subject: Are Cabinets An Often Overlooked Element Of The Home? [print this page] As a homeowner, consider all of the places in a home where cabinets are beneficial, let alone necessary. The kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room come immediately to mind, but cabinets have an even greater utility than storing dishes and linens.
Good cabinetry can enhance and transform nearly every room of the home, like a home office, game room, or custom entertainment center. All of these places can be improved by the addition of cabinets. Cabinets are the best way to store everything from pantry goods to files to video games in such a way that everything remains at your fingertips without creating messy clutter in the home.
This homeowner's guide to cabinetry is designed to teach some of the basics. Covered in this guide are some of the most common material choices for cabinets, tips on cleaning and caring for cabinets and a brief exploration of cabinet refinishing rather than outright replacement. Because cabinets can be an expensive home improvement job, some homeowners find it more cost effective to refinish the cabinets they already have. In most cases, refinishing is a viable option, after making a few considerations.
Cabinetry Materials
Cabinets are made out of wood, with maple, oak, cherry, birch, and hickory being the most common woods. Some styles of cabinet are coated with a material like Thermofoil, which adds durability to wood and makes it easier to clean. Maple is a bright wood, a good choice for a light, airy workspace like the kitchen. Of course, maple can be finished darker to give it a deeper tone.
Oak is a timeless classic wood that compliments its surroundings with warmth and depth. Cherry is an elegant hardwood with lovely natural hues. Cherry mellows with age into a darker formal tone. Birch is a versatile wood that can compliment the sparse class of an urban loft or blend with the simple rustic feel of a country cottage. With the right stain, birch can achieve nearly any look.
Hickory is a unique and strong wood with natural color variations than can enhance the warmth and welcome of any kitchen. Depending on the tone of the stain, hickory can take on a natural rugged appearance or be imbued with the deep rich wood tones of a family mansion. Also, woods like oak and birch are available in a more rustic style of cut called quatersawn. Quartersawn oak and birch is cut in such a way to reveal the wood grain in a more country aesthetic.
Caring for Cabinetry
Fresh cabinetry entails a lot of carpentry work, hence some dust. Once new cabinets are installed, dust all the exterior by wiping with a damp cloth. Dust a little bit of the cabinetry at a time, letting it dry before moving on to the next section.
Find a wood cleaner or polish that is free of wax, silicone and petroleum solvents. These chemicals can create unwanted wax buildup or deteriorate the cabinets' finish. Murphy's Oil Soap is an excellent choice for wooden cabinets, both old and new. It builds up a deep shine while cleaning and protecting the wood. Do not use a kitchen dish cloth to wipe down or clean the cabinet exteriors. Dish cloths often contain remnants of detergents or grease that can damage or spot the finish.
For daily care, be sure to wipe up spills and water as soon as they happen, particularly around the sink. Do not drape wet towels or dish cloths over cabinet doors to dry. Over time, drying towels and rags this way can lead to water stains on the cabinet doors. Also, avoid the excessive heat of self-cleaning appliances like ovens and dishwashers. Drastic or rapid heating and cooling of cabinet exteriors can lead to warping of the wood.
Refinishing
Many homeowners need new cabinetry but can not afford the entire process. Refinishing existing cabinets is a fantastic alternative to ripping out the old ones and rebuilding. Refinishing cabinets is much faster and less expensive than installing new cabinetry. Old cabinets are removed, their old finish is sanded off, including the removal of minor damages and spots, then the cabinets are resealed and stained before being freshly reinstalled. Refinishing cabinets gives the homeowner a lot of style choices, too. A new stain alone, for example, darker or lighter, can transform the tone of the entire room.
Take note: Before starting a refinishing job, be sure to examine the interior of your cabinets, particularly the cabinet floors, which can be prone to rotting. If the cabinet interiors are in a bad way, refinishing is not a good option. It will be necessary to install new cabinets.
