. And modern laminate surfaces are hardy, tough, and durable–plus they look great. One of the downsides to them, however, is they are much trickier to paint than wood. However, this does not mean that painting laminate cabinets is an impossible task! It does mean that you will have to be much more precise and careful. You’ll need to choose the right tools for the job, take your time, be thorough, and plan well. Most importantly: make sure you’re using the best paint for laminate cabinets.

Benefits of Painting Laminate Cabinets

The major upshots of painting laminate cabinets are looks and longevity. A coat of premium quality paint on laminate cabinets will last anywhere from 8 to 15 years, depending on usage. Considering the relatively low cost of this project, that is a huge payoff! With the right preparation and proper materials, you can transform laminate cabinets. They will be an eye-catching staple of the room for years to come. If you adequately prepare your cabinets for painting first, you will find that they will hold their quality exceptionally well. A decade later, many often report that they still look as good as the day the paint dried.

We’re going to try to help you achieve that experience in this article.

Are Your Cabinets Wood or Laminate?

First things first, you’ll want to know the material you’re going to be painting, of course! So how do we distinguish between wood cabinets and laminate cabinets? It’s not as easy as one might think! Many cabinet manufacturers (like us!) specialize in creating a realistic solid wood appearance on multiple surfaces. However, there are some giveaways that even the untrained eye should be able to spot (tip of the hat to Busby Cabinets on these):

• Investigate the edges of the cabinet doors. Solid wood has visible end grain on the tops and bottoms of the doors. On laminate, you’ll be able to see a more unnatural, longitudinal wood grain. That’s because of the edging process and material that laminate uses. (Of course, if you are buying brand-new cabinets, even the most convincing laminate cabinets won’t fool you!)

• Check out the corners: Laminated cabinets don’t cut quite the same way wood does, especially around cabinet corners. A shaped or rounded corner is usually a telltale sign of a wood cabinet. A sharp, squared corner is likely an indicator that you have laminate cabinets.

• Gauge the gouges. A nick, chip, or gouge in a wood cabinet will reveal…more solid, unpainted wood underneath the surface. In laminated cabinets, you’ll be able to see the particle board or plywood at the core underneath the laminate finish.

Tools and the Best Paint for Laminate Cabinets

Unlike wood, laminate cabinets are not porous, which makes the surface of these cabinets difficult to paint without thorough sanding. There is a shortcut, if you are feeling so inclined. But for the most part, you’ll want to sand and clean your laminate surfaces well before painting. You’ll need:

• 180-grit and high-grit (300+) sandpaper
• High-quality primer
• High-quality paint. Choose latex or oil-based depending on the primer you chose, as choosing the wrong paint will result in disaster! Deco Art Satin Enamels is a popular paint for cabinets.
• Foam roller or sponge to apply primer and paint
• Proper ventilation (always consider a mask when working with paint)
• Small nylon paint brushes for cornering and smaller details
• Painter’s tape

You’ll also want to gather a few household items you likely have on hand. Plastic baggies and Post-It Notes, as well as a Sharpie, will help for organizing and labeling your hardware and cabinets. Remember also that you’ll be sanding down laminate, not wood. It often has gashes or dings that may require you to replace the cabinet. You can putty and sand wood, but should probably replace laminate if the gouges are too deep.

Can You Paint Without Sanding?

The short answer to this question is, in most cases, going to be no. Laminate is a non-porous surface. That makes it difficult for paint and primer to bond to with the exception of the tackiest stuff out there. Some people absolutely loathe sanding, and will go to great lengths to avoid it. That is why the method of using chalky finish paint might be attractive. But really, the best results will come from pre-sanding your laminate cabinets thoroughly to prepare them for painting. By scuffing up the surface of the laminate, you give the primer a better, more adhesive surface to bond to. That in turn will ensure more complete, professional-looking coverage of your final paint job.

The sanding stage is also a good time to investigate the state of your laminate. Remember, laminate cabinets are essentially plywood or particle board, surrounded by a higher-quality finishing layer. That layer’s bond to the cabinet itself may come loose over time, especially around screw holes and hinge points. If your laminate is coming up, use wood glue to reinforce the bond between your laminate and the cabinet. Then let the glue set and dry, and then begin the sanding process.

