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Should I Update or Replace My Kitchen
Cabinets?
First Step: Assessing Your Update Needs
Updating your kitchen can be easy, and Rockler wants to help make it a fun and pleasurable
experience for you. The vast majority of today's homeowners can update their kitchens with
a few simple procedures such as adding some hinges and hardware, new cabinet doors and
drawer fronts, or by refacing existing cabinetry and casework. So, before you begin, it's
a good idea to decide on the scope and magnitude of the update you want. There's no sense
in doing a complete makeover when a few dollars and a couple of hours can accomplish what
you want. We'll help you through all the steps, from adding new knobs and pulls, to adding
new doors and drawers, to refacing your existing cabinetry.
Replace Your Cabinets or Update Them?
"Functionality" should dictate the form of your kitchen. If you want to make
changes or improvements in the "functionality" of your kitchen space, or change
the location of your cabinetry, then replacing it may be preferable. If you're happy with
the existing layout and workability of your kitchen, updating your current cabinetry and
adding some functional accessories is better. (Don't worry or fret, updating your current
cabinetry can transform your kitchen into a showcase. You can reface your cabinets, for
example, and everyone will believe that you've installed completely new ones!)
Making your own cabinetry is an alternative but it is a major undertaking. Although the
project can be a rewarding experience for the intermediate or advanced woodworker or handy
man or woman (we don't recommend this project for the beginner), it can be disruptive to
family lifestyle. Even the best-planned construction project can obstruct the normal use
of your kitchen for 6 months or more. Testy and unfavorable conditions even for the
tolerant and patient kitchen boss. Buying ready-made or prefabricated cabinetry can be
just as challenging.
Here are some of the benefits to updating your cabinetry vs replacing it:
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Old cabinets are often of
better quality construction than those made by today's standards. (That's unless you make
them yourself, of course.) |
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You can save a substantial
amount by updating your cabinetry. |
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Your existing cabinetry is
already installed, leveled, plumbed, and operational. These can be difficult conditions to
duplicate in the labor-intensive chore of installing new cabinets. |
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Installing new cabinetry will
entail the dismantling of your existing kitchen. That will require that you set up a
temporary kitchen facility in another part of your home. Utilities may need to be shut off
completely. |
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Dismantling existing cabinetry
can cause serious damage to existing fixtures, walls, electrical systems, and plumbing. |
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You can save the hidden costs
of installation, delivery, taxes, et cetera by updating your cabinetry versus installing new. |
Read on for more useful information on these topics:
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Updating Your Cabinetry
With information on Painting, Refacing, or Refinishing Your Cabinetry. |
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New Cabinetry
With information on Buying Ready-Made or Making Your Own Cabinetry. |
Your Safety
 Rockler Woodworking and Hardware cares
about you. Please plan and arrange for your safety. Adequate eye and ear protection,
stable work areas, good lighting, and proper lifting equipment will keep you health and
happy. Don't overload electrical outlets, and call a professional when you need one. It's
better to be healthy, happy, and humble, than it is to spend your weekend in an emergency
room. See a list of Safety Products available from Rockler.
Additional Resources
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The Kitchen Idea Book
Planning the kitchen of your new house or a remodel of your old kitchen? |
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Refacing
Cabinets
Your only source for making an old kitchen into a stunning new one by refacing the
cabinets with real wood or plastic laminate. |
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Building
Traditional Kitchen Cabinets
Learn how to build premium cabinetry of superior quality in your own shop. |
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Making
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen designer and cabinetmaker Paul Levine shows how to make Eurostyle kitchen cabinets
that are better. Available in Book and Video! |
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Build
Your Own Kitchen Cabinets
Whether you are remodeling or starting from scratch, this book is an indispensable guide
for planning, building and installing kitchen cabinets. |
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Bookshelves
and Cabinets
The easy-to-follow directions will help you build dozens of adaptable practical yet
attractive storage projects for the home and office. |
Click here to go back to Introduction.
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