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Kitchen remodels primarily involve the countertops, appliances, backsplash and flooring. But the most visible facet of the kitchen, which affects its look more than anything else, is the cabinetry. It can also be the costliest to revamp.
A few tips and techniques can go a long way in saving you unnecessary setbacks and helping you stay on budget while giving your kitchen that much-needed spruce-up.
The basic difference between stock and custom cabinets is that custom cabinets are made-to-order according to specifications while stock cabinets are bought off-the-shelf. RTA cabinets are ready-to-assemble cabinetry that is also bought off the shelf.
Depending on factors like your budget, tastes and the dimensions of your kitchen space, you can make an informed decision about investing in either one of these types of cabinets.
Stock cabinets are limited in options with regard to size, type of wood, stain, color and finish. A few standard sizes, neutral colors and popular finishes are mass-produced and made widely available. Oak or cherry are the commonly used wood varieties and varnish, natural or paint are the common finishes.
With custom cabinets, you can choose from a seemingly endless spectrum of possibilities for personalization. They can be designed to fit your unique taste or literally fit that awkward nook in the kitchen that can be harnessed for storage space. You may be able to choose an exotic wood like birdseye maple and an unusual finish like a hand-brushed wash.
Stock cabinets are inexpensive while custom cabinets are much more expensive because of the labor and extra time that is involved.
Although this is not a hard and fast rule, it is not common to find superior quality wood among stock cabinets when compared to custom cabinets. Custom simply means that the client has a choice of material, design and finish. But usually, custom cabinets are of superior quality while stock cabinets are available in inexpensive types of wood.
Stock and RTA cabinets are readily available and are bought from the store or shipped to your location. Custom cabinets take time to build and install because they are usually constructed on-site. If you intend to sell your house in a few years, it is advisable to choose sock cabinets, which styles tend to be timeless and classic rather than trendy. A custom cabinet runs the risk of going out of style or not suiting the taste of a prospective buyer.
Semi-custom cabinets are a middle ground if you are on a budget but would still like a little customization. Some stock cabinet manufacturers can make minor changes to their specifications and ship the cabinets to you. Or custom cabinet manufacturers may create a standard line with some of their most popular options and offer them at a lower price.
Stock cabinets can cost $60 to $200 per linear foot and custom cabinets may cost $500 to $1200 per linear foot. Semi-custom cabinets lie in the middle of this range and may cost $100 to $650 per linear foot.
CNC is an automated process of building tangible three-dimensional art and engineering models. CNC millwork is the term used to describe.
CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. It is a mathematical concept, upon which CNC router machines operate. The specifications for a product are programmed into a computer attached to the machine and it cuts the raw material accordingly to shape the product. The computer converts numerical code into Cartesian coordinates to drive the precise movements of the machine. The programming language that is commonly used is CAD and its various derivatives.
CNC millwork refers to this process when applied to wood. It is a subtractive process as it removes material to shape the final product. This process is used to craft kitchen cabinets among other home furnishings.
CNC milling machines are equipped with a tool or cutter that is attached to a rotating spindle. The raw material is placed on a table that also moves in relation to the cutter. The cutter can operate at different angles and move along two to five axes.
There are three types of milling machines. Vertical, horizontal and knee mills. They are differentiated by the orientation and range of movement of the table and the spindle to which the cuter is attached. Horizontal mills are more suitable for longer pieces.
CNC milling is an effective method for shaping custom cabinets according to detailed specifications of shape and dimensions. It can also be used for mass production by using a standard program that is used repeatedly.
While remodeling your kitchen, you may be faced with the option of either changing the look of your cabinetry or doing a complete overhaul of the cabinet layout. If you choose the former solution, the option you have available to you is refacing.
Refacing involves removing the drawers and doors of your cabinets, replacing them with new ones and attaching new veneers and laminates to the sides and frames to match the new fronts. The basic skeleton of the cabinetry remains intact while the skin and fronts are replaced.
The sides are refaced with natural wood veneers or laminates. The front of the frames are refaced with RTF or rigid thermofoil, or natural wood veneers.
Resurfacing is the ideal solution if you are on a budget and do not want to invest the time and effort for a complete overhaul.
Hinges, and hardware such as handles and knobs, can also be replaced. If any of these existing items are in good shape they can just be reinstalled on the refaced cabinets. Additional features like glass panels, lighting fixtures and storage accessories can also be installed.
For a standard-sized kitchen, refacing can be done in around three days by a professional. Alternatively, it can be a DIY project. You can purchase the veneer kits and new hardware, if required, and reface the cabinets yourself. This can save labor costs even though it could take longer.
Refacing is an eco-friendly option for a kitchen remodel. Treated wood contains harmful chemicals and as opposed to a complete renovation, refacing saves some of this wood from entering the landfill. It also saves wood wastage.
The downside to refacing is that it cannot be an option if you would like to change the layout or blueprint of your kitchen.
For a 10 by 12 foot kitchen, laminate veneers can cost $1000 to $3000 and real wood veneers can cost $2500 to $6000. On average, refacing can cost as little as half the cost of replacing your cabinets with custom cabinetry or 70% of the cost of replacing it with stock cabinetry.
If your cabinets are still sturdy but you want a fresh and different look from the existing one, consider a new coat of paint. If you have natural wood and would like to retain it, consider changing the stain to a lighter or richer shade. A coat of white semi-gloss paint can brighten the space and a darker color can make it feel more warm and cozy. Washing, priming and painting the cabinets is possible the most cost-effective way to refresh the look and feel of your kitchen. Refacing the cabinets while maintaining their basic structure is also an affordable solution. Something as simple as new hardware can radically change the aesthetic. Adding trim and molding is also an affordable alternative that can change the look.
Adding under-the-cabinet lighting creates a cozy and classy ambience. A wide range of affordable fixtures are available and can make a noticeable impact on the atmosphere of the space. You can repurpose construction waste to create storage inserts and fixtures inside your drawers and cabinets. Pieces of tubing can be used as separators and plastic or metal sheeting can be used as liners.
If there is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area, you can shop there for low-priced cabinetry and material for refacing.
To stay on budget, consider selling the drawers and doors that you will no longer be using, to fund the purchase of new hardware or cabinet veneers.
Stores sell semi-assembled kits with detailed directions for almost any DIY project. Going the DIY route can save you a lot in labor costs. A wealth of information and guidance is available online as well.
80% of home buyers consider the kitchen to be among the top three spaces that they judge. The look and quality of a kitchen can greatly affect its resale value.
The national average ROI or return on investment of a kitchen remodel is around 54% for a major remodel, around 81% for a minor remodel and around 93% if you live in the Pacific area. Sprucing up your kitchen can translate into figures and help you decide if it is worth it especially if you have your home’s resale value in mind.
Cabinetry is possibly the most visually impactful feature of a kitchen. Updating the cabinets and drawers can dramatically change the look of the space and it is an inexpensive way to make a huge impact.
If you are gearing up to sell your home in the not-too-distant future, your kitchen updates will need to be neutral, generic and designed to fit a wide range of tastes. They cannot be too unique. For such a remodel, the options usually are on the inexpensive end of the spectrum. This makes a kitchen remodel worth it as it will add value to your home without pushing you over your budget.
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GEORGE M.
CUSTOM CABINET
Very pleased
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LAYLA D.
CUSTOM TABLE
Amazing result
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MACBETH
KITCHEN CABINET
Highly recommended
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