From time to time we occupy a booth at local trade shows.  It is a great opportunity to meet many folks face to face that are in the process of or about to start a remodeling project.  One of the biggest conversation pieces is always our cabinet samples.  So many people are surprised at what their old oak cabinets can look like when they are refinished.

Many owners think that replacement is their only option if they want to change the look & feel of their kitchen or bathroom.  But cabinet refinishing is becoming increasingly popular and can be 70% to 80% cheaper than the cost of replacement.  Most of the cabinets we refinish are oak but it is not uncommon to see poplar, maple or alder woods.

Our customer in Boise wanted to take their maple kitchen cabinets from a very mild stain to an antiqued look.  This is very popular right now and can change the entire look of a kitchen.  They were surprised to learn that we would complete the job in 4 days and that most of the work would be finished off site.

Our process typically begins on a Monday and ends on a Friday.  Here is what a customer can expect:

Day 1:  Cabinets doors & drawers are removed and taken to an off site shop for refinishing.  Work begins on the fixed panels & face frames in the home

Day 2:  The work on the fixed panels in the home is completed and work begins off site on the doors & drawers

Day 3-4:  Doors & drawers are completed & allowed to cure off site

Day 5:  Doors & drawers are rehung and project is complete

The refinishing process begins with sanding all surfaces.  The first coat applied is a primer tinted to an off white.  This coat is sanded smooth and then, depending on a customer’s preference, sanded to a distressed look.  Next, a coat of glaze is applied.  The final step is applying an acrylic clear coat that will give a durable finish and protect the color.

Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom can be a daunting task without the addition of a cabinet demolition and rebuild.  Refinishing your existing cabinets can save both time and money and can usually be completed in less than a week!