A Simple Job
Refacing your cabinetry typically involves
the replacement of doors and drawer fronts and
the resurfacing of your cabinet faces to match.
It's a simple process that can breathe a fresh
new life into tired, old and outdated kitchens.
Rockler's cabinet refacing program makes
refacing a quick and simple job with the
following three-step method.
Before You Begin!
Choose your hinges before you order or make
new doors for your cabinets. The style of hinge
that you choose will determine the size of doors
you will need. Please read our
article on hinges before proceeding.
Step #1: Choose Your New Door, Drawer Fronts
& End Panels
Update your cabinetry by adding doors and
drawer fronts that match the fit and finish of
your existing cabinetry. You can make your own
doors and drawer fronts, or have them
custom-made through Rockler's Door and Drawer
program. Old, broken down drawers can also be
replaced entirely. With plenty of styles to
choose from, buying them ready-made from
Rockler's custom door and drawer program is
an affordable alternative that can save lots of
time and energy. If new doors and drawer fronts
alone won't complete the job to your
satisfaction, the option of refacing your
existing surfaces' end panels and face frames is
a great way to coordinate existing casework with
your new doors and drawer fronts.
Note: Drawers that are in good
condition may need only to have their drawer
slides replaced. If the replacement of broken
drawer slides is necessary, see Rockler's
selection of
Drawer Slides.
Step #2: Choose Your Refacing Alternative
Once you've selected your new door and drawer
front styles, you can decide on a refacing
alternative to match.
Veneer and wood surfaces
or Rigid Thermo Foil
(RTF) laminate are Rockler's suggested refacing
methods. For the look and feel of a wood
surface, Rockler recommends
Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) wood veneer
and 3/16" plywood end panels. Door and drawer
fronts of solid wood or matching PSA veneers are
available in red oak, cherry, maple, ash, and
hickory. Or, a matte white finish is also
available in a durable RTF laminate on a solid
MDF core. The advantages of each are listed
below.
Advantages of Wood
Wood offers the beauty, elegance, depth and
texture that can only come from a natural wooden
surface. Wood covering can be easily installed
with a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) wood
veneer that perfectly matches your doors and
drawer fronts. PSA Veneers are self-adhering and
offer "peel and stick" simplicity. Clean up goes
fast because there are no messy glues or cements
required. For extra durability around corners,
solid wood are available. However, solid
wood will require more work and expense. Plywood
panel doors are a select grade with solid wood
frames for a durable and lasting emplacement.
Advantages of RTF
RTF technology is a flexible and durable
vinyl foil laminate that is pressure molded over
a lasting substrate. A state-of-the-art
laminating process creates a surface that is
many times more rugged and hardier than paint or
finish. It can be molded into a wide range of
styles such as raised panel or cathedral arches.
This is an excellent alternative for a durable
and washable matte finish.
Step #3: The Refacing Process