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Expected Lifespan Of Your Kitchen Cabinets
The durability of kitchen cabinets is a point of concern for most people. You might be considering a kitchen redesign or simply concerned about the state of your kitchen cabinets. Overall, kitchen cabinets are made to be quite durable, but over time, wear and tear as well as water damage take their toll—waterproof your kitchen cabinets to prevent water damage and ensure that it lasts a long time.
How Long Should A Brand-New Kitchen Last?
According to most manufacturers, a brand-new kitchen renovation that includes countertops, cabinets, tiles, flooring, and more should last at least 25 years before having to be replaced. The assumption is that the cabinet doors and drawer front you're using are of excellent quality, are durable, and that you maintain their condition through regular cleaning and good care.
Your new kitchen will deteriorate much more quickly if you don't care for it. Brand-new kitchen furniture should last at least 20 years, but you'll probably wish to replace or update specific kitchen elements to keep your decor stylish and up-to-date. For instance, homeowners typically get their kitchen cabinets refaced or refinished when they wish to update them.
How Long Do Kitchen Cabinets Last?
Change your kitchen cabinets every time they are worn out, or you feel the need to update your kitchen's look due to shifting interior design trends. High-quality kitchen cabinets can last up to 50 years, assuming you keep them in good shape. Some kitchen cabinets were built to last, so it's not uncommon to find people who have kitchens that were created prior to the 1960s and 1970s. However, less expensive (or poorly maintained) cabinets typically only last about half as long.
Well-maintained, high-quality custom kitchen cabinets do not need replacing for at least 25 years. Most kitchen manufacturers offer a 25-year warranty on the durability of their kitchen cabinets. They won't need to be changed for the entire period. Termite or water-damaged cabinets may require replacement. When old cabinets get too worn out or damaged to be helpful, they need to be replaced.
Cabinet Replacement Vs. Refinishing
Refinishing cabinets is less expensive than completely replacing them. To replace cabinets, you must purchase brand-new cabinet frames, shelves, fittings, and wall mounts. This significant task may rapidly get pricey unless you purchase inexpensive, low-quality cabinetry made of particle board or MDF.
Conversely, when you reface or refinish cabinets, you continue to work with the current cabinet framework but just change or refinish the doors, giving the kitchen cabinets the appearance of being completely new even though they are only altered on the front. Refinishing your current cabinets is typically your best option if you're a homeowner trying to rebuild your kitchen on a budget.
This is provided you like them, and they're in decent shape. However, replacing cabinet fronts with new doors will give the entire room a fresh feel without actually putting in that much labour if your kitchen cabinets are mouldy, rotting, old, or you just don't like them.
What Is Cabinet Refinishing?
Refinishing is removing doors from your existing cabinets to renovate and make them look nicer or different. Refinish only if your current cabinets are in reasonable shape. For instance, you might sand down your cabinets to remove dirt and surface blemishes. You might also paint and varnish them again to make them look like brand-new, fresh cabinets.
You can also choose to preserve the existing fitting or screw on brand-new handles and hinges to make your design feel more fashionable. The most labour-intensive part is replacing your kitchen cabinets. Typically, cabinet refinishing, although it is also the least expensive, requires you to be ready to put in the work.
What Is Cabinet Refacing?
Some people choose to replace kitchen cabinets but leave the current foundation and shelves in place, which is also known as cabinet refacing. You can have your kitchens designed to match the latest cabinet designs. Paint or laminate the external surface to match the colour of new cabinet doors if your cabinet refacing project calls for differently coloured cabinet doors.
Refacing is a terrific technique to make your kitchen cabinets look brand new. You have the option to change the front-facing portion that people view if your shelves and cabinet frames are in good shape. Refacing cabinets is the most cost-effective solution when applying the latest cabinet designs. It's totally up to you whether to paint or reface cabinets.
How Long Do Refaced Cabinets Last?
