5 Signs that Your Kitchen Cabinets Need to be Replaced

You hear a lot these days about refacing your cabinets instead of replacing them as a way to save money. With refacing, you would just replace the doors and drawer fronts to get a new look. You might replace the hardware, as well. Another option would be to simply repaint the cabinets to get a new look.

However, this discussion of refacing cabinets ignores a lot of issues that might need to be addressed with older cabinets. You might actually need to replace your cabinets and not just give them a cosmetic makeover. Here are five ways to know if you need to replace your kitchen cabinets:

1. You Have Flimsy, Cheap Cabinets

Your cabinets may be made of flimsy materials. MDF, a type of composite material that is party wood but mostly glue and filler material, is often used to make cabinets, and it will not stand the test of time. Adding new doors or drawer fronts to these types of cabinets won’t solve any problems. Eventually, the doors could just fall right off the cabinets.

If your cabinets are flimsy or are made out of cheap materials, you need to replace them instead of simply refacing them. Otherwise, you’ll have a lot more problems with your cabinets in the long run.

2. The Cabinets are Made of Metal

It may be hard to imagine that cabinets were ever made of anything besides wood, but metal was once a popular option for kitchen cabinets. If you have a home that has these vintage cabinets, you likely won’t be able to reface them. Occasionally, it may be possible, but usually, refacing metal cabinets is too difficult and not worth the hassle.

If you have metal cabinets and want a new look for your kitchen, you will likely need to invest in replacing your cabinets.

3. The Cabinets are Severely Damaged

You can’t cover up major damage or structural issues with a facelift. If your cabinets can’t be repaired, you need to invest in replacement, not refacing. You may not realize that your cabinets have reached this point until you start analyzing them for your planned remodel or until you get a contractor in to check out your cabinets. So, never make a plan for your remodel before you thoroughly inspect your cabinets and know what you’re dealing with.

4. There’s a Lingering Odor

There’s actually a space under your cabinets and behind them. In some cases, there may even be a space between your cabinets and the counter top. Pests, mold, and even bits of food can sometimes get into those spaces. Since you aren’t cleaning in those spaces – and maybe aren’t even able to clean in those spaces – those things can be left unchecked, and they can cause a serious odor that won’t go away. Your only option for dealing with those odors is to rip the cabinets out and get rid of the source.

If you have a lingering, nasty odor in your kitchen, you should talk to your Tempe custom cabinet maker about replacing your cabinets. The odor isn’t going to go away on its own – if anything, it may intensify and become worse.

5. You Want a Whole New Layout

A lot of people decide to remodel their cabinets because they are remodeling their kitchens. And a lot of people decide to remodel their kitchens because they want more room, or they want to improve the usefulness of the space, such as by getting more surface area for food preparation or getting more storage space for kitchen gadgets and cookware. Often, these plans require changing the layout of the cabinets, as well as other items in the kitchen.

If you are planning to change the layout of your cabinets, moving the old cabinets and just putting new doors and drawer fronts on them doesn’t really make sense. You really need to get new cabinets when you are making such major changes.

Sure, refacing your kitchen cabinets can save you money, and it is worth considering it in certain cases. But if you are dealing with any of the above issues, you’ll need to replace the cabinets instead. Doing so will give you a better look and will save you more money in the long run by reducing the repairs you’ll need to make to the cabinets and to the surrounding area.

AZ Cabinet Maker, a division of RJ Custom Projects, can help you determine if refacing or replacing your cabinets is the right choice for your kitchen. We are an Arizona cabinet designer and builder that specializes in custom and semi-custom cabinets. We’re a five-star cabinet designer, and we build and install all cabinets locally. We also offer a variety of hardware and finishes to help you get the look you want for your kitchen. Call us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the beautiful options to renovate your kitchen.

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AZ Cabinet Maker
640 N Alder Dr
Chandler, AZ 85226

Phone: 480.800.3512
Email: [email protected]