All that said: Some people truly do not want to sand their cabinets. We strongly recommend that you complete the sanding process thoroughly when painting laminate cabinets. However, we will also include some recommendations for paint choices if you decide to try your luck with a non-sanding approach. Fair warning: Many who go this route find that the longevity of their paint job is not what they expected. They need to do frequent touch-ups. If longevity is what you are after, then doing the sanding and priming first will be the way to go.

What Not to Do

DON’T HURRY! Before you start, commit to taking your time. Painting laminate cabinets is not a job you can rush through! It is in your best interests to thoroughly clean your cabinets and maintain that cleanliness all the way through installation. This is especially true if you are painting kitchen cabinets, which may have years of exposure to grease and grime. Be sure to wipe away all the gunk and residue that may be on your cabinets (Bob Vila’s classic recommendation is to use trisodium phosphate), then rinse with clean water and immediately and completely dry the cabinets.

DON’T OVERLOOK PAINT AND PRIMER! Laminate is not going to work with the same primers and paints that wood does. You should not treat your laminate cabinets as if they are wood. Choose the proper items for the job; the best paint for laminate cabinets will be highly adhesive. Sanding will help create a rougher surface that will bond better. You’ll still want to choose a strong-enough bonding primer to stick to laminate, plus oil- or latex-based paint (after curing). There are laminate-specific paints, too; specifically, chalky finish paints can go on first instead of sanding and priming, and will bond to laminate very well. You’d then sand that down and finish with paint of your choosing.

DON’T USE A BRUSH! That’s right–again, remember that you aren’t painting onto wood grain. Laminate won’t absorb the brushstrokes the same way wood would. Even the best nylon brushes will leave brushstrokes! We’d much rather see you go with a roller, paint pad, or even a sprayer. This will help you avoid streaks when painting laminate cabinets.

How to Paint Laminate Cabinets

1. Remove the cabinet doors and hardware. When you do this, either use Post-It notes or some other temporary labeling method. This will help make sure that your doors and hinges all go back where you got them from. Ensure that everything fits properly when you go back to reassemble. Some are fond of using separate containers, like plastic baggies, to keep all hardware in the proper place. Whatever works best for you to stay organized, just don’t lose track of which doors and hinges go where.
2. Clean and prepare the cabinet doors. Remove any debris or dust from your cabinet doors. Then, get them ready for sanding, sealing, and painting. Clean and dry the doors using a lint-free rag or towel to dry them. Then, begin to either sand or apply chalky finish paint, depending on your preference:
   1. Sanding: Using a rougher grit sandpaper, sand the laminate so it will better bond to the primer you use. Be careful not to over-sand the area, since laminate surfaces are typically very thin. They are durable and will hold up to minor wear in your kitchen. However, it is very easy to sand down too much of the surface and ruin it. Once you have sanded your laminate cabinets, use a clean, dry cloth to remove debris.
   2. Chalky finish paint: This is for the sanding-haters. If you really want to avoid sanding, you can lay on a chalky-finish paint that will adhere well to laminate. It’s quite thick, so be sure to apply lightly and carefully to avoid it pooling. Pay attention to areas where your cabinet might have decorative edges or recesses. Once your chalky paint later has dried completely, sand it down with fine-grit sandpaper. You want to achieve a smooth finish for painting over.
3. Paint. Use the foam roller, sprayer, or paint pad. Smoothly and evenly apply the proper paint depending on if you primed or pre-painted your laminate cabinets. You should strongly consider sanding after your first layer of paint dries. This will help remove minor embellishments or signs of pooling in the first coat. Once all coats have dried, you still need to handle your cabinets carefully! Most indoor paints take up to 30 days to fully cure.
4. Reinstall your cabinets. This is where you’ll thank yourself for organizing your hardware and labeling your cabinets! Carefully reattach your cabinet doors using the original hardware, or new hinges and screws if you decided to replace them. Take great care not to scratch, scuff or otherwise damage the great new paint job you just applied!

