Author: higherimages

In recent years, the convenience and perceived lower costs of big box stores have made them an attractive option for homeowners who want to remodel their homes. However, this trend overlooks several critical disadvantages that can ultimately compromise your renovation project’s quality, customization, and satisfaction.
In this post, we’ll explore why choosing a specialized contractor, like Desirable Kitchens and Refacing, might be the better choice for your next home improvement venture.

The Pitfalls of Limited Customization

One of the most significant drawbacks of opting for a big box store for your remodeling project is the lack of customization options. While these stores offer a wide range of products, they typically cater to a broad audience with generic tastes. This one-size-fits-all approach can significantly limit your ability to personalize your home to your style and needs.

Whether it’s kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, or flooring options, the selections available at big box stores often lack the uniqueness and character that specialized contractors can provide through custom solutions tailored specifically to your home.

Quality vs. Quantity

Another area where big box stores frequently fall short is in the quality of both materials and workmanship. In their quest to offer competitive prices, these retailers often stock products that are mass-produced using cheaper materials and manufacturing processes. This can lead to lower-quality finishes and fixtures that wear out faster and need replacing sooner than those sourced from specialty suppliers.

Furthermore, big box stores generally outsource their installation services to third-party contractors, making it harder to ensure consistent quality and accountability throughout your project.

When you work with the expert team at Desirable Kitchens and Refacing, you can trust that your renovation is in the hands of skilled professionals who use top-quality materials and techniques to ensure a long-lasting, high-quality finish.

The Importance of Customer Service

Personalized customer service is crucial during any remodeling project, but it’s often lacking in big-box store experiences. Navigating a large-scale renovation requires thoughtful planning, expert guidance, and responsive support—something that’s hard to find in the aisles of a sprawling retail environment.

On the other hand, specialized contractors prioritize customer service, offering dedicated attention and expertise to help you make informed decisions and address any concerns that arise during the process. They can assist you with answering questions, making recommendations, and helping you navigate any unforeseen circumstances or challenges that may arise with the project.

Pricing Misconceptions

One of the most common reasons homeowners gravitate towards big box stores is the belief that they’ll save money. However, this isn’t always the case. While the sticker prices on products might seem lower, the overall cost of a remodel can quickly escalate once you factor in installation, delivery, and the potential need for future repairs or replacements due to lower-quality materials.

Additionally, if you purchase the wrong or low-quality materials, you may spend more on repairs and replacements in the long run. Working with a specialized contractor can help you avoid these hidden costs and ensure that your remodel stays within budget.

Specialized contractors like Desirable Kitchens and Refacing can often provide more accurate, upfront pricing that encompasses the entire scope of the project, ensuring there are no hidden costs or surprises.

DIY Remodeling vs. Using a Home Remodeling Contractor

Many homeowners are tempted to take on DIY remodeling projects or hire a general handyman for their renovation needs. While this may seem like a cost-effective solution, it often results in subpar workmanship and inconsistent quality. Attempting to take on a remodeling project yourself without proper tools, knowledge, or training can not only result in a poor renovation but can also create safety hazards and make a major dent in your budget.

Hiring a specialized contractor means working with professionals who have specific training and expertise in home renovations, ensuring that your project is completed correctly and efficiently. With Desirable Kitchens and Refacing, you can trust that your project is in the hands of experienced professionals who will deliver exceptional result.

The Value of Expertise and Experience

Remodeling your home is a significant investment, and you want to make sure it’s done right. A specialized contractor brings years of experience to the table, helping you navigate design choices, anticipate potential challenges, and ultimately deliver exceptional results that meet or exceed your expectations.

Don’t compromise on the quality and satisfaction of your home remodel by choosing a big box store. Instead, consider working with a specialized contractor like Desirable Kitchens and Refacing for a personalized, high-quality experience that will enhance the functionality and beauty of your home for years to come.

Work with Desirable Kitchens and Refacing for a Quality Remodeling Experience

While big box stores might seem like a convenient and cost-effective option for home remodeling projects, the limitations in customization, quality, customer service, and transparent pricing can significantly detract from the value and satisfaction of your renovation.

By choosing a specialized contractor, you’re investing in a partner who can offer personalized designs, high-quality materials, and dedicated support throughout your project, ensuring the result is exactly as you envisioned.

Ready to transform your kitchen into the heart of your home without compromising on quality, customization, or support? Contact Desirable Kitchens and Refacing today to discover how our services can bring your vision to life with the attention to detail and expertise your home deserves.