You can expect a refaced project to last between 15 and 20 years before needing to be replaced. This is true if your cabinets are constructed from solid wood and are in reasonable condition (i.e., your frames and shelves are still extremely sturdy). It is difficult to tell only by looking at your cabinet frames, but you can be sure good solid wood cabinets will last.
Ventilate steam and moisture out of your kitchen when cooking to extend their longevity. Additionally, give the cabinets a frequent cleaning and, if necessary, cover them with a waterproof layer such as polyurethane varnish.
When Should Your Kitchen Cabinets Be Replaced?
Sometimes, all your kitchen needs is a complete cabinet replacement. So, get rid of the old stuff. But how can you tell when to get new kitchen cabinets? Many homeowners update their cabinets every 10 to 15 years or whenever they move, but there are numerous reasons and indicative signs that you should do so sooner rather than later.
Suppose your cabinets are constructed of inexpensive, low-quality materials, such as particleboard or MDF. In that case, they will only last for a limited period of time before succumbing to moisture and water damage. Therefore, learning how to fix water-damaged cabinet doors is a good idea.
It's time to get rid of your cabinet frames if they are rotting, mouldy, or just losing their shape. Once the cabinet frames have been damaged, you must start over by replacing everything. Buy new cabinets for every room area if you want to redesign your kitchen completely.
You might be able to use your current cabinets again, but obviously, that relies on their layout and how much you still like them. Old cabinets can start to develop a foul, smelly, musty odour. You can sometimes eliminate this scent by cleaning, but other times you just need to get rid of the cabinet and start again!
Water Damage
You may have water damage if your cabinets appear swollen, aren't closing correctly, or have dark colour patches. Since wood makes up the majority of kitchen cabinets, water damage is possible. Kitchen cabinets are exposed to more water, steam, and other harmful factors compared to cabinets in most other rooms.
Water may readily harm wood, especially if there is a leak somewhere. Kitchen cabinets need to be replaced before other cabinets in your house, even if they were installed simultaneously. Cabinets with water damage may show the following signs:
• Wood is starting to warp.
• Bubbling up on the cabinet's exterior or interior.
• The outer laminate is coming apart.
• The wood has begun to oxidise or turn dark.
• Presence of mould.
• Cabinet doors do not open or close properly.
Your first step in fixing a leak is to identify how the water entered the wood in the first place. The leak must be found and stopped to prevent this from happening again. The cabinet needs to be adequately dried. If necessary, you or an experienced cabinet maker can make repairs after the surface has dried. This will require replacing specific components and, potentially, bleaching away stains. Make sure the repair is feasible before starting this project.
Considerations When Purchasing Kitchen Cabinets
Choose a traditional design for your kitchen cabinets. Consider your current home's design and the style you want it to have in the future. Will your appliances and cabinets match forever? Is your countertop made of stone or marble? Avoid having to replace your kitchen or cabinetry in the future just for looks by choosing a timeless design.
The same criterion applies to your cabinets' overall functionality: do you like their size, configuration, and design? Future cabinets should improve the features you don't like about your current cabinets while highlighting the ones you enjoy.
Benefits Of Remodelling Your Kitchen?
Some people replace their kitchen cabinetry because it may have parts that have failed or been damaged due to excessive wear and tear. There may be a problem with the hinge, it could have broken off from the kitchen unit, or a drawer might not open properly.
Replace damaged parts with new hinges or drawer boxes rather than replacing the kitchen with entirely new units if you like the look of your kitchen door fronts and the units themselves are in good shape.
A hinge repair plate, which you can purchase from eBay, will solve your issue if one of your kitchen hinges has separated from the cabinet. Your new kitchen needs to be practical, and functionality comes before aesthetics. You can still have an extraordinary design without compromising your kitchen's functionality for looks.
Have A Professional Assess Your Cabinetry
Kitchen cabinets often last for at least 10 to 15 years before needing any maintenance, but it all depends on how well-built they are, what they are made of, and whether you like them or not. Consider the best course of action carefully for you and your kitchen because replacing all of the cabinet doors and drawers can be very expensive. Have a professional assess your cabinetry to determine what is best for your kitchen.
