8 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets
Whether wood or vinyl, your kitchen cabinets will eventually wear down from age and use. You’ll need to replace your cabinets at some point, but it can be hard to know when it’s time to do so. With that in mind, our experts at JD Kitchens, Baths, & More are here with the following eight signs it’s time to replace your kitchen cabinets.
Contact Marietta’s expert kitchen remodeling services today to discuss custom kitchen cabinet designs, timelines, and financing options!
1. Not Enough Storage
The main sign you need to get new kitchen cabinets is that you no longer have enough storage space. Over time, you get more plates, dishes, pans, and appliances. Eventually, your cabinets might not be able to hold everything you need. Updating your cabinets with drawers to provide more space or changing to an open shelving plan are ways of giving your kitchen a facelift and providing more functional storage options.
2. Not Enough Clearance Space
One common problem with modern kitchens is that builders don’t give the various elements enough clearance space. For instance, each cabinet door needs clearance space in front and to the sides so the cabinet can open fully without colliding with other kitchen elements. Clearance space is most important near the corners of your cabinet tops.
If you have a tough time moving around your kitchen or frequently hit cabinet doors against other kitchen elements, replacing kitchen cabinets will give you more layout space.
3. Water Damage
Kitchen cabinets are often near water sources, so water damage is fairly common. Water damage can eat through natural wood and plywood, causing your cabinets to fall apart from the inside out. Water and liquid damage is most common on cabinets near sinks, drain pipes, and stoves.
Water damage not only harms the structure of the cabinets but can also facilitate the growth of molds and algae. You can identify any water damage from dark spots on the covers of your cabinets. You can also get a hygrometer to test humidity levels underneath sink cabinets.
4. Cabinets Look Shabby
After a certain point, your cabinets might look shabby, no matter how much you clean them. Aging and use can wear down the front panels, making them thinner and less able to hold paint colors and finishes. Old cabinets might look like they have a layer of grime, even with regular cleanings, which is a sure sign that replacement would make the most sense.
5. Bad Smells
Kitchen cabinets typically have a small space between the kitchen floor and the bottom of the cabinet. Over time, water, food particles, and other debris can work their way underneath your cabinets, causing bad smells and odors. If the insides of your cabinets always smell musty, even when you clean them, there is probably some gunk trapped between the cabinet and the floor. You’ll have to remove the cabinets to get rid of the smell.
6. You Are Remodeling Your Kitchen
If you are tired of your current kitchen design, a full-kitchen remodel is a great way to breathe new life into the room. Removing and replacing cabinets is a key part of this process. Cabinets form a large part of the hardware in your kitchen, so new cabinets go a long way in creating a cohesive kitchen.
For instance, say you want to switch to a more open-design kitchen. In that case, you could replace the existing cabinets with ready-to-assemble drawers and open shelving to make the space more flexible and less compartmentalized.
7. Cabinets Don’t Open Correctly
Cabinet doors should sit flat against the cabinet frame and flush with the cabinet box if you have frameless cabinets. One common side effect of aging and wear is a slightly crooked door that won’t stay shut or open. If the hinges have shifted, the door may be unable to stay open as it closes underneath its own weight.
Depending on the state of your cabinets, you might get away with fixing the door so it opens and closes properly. That way, you won’t have to worry about the time and money you would invest installing new cabinets.
8. Cabinets Are Older Than 20 Years
Most natural wood cabinets should last at least 20 years, assuming you clean and care for them regularly. Once cabinets hit the 20-year mark, they can rapidly start falling apart. The wood starts to thin out, leading to rot and other structural integrity issues.
Replacing old cabinets is not only a good idea from an aesthetic point of view but also constitutes a financially sound decision. New cabinet construction materials are tougher and have less of an environmental impact. New cabinets will last longer, saving you money in the long run on repairs, even when accounting for the initial investment of installation.
What’s the Best Material for Kitchen Cabinets?
Choosing a material is the first part of replacing kitchen cabinets. Regardless of which type of cabinets you want, hire an expert to ensure you are installing your kitchen cabinets correctly. The following is a quick list of the most common kitchen cabinet replacement options:
- Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is probably the most common material for cabinets and has a good strength-to-weight ratio. The wood veneer mimics the texture of natural wood. It is also easy to produce and relatively cheap.
- Plywood is another common low-cost cabinet material that is flexible and suitable for many different types of applications. Keep in mind, however, that plywood is less durable than other kinds of cabinet materials.
- Stainless steel is another kitchen cabinet material that is incredibly durable and long-lasting. Steel can easily last for upwards of 50 years, but many homeowners prefer the look and texture of genuine wood.
Expert Kitchen Design Services in Marietta
Whether you need professional kitchen cabinet removal or want to replace kitchen cabinets, the team at JD Kitchens, Baths, & More is here to help. Give us a call today at (770) 516-1602, or send a message online today to schedule an appointment!
The following article was reviewed by Harry Harshaw, who has worked as a Contract Construction Site Inspector III/PDMG/Validations Specialist for FEMA through AECOM/NISTAC, assessing damages, estimating costs, and ensuring code compliance.