Kitchen cabinets represent the core of the kitchen and are a significant part of a home’s overall look. When it comes to sprucing up your kitchen, one of the best ways to give it a fresh and updated look is by replacing old cabinet knobs with new ones. The right kitchen cabinet knob style represents your kitchen’s personality, so choosing the right style is crucial. In this blog, we’ll take you through the most popular kitchen cabinet knob styles to help you make an informed decision.

Ceramic Cabinet Knobs – Ceramic cabinet knobs are incredibly versatile and come in various shapes, colors, and designs. They’re perfect for farmhouse-style kitchens or traditional kitchens with a vintage twist. These knobs also work well as contrast pieces on modern kitchen cabinets. Ceramic knobs add a burst of color to an otherwise bland kitchen, and they don’t always have to be plain white.

Glass Cabinet Knobs – Glass knobs give a kitchen a unique touch. For homes that feature glass accent pieces, such as modern glass-top tables or glass lighting fixtures, the glass cabinet knob is the perfect fit for that cohesive look. These knobs have a timeless appeal and match a wide range of kitchen styles from contemporary to traditional.

Metal Cabinet Knobs – When it comes to cabinet knobs, nothing beats metal for durability. Metal cabinet knobs never go out of style and complement any kitchen style. Options include brass, chrome, nickel, and stainless steel, and they bring a sense of sophistication and elegance to your kitchen.

Wood Cabinet Knobs – Wood knobs emphasize the natural warmth of the kitchen and are an ideal choice for those looking for a rustic look. They’re also perfect for kitchens with wooden cabinets and wood countertops. The wood cabinet knobs come in various types of wood from maple to cherrywood.

Crystal Cabinet Knobs – Crystal cabinet knobs are an eye-catching addition to modern kitchens. They reflect light to brighten up your kitchen and come in various colors and sizes. They work well with modern styles and glam kitchens and add a dazzling and shiny touch to your cabinets.

Replacing your kitchen cabinet knobs is a fun and cost-effective way to revamp your kitchen’s entire look and feel. Customize your cabinets’ style by selecting from these various materials, shapes, and sizes of cabinet knobs to transform your kitchen into a beautiful and cohesive unit. Take your time in choosing the perfect cabinet knobs for your cooking space. Ultimately, the knob style you choose should complement your kitchen’s color, style, and overall design. Get started on your kitchen renovation project today by selecting the perfect kitchen cabinet knob style.

Kitchen Cabinet Components

Face Frames and Boxes

Cabinet Hardware

Kitchen Cabinet Toe Kicks

Kitchen Cabinet Shelves

Cabinet Doors & Drawer Fronts

Sound Dampening Bumpers

Cabinet Installation Services in Pittsburgh

Refacing your kitchen cabinets is a great way to refresh the look of your kitchen without the cost and hassle of replacing all the cabinets. If your cabinets are outdated or worn, refacing can provide them with a brand-new look that you can enjoy for years to come.

You may be wondering if refaced cabinets can peel, and how long they last. First, lets take a quick look at the process, then we can go into how long the results can last.

Cabinet Refacing Process

Cabinet refacing is a process where the original doors and drawer fronts are removed from the cabinets and replaced. The cabinet boxes are reinforced and repaired as needed and are also refaced with veneers or refinished to match the new drawer fronts and cabinet doors.

This process provides you with cabinets that look brand new at a lower cost than a total cabinet replacement. If your cabinet boxes are still good, why replace them? You only have to change the part of your cabinets that is visible unless you have the space in your kitchen, and need bigger cabinets.

DIY Cabinet Refacing vs. Professional Refacing

While you may think you can save time and money refacing your cabinets yourself, the DIY techniques available are not always the most durable, and a lack of experience in the application of these techniques can produce results that do not last as long.

Many techniques include laminate cabinet refacing, which will peel and chip over time if the laminate sheets are installed in a way that excess hangs over the edge of cabinet door openings and gets caught on the door when it opens, or if the doors are not spaced correctly and the corners touch. Once the laminate begins to peel or chip, it’s downhill from there.

If you are looking for refacing techniques that last, it is best to trust the professionals at Desirable Kitchens and Refacing. Our experienced team has the tools, materials, and knowledge to reinforce your cabinets and reface them with a fresh look that will last for years to come.

How Long Will it Take to Reface My Cabinets?

The length of time to complete your cabinet refacing project will depend on a variety of factors, such as the size of your kitchen and how structurally sound your cabinet boxes are. If you have a larger kitchen with cabinets that require more repairs, then it will take longer to complete than a smaller kitchen with cabinets in good repair.

More ornate door styles can also take longer to finish, as well as if you opt for techniques such as antiquing. On average, you can expect your refacing project to take about five days.