Job Complete!

Once you have finished these steps, take a moment to admire your finished product! An outstanding-looking, chip-resistant finish that will beautify your kitchen for years!

The post Painting Laminate Cabinets: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

If you cook a lot or even a little, you’re probably familiar with that layer of grease that tends to build on the cabinets around the stove and those greasy fingerprints that end up all over and all around the handles and pull grooves. Good News! You can clean stubborn, greasy cabinet soils without stripping your wood or diminishing the overall lifespan of the cabinets and hardware. In fact, you probably have everything you need already under your sink or in your utility room.

How to Clean Wood Cabinets

Just like for many of your other household cleaning problems, it’s vinegar and water to the rescue. Mix a half-and-half solution in a spray bottle, and be sure to use warm or hot water. It helps to break up the older layers of grime. When you spray your cabinets, don’t soak them. A gentle mist should be plenty for the main panels and body. Leave the mixture sitting for just a few minutes to soften the soils, then wipe clean with a soft cloth.

Has it been a while since the last cleaning of your cabinets? Try wiping them off with a wet cloth before spraying the mixture. That will remove any loose dirt and grime that might weaken the effects. Don’t forget to wipe down the hardware as well. Handles and pull grooves usually accumulate more fingerprints, oils, and grease than the rest of the cabinets. Use a clean, wet cloth to remove any remaining vinegar, then make sure the cabinets are completely dry.

How to Remove Grease and Grime Buildup

In most kitchens, that technique will work for light, daily cleaning, but it won’t do much for your old, caked-on greasy areas around the stove or the spots where little hands leave little marks every day. If you’re struggling with these heavier soils, go ahead and do the vinegar and water wipe down, but before you rinse and dry, let’s address these problem areas.
For general greasiness around the stove, add a few drops of grease-busting dish detergent or specialized grease cleaner to your vinegar solution and let sit for several minutes. Be sure to get in and around the hardware and pull grooves too. If you’re having trouble reaching into crevices with a cloth, try using a cheap toothbrush or cotton buds. Older grease spots might require a bit of elbow grease.

If you’re still struggling with greasy cabinets, there are a couple of methods you can try to make your solution a little more abrasive (but not too much). Adding salt to the mix and using it directly on the cloth can help cut through layers of dried-on grease without being hard on your real wood cabinets. Alternatively, you can create a separate solution of warm water and baking soda with a touch of lemon juice. This solution is more of a chemical abrasive than a physical abrasive. Both mixtures can have a drying effect, so you’ll definitely want to follow with a good rinse, dry, and polish to help rejuvenate the wood.

How to Polish Wood

The most effective way to polish your wood cabinets is to pick up a polish from the store that’s specifically made for that type of wooden cabinetry. If you prefer to use more natural or homemade products, you can typically use linseed oil or jojoba oil. Neither of these is food and will not expire or spoil. Apply the mixture with a soft sponge or cloth and let sit for a few minutes before buffing away with a dry cloth. This step will help prevent any damage from the cleaning and will protect your wood cabinets from future soiling and moisture damage. You should re-polish your cabinetry any time you apply water, soap, or physical cleaning methods.

What Not to Use

The first thing most people do when they need advice on how to clean greasy kitchen buildup from wood cabinets get online and search. However, you’ll probably find some solutions with potentially serious downsides. One popular suggestion for natural wood cabinet polishing is to use the olive oil from your pantry. Most instructions say to apply and buff, same as you would do with a regular polish. The downside is that olive oil does eventually spoil and will leave a funky smell all over your kitchen.

Another popular suggestion is to add lemon juice to your polish. Again, lemon juice will eventually spoil and smell, so unless you’re deep-cleaning your cabinets every couple of days, it’s not a good idea to apply food as a leave-on step. Also, lemon juice is more abrasive than many people realize. If you were to add too much or leave it on too long, you might find yourself with slightly bleached and dried-out cabinetry. That is definitely not the purpose of a polish. Lemon juice in your cleaning mixture is typically safe because you’re not leaving it on for more than a few minutes. If you do use lemon juice in your cleaning phase, be sure to rinse well and follow with a polish.

