Why is the kitchen our second living room?
Modification of kitchen cabinets is the term for replacing an old set of kitchen cabinets with a new one, usually a brand-new one. Modification of kitchen cabinets is done to give the kitchen a fresh new look because old kitchen cabinets can be poorly insulated and are not as easy to clean. New cabinets can be more functional, offer more storage space, and add an extra layer of protection against noise and humidity.
Modification of kitchen cabinets usually involves a new cabinet set and requires drilling holes in the walls so that screws can go through for assembly. This should only be done by a professional who has experience with this type of project. Adding more cabinet doors to an existing set, or customising the size and layout of an existing set.
Kitchen cabinet refacing:
- Open the original doors and remove all the door hardware. Some cabinet doors may be removed easily by hand or with the use of a screwdriver or chisel, while others might require the use of a hammer and chisel to free them from their adhesive.
- Sand both sides of each board. Careful sanding can remove the old finish and any dings, making it easier to apply a new finish.
- Wipe away the dust before staining or painting to ensure that no contaminants get into the material.
- Prime bare wood with an oil-based primer if stains will be used on open-grained woods like oak, pine, or aspen; latex primers are not recommended for these woods.
- Let the oil-based primer dry for 24 hours if you will be using oil-based paint on open-grained wood.
- Apply stain, varnish, or a combination of both to the wood.
- Paint all surfaces with the chosen finish. If you are painting, allow the paint to dry 24 hours before installing any hardware.
- Install new cabinet hardware and re-install doors.
- Remove all debris from under the cabinets and wipe away any dust from dried paint before installing.
- Match room lighting and decor with a choice of colour for new cabinets.
- Install new floors or use tile if the previous floor has been disturbed by the removal of old cabinets.
Kitchen cabinet painting:
- Sand or scrape away any damaged finish from both sides of each board.
- Apply a primer before any stain to protect the surface against moisture.
- Follow the directions on the paint bottle, which will depend on whether you are applying flat exterior paint or a waxy interior finish.
- Stain grade is important because it will affect the final look and feel of your new kitchen cabinets. For example, an oil-based stain may cause discoloration in some woods and should be avoided because of this. Oil-based stains also tend to produce a duller and less uniform finish than water-soluble stains.
- Apply a second coat if necessary.
- Allow the paint to dry completely before installing screws and hardware.
- Use mounting hardware specified to match the finish of a particular type of paint.
- Install new flooring if the previous floor has been disturbed by the removal of old cabinets.
- Wait a minimum of 24 hours before installing countertops or any other type of kitchen surface treatment, including backsplash, tile, or granite. This will allow the build-up of oils in water-based finishes to be absorbed into the wood so that it dries evenly and at full strength after the application is completed.