For professional refinishers, there are few jobs more satisfying than refinishing old kitchen cabinets. Even with a worn-down finish, hardwood cabinets possess a unique charm, with built-to-last quality and craftsmanship. Professional refinishing allows their beauty to really shine through, revealing a classic look that modern cabinets fail to capture.
If you’re thinking about refinishing old kitchen cabinets, you’ll want to make sure they get the care and attention they deserve. To do that, you’ll need to be careful about which refinishing service you hire. That might mean investing a little more time in choosing your refinisher. But when you see the final results, you’ll know it was time well spent.
The Pros & Pitfalls of Refinishing Old Kitchen Cabinets
Refinishing old kitchen cabinets can take a bit of hard work, especially when cabinets are several decades old. But more often than not, refinishing these cabinets is worth the extra effort.
While modern cabinets are often made out of cheaper, less durable materials, that’s rarely true of vintage cabinets. Most are made of long-lasting hardwoods, like beech, cherry, oak, or walnut. Simply put, they’re materials worth preserving. And with proper care, should continue to last for years to come.
At the same time, older cabinets give your kitchen a charming vintage look. Some homeowners want a sleek, minimalist look in the kitchen. But for our money, nothing beats the warmth and comfort of hardwood cabinets.
Refinishing old kitchen cabinets is also a more budget-friendly and eco-friendly choice. True, you might need to spend a little extra on refinishing these cabinets. But even then, this will cost a lot less than replacing them. Plus, you’ll be conserving natural resources.
Unless you’re an experienced DIYer, we strongly advise against refinishing vintage cabinets by yourself. Instead, you’ll want a refinishing service that can restore your cabinets to their original appearance.
Choosing a Refinisher for Vintage or Antique Cabinets
When you’re refinishing old kitchen cabinets, it’s important that you hire the right refinishing service. These cabinets require a little extra TLC, so be careful to avoid general contractors. With older cabinets, the last thing you want is for a cut-rate refinisher to permanently damage the underlying hardwood!
By choosing an experienced refinishing service, you’ll have no reason to worry. An experienced refinishing service will restore the luster and color of your cabinets to like-new condition. With the right refinishing company, you can even restore hardwood damage, like deep scratches and discolorations.
If you’re unsure how to find the right refinishing service for your vintage or antique cabinets, here are a few things you’ll want to consider:
How extensive is the damage to the finish and/or hardwood? A basic refinishing service should be able to handle minor wear, discoloration, and damage. In cases of moderate to severe damage, you’ll need to hire a cabinet restoration service.
Do you plan to keep your cabinets the same color? If so, you can hire a basic cabinet refinishing service. But if you’re looking to update the palette of your cabinets, you’ll need to explore cabinet color shift and custom color change services.
What’s your budget for cabinet refinishing? When it comes to older cabinets, the choice typically comes down to a larger cabinet refinishing company or an independent specialist. If your cabinets are made using specialized materials or construction methods, you may need an antique restoration specialist. Otherwise, it will typically cost less to go with a larger company.
Are you concerned about dust, fumes, or odors? Traditional refinishing methods remain popular for refinishing old kitchen cabinets. But these methods can pollute the air inside your home with wood dust, chemical fumes, and unpleasant odors. To avoid these issues, you’ll want to explore modern alternatives to traditional refinishing.
Need help refinishing old kitchen cabinets? Your local N-Hance can help. Call (855) 642-6230 today to schedule a FREE refinishing estimate!