When it comes to the most common finishes for kitchen cabinets, it is always important to consult with professionals, like Authentic Custom Cabinetry. With so many selections to choose from, it can be hard to decide on the kitchen cabinets that are best for your home. Thanks to this guide, all the most frequently asked questions can finally be answered!
How Often Do You Need to Replace Kitchen Cabinets?
The kitchen cabinets are not always considered in these instances, as homeowners fall into the trap of believing that they will never need to be replaced. However, the cabinets are likely to lose their sheen over the course of time. Their functionality may be fine, but that does not mean that there are no issues taking place just beneath the surface. As a rule of thumb, cabinets should be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
Cabinets will accrue the same amount of wear and tear as any other feature in the kitchen. They are not designed to last forever and are going to require a full replacement once the material starts to show obvious signs of distress. The homeowner may need to make this decision a bit earlier, depending on the material that they have used. Are the cupboard doors still closing properly? Are the shelves bending and buckling? The answers to these questions will go a long way towards determining whether the cabinets have to be replaced.
Is it Worth it to Replace Kitchen Cabinets?
Replacing kitchen cabinets is certainly worth it to those who are looking to maintain proper value within the home. Yes, the kitchen cabinets can last for decades, but that is not a guarantee, and it is not something to bank on. A kitchen cabinet replacement will typically provide the room with a necessary facelift. The interior of the home should always be treated with the same love as the exterior.
This is especially true of those who are currently looking to sell their home. Instead of overemphasizing exterior improvements, take a closer look at the areas within the kitchen that are suffering from neglect. The kitchen cabinets could be suffering from water damages and natural wear and tear is also an issue. These are not problems that are going to go away overnight, so it is always worth it to replace kitchen cabinets in these instances. Even those who are not planning on selling their home will benefit immensely.
What is the Most Durable Kitchen Cabinet Finish?
Of course, once the homeowner has decided that they are ready to replace the kitchen cabinets, the hardest part is deciding on a proper finish. There are a number of options to choose from and each of them comes with its own pros and cons. However, the best choice that can be made here happens to be a very simple one. The waterborne finish is gaining in popularity and for very good reason. It’s an eco-friendly option that also provides homeowners with the necessary durability.
Stained, glazed, natural, distressed, varnished, and painted all work well in their own ways but they are no match for waterborne from a sheer durability standpoint. Waterborne kitchen cabinets are specially designed so that environmental impact can be reduced, and they are also highly resistant to scratches. These cabinets are also very easy to clean and the yellowing that normally occurs with age no longer takes place. The application process might be a bit more difficult, but this is why the experts are always on hand to provide all of the proper assistance to homeowners in the Phoenix and Las Vegas area.
Are White or Black Countertops Better?
When kitchen cabinets are replaced, the countertops will have to come next. When it comes time to make this decision, the homeowner is usually stuck between two choices: black or white. It’s a fascinating discussion that we can see both sides of. At the end of the day, the decision is going to depend on the whims of the individual homeowner. Dark countertops are particularly troublesome for many because of their ability to place dirt and grime on full display.
Those who are not looking to clean the countertops on a constant basis may decide that they are better off going for white ones. Dark countertops provide all of the necessary aesthetic appeals for homeowners but the cleaning issues that they cause are too much to endure at times. Most kitchens tend to be on the bright side, which makes them fairly unforgiving as far as cleanliness is concerned.
A homeowner that does not wish to endure these difficulties is going to choose a white countertop. The darker the cabinets, the more likely the stains are to jump out at those who enter. Meanwhile, others may choose black countertops because they enjoy knowing when they are ready to be cleaned.
How do You Clean Polyurethane Kitchen Cabinets?
When it comes time to clean polyurethane kitchen cabinets, a number of questions are bound to arise. This form of varnish is tough, durable, and functions as a plastic coating. It’s great for kitchen cabinets because it is essentially impenetrable. These cabinets can be hard to clean because we are not actually cleaning the wood, we are cleaning the finish. That’s why it is of the utmost importance to obtain the proper chemicals.
The finish must be tested first so that the homeowner can make sure it is actually polyurethane. Since this is one of the most common finishes for kitchen cabinets, the experts can also help. Boiled linseed oil and acetone are typically used in these instances. Apply a few drops to the finish and wait to see they bead up. If they do? This means that the finish is actually polyurethane.
The homeowner should also take the time to dust these cabinets. A dry microfiber cloth can be used in these instances, while grease and grime is best removed with mineral spirits on a cloth rag if a typical moist cloth is not sufficient. For particularly tough stains, microfiber sponges are the best choice.