How Long Will My Refaced Cabinets Last?

Using an established company with proven methods is the key to getting refaced kitchen cabinets that don’t look cheap and can last decades.

Low-End Cabinet Refacing

Some companies use a lower-end process that applies laminate to upgrade the look of the cabinet surfaces. At first, they might appear fine. However, over time, they’ll wear out, peel, chip, and fade. Laminate is also prone to water damage, which can cause them to swell and look bubbly when water gets behind the film. In addition, laminate will feel artificial when compared to hardwood doors and panels or a quality wood veneer that is expertly applied.

High-End Cabinet Refacing

With a high-end refacing process, we’ll remove the cabinet doors and drawer fronts and replace them with new, custom-made, solid wood doors. We also don’t cover cabinet boxes with cheap laminate. We’ll paint them or use a quality veneer to ensure the final product looks beautiful and also stands up to wear and tear.

Professional Cabinet Refacing Services

Our experienced team can help you refresh your old cabinets and give them new life! To learn more about our cabinet refacing services, contact us today to learn more!

When remodeling your kitchen, changing the look of the cabinets is one of the main updates that you’ll want to make. Instead of tearing out your cabinets that are structurally sound, consider cabinet refacing for a fresh new look.

With cabinet refacing, you get all the benefits of new cabinets at a fraction of the cost.

What Is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing is a kitchen remodeling process where the old cabinet doors and drawer fronts are replaced with the desired cabinet door replacements. Then the cabinet face frames are also refaced at this time with wood veneers or other finishing methods to match the newly refaced doors and drawer fronts.

How Does Cabinet Refacing Work?

At Desirable Kitchens, we specialize in cabinet refacing. It is recommended that you use a professional for cabinet refacing. You can DIY this process with the right skills, patience, and a veneer kit that has wood veneers and application materials. You will also need to special order the cabinet doors and drawer fronts.

Our process for cabinet refacing is as follows:

During a cabinet refacing project we remove the cabinet doors and drawers. We also remove the fronts of the drawers, leaving the rest of the drawer boxes intact.
We then cover the front portions of the cabinet boxes with a natural wood veneer or a melamine-based product called RTF.
The cabinet sides are then skinned with laminate or wood veneer.
If needed, we will add new door hinges or reuse the existing hinges as long as they are in good condition.

The new door fronts and drawer fronts are attached, along with new handles, drawer pulls, and other necessary fixtures are added. We can rescue your current hardware if it is in good condition.
We also offer additional accessories such as glass panels, lighting, or crown molding that can be installed along with your refreshed cabinets.

How Long Does Cabinet Refacing Take?

When you work with the professionals at Desirable Kitchens, you can expect cabinet refacing to take roughly 2-4 days. The length of time will depend on the size of your kitchen.

For a 3-day refacing job, you can expect us to arrive on Day 1 to remove the doors, hardware, and drawer fronts and begin veneering. Day 2 would be spent continuing the veneering, and Day 3, we will finish the veneering and then install that new door, drawer fronts, and hardware.

Pros and Cons of Cabinet Refacing

Pros

• You can keep the same kitchen layout during your remodel.
• There are a variety of style options to choose from to meet the look of your new kitchen.
• You get new-looking cabinets for about half the cost of installing brand new cabinets.

Cons

• Cabinet refacing is not a good option if you need to change the layout of your kitchen. Layout changes and additional countertop space will not be possible with refacing.
• You can change the box interiors. If your cabinet interiors lack shelving or storage accessories, updating them may be expensive.
• Attempting to reface cabinets on your own can be challenging and requires a lot of skill and patience to accomplish correctly.

Can My Cabinets Be Refaced?

Unfortunately, not all cabinets are candidates for refacing. When evaluating your cabinets to determine if they can be refaced, we look for the following qualities:

• Durable box construction made from MDF panels or plywood. These panels must be smooth so we can add the new veneers and ensure they adhere correctly.
• Sturdy face frames made of solid hardwood will allow the veneers to adhere and will provide a solid foundation for the new cabinet doors.
• Internal hardware in good working order. Everything from the drawer tracks to the internal storage elements should be in good shape. If they are not operating smoothly or your cabinet lack storage shelving or accessories, you may be better off purchasing new cabinets instead of refacing.

If you want to learn more about cabinet refacing, read: What is refacing?

Ready to Reface Your Cabinets? Desirable Kitchens and Refacing Can Help!

Our expert team specializes in cabinet refacing that Pittsburgh homeowners can rely on. Contact us today to learn more!