Cabinet Refacing: Before and After Expectations

The experience you'll have with cabinet refacing before and after comes down to expectations - knowing them, adjusting them, and satisfying them. Before you get started on a cabinet refacing project - whether a do-it-yourself project or a professional job - ask yourself what your expectations are for the outcome. As with anything: to reach your goals, you need to define them.

Are you looking for a lighter, brighter kitchen? A more modern look? Country style? If you know what you're trying to accomplish, you can put more focused thought into the process both before you get started and as you move through the project.

Also consider the impact of cabinet refacing on your home value. If your ultimate goal in refacing your kitchen cabinets is to add value to your property for future sale or refinance, be sure that the materials and finishes you select won't backfire. Using artificial rigid thermofoils (RTF) for refacing in a high-end home, for example, even if the old cabinet surfaces were worn, cracked or otherwise in need of updating, may actually reduce home value.

Also consider small accompanying projects that will enhance the impact of your new cabinets. If you're considering a future sale, are there other kitchen features that could use updating or repair while you're at it? Once your cabinets are updated, you may find that other older fixtures in your kitchen now appear even more out of date.

Work out the estimated return on investment for any home improvement project you take on. If you buy bottom-of-the-barrel materials to save money, you may find you pay for it later in home value reduction. Similarly, you don't want to overspend on expensive materials that look pretty, only to find the update adds no tangible value - or worse, becomes a turn-off for potential buyers because of high maintenance issues and costs.

If you don't plan to sell or refinance and are simply looking for an inexpensive way to update the look of your kitchen, then RTFs may be the right choice for you - particularly if you've got a family and need to focus on a solid budget-durability equation. In that case, additional updates, like a large pantry for bulk items or low shelves for little hands, make good sense even if they don't ultimately add monetary value to your home.

No matter what your goal is for your kitchen cabinet project, sit down and think about your expectations and what you hope to achieve with cabinet refacing, before and after the project. Goal-based planning is the clearest path to satisfying results!