Scrubbing Tools

During cleaning, it can be really tempting to grab the steel wool and go to town on those stubborn greasy spots, but this is another big no-no. Real wood cabinets, painted cabinets, metal cabinets, and basically, any type of cabinets can be scratched and damaged from abrasive scrubbers. Salt in your vinegar solution or lemon juice with baking soda is as abrasive as you should get with cabinets. The rest is down to the grease-cutting soap and elbow hard work.

Are you still trying to decide on what type of cabinet door to go with? Check out this post on How To Choose Your Perfect Cabinet Door. In that post, you will find more information on the different options available.

The post Tips for Cleaning Grease Build-Up on Wooden Kitchen Cabinets appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

Taking on a kitchen remodel is a daunting task. All too often, it ends up with the homeowner stuck with a half-done job for an extended period of time or a budget that’s been blown to smithereens and put the family in a difficult position. Even when the timing and the money are right, you have to beware of the dreaded designer’s regret. It’s that one detail that didn’t turn out the way you envisioned and now it eats at you every time you lay eyes on the kitchen. It’s a slightly-too-green beige in your blue color scheme or a corner cabinet that’s just a little bit inconvenient to get into. Fortunately for you, there have been millions of kitchens redone all over the world, and you can learn from their mistakes.

What Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?

A lot of people search the web looking for a ballpark cost to remodel their kitchen and are disappointed to find that most estimates just say “it depends”. That’s because it does. Kitchens come in all different shapes and sizes, and remodels can have any level of material quality, not to mention the variety of remodeling levels there are. You might be giving your kitchen a facelift with updated cabinetry or gutting the whole thing and changing the layout of your living space. All of that will affect the overall cost. The “average” kitchen remodel cost doesn’t help much because averaging will taking into consideration extremely high and extremely low remodels that have nothing to do with the cost of your kitchen. It’s essential to speak to a contractor and get a reliable estimate before jumping in.

Very General Estimates

If we assume you’re doing a “standard” remodel with cabinetry, flooring, counters, hardware, fixtures, appliances, etc., but not gutting the kitchen, your overall costs might look something like this, depending on your location and exact specifications:

Small Kitchen

High-end materials $20,000
Mid-range materials $13,000
Cheap materials $5,000

Medium Kitchen

High-end materials $40,000
Mid-range materials $28,000
Cheap materials $15,000

Large Kitchen

High-end materials $60,000
Mid-range materials $45,000
Cheap materials $30,000

What is The Average Time to Remodel a Kitchen?

This question is a lot like asking how much your kitchen remodel should cost. It depends. A lot depends on factors other than your kitchen and your remodeling plans. Your location and the demand for construction work will have an impact, as well as the quality and availability of your team. This is why it’s so important to shop around and vet your contractor before committing. As far as the kitchen goes, it’s going to depend on the size, the extent of the remodel, the accessibility of your kitchen (will you allow them to work when you’re not home?), and the availability of the materials you’ve chosen. Six to twelve weeks is a fair estimate in most areas, assuming you have a team who will show up and get the work done. Six to eight weeks for a small to medium-sized kitchen and eight to twelve weeks for a medium to large kitchen.

Add 10% to Your Budget

Kitchen remodels go over budget almost every time, and not by a few dollars. In fact, some experts recommend adding 20% to your budget for unexpected overages. Sometimes there are plumbing issues or framing issues that you couldn’t have foreseen, but typically, the budget gets done in by high expectations. Changes to the layout, high-end materials, custom craftsmanship, and unnecessary tech that are added along with way are almost guaranteed to blow your budget.

How to Stick to Your Budget

Start by making a budget. A lot of people start by making a list of everything they want in the new kitchen, but that’s a setup for immediate budget failure. The first thing you should do is decide how much you’re willing to spend. Then, make a bare-bones list of needs. This shouldn’t have more than three or four items. What do you absolutely have to have in the new kitchen? Then make a list of wants and rank them in order. Add your wants to the needs list until you hit 90% of your budget. That’s it. That’s all you get. Go over your list and see where you can lower costs if you want to add another want.

