How Often Should Kitchen Cabinets be Replaced?

The state of your kitchen cabinets can make the difference between having an upscale, modern kitchen and one that is in desperate need of being updated. 

Often, well-made cabinets can last up to 50-years and are one of the longest-lasting components in your kitchen and perhaps the entire house. Those looking to take a short cut often decide just to paint or refinish their cabinets themselves, only to wish they had them replace about halfway through the process. Resurfacing your cabinetry can be an arduous task and more expensive than you may have thought.

Kitchen cabinets must be durable to be effective and long-lasting. On an average day, they are subject to steam, water, and other elements in your kitchen. that your cabinets are exposed to daily. As a result, you may find that kitchen cabinetry needs to be replaced more frequently than in other areas of the home.

How to Tell if Your Cabinets Need to be Replaced:

Sometimes it is very obvious that you need new cabinetry, and this can be a result of many problems, such as missing hardware, drawers, and doors not shutting properly. However, there are many other instances where you will need to replace it, but the signs won’t be immediately apparent, in which case you will need to know what to look for. Cabinets that still close well, may still show signs of wear that can downgrade the look of your kitchen. Replacing new appliances is great, but they will not give you the “wow” factor you are looking for unless your cabinetry looks great and is in good condition.

Some factors you should look for before you replace your cabinetry include:

Signs of water damage: Swollen and discolored cabinetry can be signs of water damage. Other signs to look for include:

• Warped wood
• Cabinets bubbling up inside or out
• External faces losing their laminate
• Discoloration

Not functioning well: If your cabinets are not working well, you may want to consider replacing them. Even if they still look good, if they are not working well, they are not functional. 

• Cabinets that make it difficult to find items that are deep in the back of the cabinet.
• Doors/drawers cannot be opened at the same time
• Drawers that get stuck, make noise, or fall out

Moldy cabinets: Mold can grow on a wide range of different surfaces, even your cabinetry. If you catch it as soon as the mold starts before it starts to spread, you may be able to solve the mold problem before it gets too back. But you absolutely must get rid of the mold as it can be dangerous to your health. 

What to Consider When Choosing New Cabinets:

Cabinets are a key component of your kitchen. They can increase the functionality of your kitchen and make cooking and storage much more efficient. There are so many different styles to choose from, and everything is typically dependent on the cost, the design, and functionality.

There are many different designs when choosing new cabinetry, which should ultimately complement your appliances and décor. They should accent your kitchen, and make your appliances look like they all match in tone and with the proper design elements. For instance, you would not typically choose the newest, most modern appliances and then install “country” or distressed-style cabinets.

Here are some styles for you to consider:

• Shaker: This is a popular style consisting of a frame and a central panel. It is a classic and simple design. Some common woods used for shaker cabinetry include cherry, maple, hickory, and oak.
• Flat-panel or slab: These are flat-style panel doors; they are simple but very attractive. They fit in well with modern and contemporary styles.
• Inset: As you would expect, inset doors are set inside the cabinet frame, not outside, which is what we typically see. While they look sleek, they can also be expensive. If you are budget conscious and looking to upgrade while watching your pennies, you may need to choose something other than inset cabinets.
• Distressed: If you enjoy country style or antique style kitchen décor, distressed cabinetry may be a great choice. Distressing can be done by the manufacturer or by a tradesman. Those that are distressed by hand are more expensive.
• Custom cabinetry:  If the price is no object, you can choose custom cabinetry. Local tradesmen and designers can personalize your cabinets for the look, feel, and functionality you are looking need.

The Best Place to Go for Beautiful New Cabinets:

At Authentic Custom Cabinets, we work with you to find the best options for your home and your pocketbook. If you are looking for affordable new cabinetry in your home in the Phoenix and Las Vegas areas, call us first. We have been in business since 1987 and have been providing quality products and affordable prices for over 30 years.

Categorised in: Kitchen Cabinets