On the Wire - Replace, Reface or Refinish?
When it comes to kitchen remodels, new appliances may be pricey and flooring costs may floor you, but cabinets can be the single biggest expense of all. That's why it literally pays to take a close look at what you've already got and consider the options carefully. Depending on the configuration and construction of your cabinets, you can replace, reface or refinish them on the way to your kitchen redo. Following is a rundown of each approach to strengthening the bones of your kitchen.
REPLACE - If your kitchen remodel involves a new footprint and additional storage needs, partial or complete replacement of cabinets is the way to go. Just remember that this approach involves major demolition and consideration of such critical elements as plumbing and appliance placement. There are three levels of cabinet customization:
- Stock cabinets: The least expensive, stock cabinetry is produced en masse and available through your local home improvement center and cabinet dealers. What you see is what you get, with few chances for modifications or specialized specs. Manufacturers offer such wide variety, however, that stock cabinets can be a perfect solution that saves considerably on costs.
- Semi-custom cabinets: The middle ground between stock and custom, this variety allows for slight modifications (usually height, width, and depth) at the time of production. There is a wider array of associated moldings, trims and finishes available, and of course, the price goes up accordingly.
- Custom cabinets: Created especially for you and your kitchen, with pricing determined by complexity of design and materials used. Aficionados of fine wood craftsmanship find it hard to consider any other option.
REFACE - Refacing cabinets involves replacing the doors and veneers on existing laminate or wood boxes. It's not a job for the novice, but also understand that if you hire a pro to do the job, your satisfaction with the results will be directly proportional to their skill and level of craftsmanship. Quality of existing cabinetry and the new materials applied also impact the end product.
REFINISH - If you like the style and configuration of the cabinets you have, and they happen to be made of wood or laminate, refinishing them is the clearest route to remodeling cost control. Most older cabinetry is well built, so preserving it is usually worthwhile... just be sure to examine the construction carefully before pulling out the sander, because if paper-thin veneers cover every surface but the solid fronts, you'll need to rethink your refinishing plans. Veneers can't be sanded or stained, so painting will be the only option if theyfre involved. Whether painting or staining, choose an oil-based finish, which is far more durable and forgiving of everyday kitchen grime than latex finish.
Checked your cabinets and they're clear for approach? Great! Here are the steps to a fabulous new finish:
- Working in a well-ventilated area, begin with a thorough cleaning, removing all dirt and grime from cabinets; allow surfaces to dry.
- Apply a paint/finish remover, and scrape away finish with a putty knife, followed by a wire brush. Continue this cycle until a clean wood surface is revealed.
- Sand cabinets with fine-grit sandpaper, and remove resulting dust and debris with a tack cloth. You may also consider using a liquid sanding agent, which can be very effective in application to fine woodworking details and other hard-to-sand areas (it also helps with the grime-removal step of refinishing).
- Apply the new finish according to the manufacturer's instructions (preceded by the appropriate primer if you're painting the cabinets), allowing surfaces to dry thoroughly between coats.
- When finish applications are complete, apply a protective top coat to protect cabinets from moisture, grease, and surface oil.
Finally, don't forget to update all those knobs and pulls, new hardware is the bling that brings personality and freshness to a kitchen!
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Window Worry
This week's question comes to us from Susan: "I have window gates (guards) and am putting up locks on them for the safety of my children. Where do I put the keys? Theyfd need to be somewhere where the children can use them in case of fire, but I don't want it them to be lost."
Susan, please stop and think! Locking window guards is a REALLY bad idea. We're not sure why you need guards but they are generally used for one of two purposes. The first is to prevent break-ins and the second is to prevent young children from falling out a window. In EITHER case, properly installed guards have a keyless, quick release mechanism that can be opened up from the inside of the windows so children could not possibly be trapped inside in the event of a devastating fire. There is about ZERO chance that keys, even if kept near by, can be found and used in the panic and thick, dense smoke of a fire. Never, ever, padlock these guards shut.
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
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On the Air - iPod, uPod, We all Pod!
Hey, everyone! Don't miss out on what iPodders everywhere are discovering is the best home improvement show out there! To get current podcasts of The Money Pit radio show, simply click here and follow the instructions. The best part about our Podcast is that it's FREE! Plus, you can search our archives to find the shows that address YOUR home improvement problem or concern.
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Dot Common Sense - Durable Decks
Decks are usually built with pressure treated wood. To do that, the wood is put in a vacuum-sealed container that's filled with chemical preservatives. Basically the chemicals are FORCED into the wood. The downside is that the chemicals don't always completely saturate the wood. These areas – generally found near the center and end cuts – are high risk spots for rot. No matter how small these areas are, the wood can easily absorb moisture and allow decay organisms to enter. And once that happens, the wood starts to rot from the inside out. But this doesn't have to happen to your deck. You can protect with what's called a weather resistant, self-adhering membrane. One we like is Vycor Deck Protector® from Grace Construction Products. You just adhere it to the top of deck joists and it provides an impervious barrier against water and moisture penetration.
For more information on Grace's weather barriers for decks and more, visit www.GraceAtHome.com.
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Fun Fact - Bathroom Blunder
Re-doing your bathroom? Donft make this big blunder: DON'T cut corners with the stuff that goes behind the walls! Just because you canft see it, doesn't mean you can skimp on it. You might find you get your total budget figured out and you have to cut something somewhere. But trying to make budget by going cheap with the plumbing doesn'ft make sense. This is not something you can change when the mood strikes you. These are parts of your re-do that you cannot easily access – you MUST spend the most you can for the "bones" of your project. This tip comes from Barbara Sallick of Waterworks
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Short Cuts - Sticker Shock
Do you love your newly installed windows or appliances, but hate the stickers on the front of them? The good news is you're not stuck with them for good. To remove stickers or decals from almost any new product, warm about ¾ cup of white vinegar. Soak a piece of cloth large enough to cover the entire sticker and hold it there for a few minutes. Once it's saturated, it should peel off easily. This trick also works for old bumper stickers on your car.
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Copyright 2006 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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