Avoid Designer’s Regret

Two things: don’t commit to an element until you find the option you really love and don’t accept less than what you paid for. Far too often, homeowners and designers pay a contractor for a particular material or design element and receive something similar, but cheaper or more common. If this happens, let your contractor know that it’s not right and get it fixed. This will prevent you from being disappointed with your results down the road.

3 Kitchen Layout Ideas to Keep Your Costs Low

Don’t Change It!

The first layout idea is simple. Leave it alone. Changing your layout gets expensive fast. If there are things you have to move, try to move them with the least amount of layout modification possible, especially walls and appliances. A layout change that seems simple to you might require permits, requiring, plumbing, gas, and more.

Toss the Tech

Ask yourself if you really need your refrigerator to communicate with your microwave. Chances are, it will be just as convenient to work your appliances separately. Even if you do have to sacrifice some convenience, take a look at the price difference for the cutting-edge tech and ask yourself if that little bit of excessive functionality is worth that much money. Hint: probably not.

Don’t Replace Your Cabinets

Cabinets are the number one item people want to update in kitchen remodels, but you don’t have to replace the whole assembly with custom cabinets. Refacing the body of the cabinets with a veneer and upgrading the doors with modern, custom replacements will create the same beautiful and long-lasting results you’re dreaming of while saving you a ton of money.

The post 5 Things to Know Before Starting a Kitchen Remodel appeared first on Fast Cabinet Doors.

Thermofoil doors and drawer fronts are made with 100% flexible vinyl that is molded over medium density fiberboard (MDF) or engineered wood. This results in a finished product that has a smooth, durable surface that resists chipping better than painted surfaces. Unlike wood cabinets, thermofoil cabinets don’t require protective coatings, which makes them lower in maintenance.

No Heat

If exposed to high temperatures, the vinyl from the thermofoil can peel. Heat shields, which are essentially metal strips, between the cabinets and the heat source, can be installed to help protect the cabinets against the heat.

Appliances – when using appliances that give off heat, like toaster ovens, crock pots and deep fryers, do not place then under your thermofoil kitchen cabinets.

When Cooking – When using the oven or stove, always use the overhead fan to help with steam. Open a window or use your exhaust fan to help control steam buildup and moisture.

Cleaning

In addition, when cleaning thermofoil cabinets never use water. Water can dull or mark the finish and if the exposure is extreme, can even warp the cabinet.

Wipe weekly with a dry clean lint-free cotton cloth

Never use a dishcloth to wipe your cabinets, they may contain grease and detergents.

Clean spills, splatters and water spots immediately; prolonged exposure to spills could discolor or stain your cabinet finish.

Stay away from certain cleaners, such as any abrasive cleaner, most solvent based cleaners and harsh chemicals such as sink & toilet bowl cleaners, any cleaner in combination with a brush, cleaners containing ammonia, or baking Soda

Always use a cotton cloth or non-abrasive sponge

Take care when using the self cleaning mode on your oven. Read all directions including how to protect cabinets prior. The high heat generated from self-cleaning cycles of ovens or ranges may discolor thermofoil cabinetry; we recommend using heat shields or opening your doors and drawers fully when using the self-cleaning cycle.

General Care

Exercise caution around areas near the sink and dishwasher that come in contact with moisture, be sure to dry the area as quick as possible.

DO NOT wax thermofoil cabinetry.

To limit the fading effects of UV rays, thermofoil furniture should not be placed in direct sunlight. Blinds, curtains and UV furniture polish are recommended to help protect against UV rays.

If your cabinet doors have a glass insert, use an ammonia free cleaner on the glass, taking care around the frame. Avoid spraying cleaner directly on glass as run off could damage the frame.

To learn more about what thermofoil is and how it differs from wood check out this post. As always, if you need any help or have any questions, please give us a call. Our customer service team is always ready and happy to help.

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