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kitchen cabinet refacing -thermofoil doors?

4 years ago

I own a beautiful 1 bedroom Central Park West condo with views of the Park but a very small (8’7” x 4’11”) kitchen which is not so unusual for NYC. I am trying to rent out the apt and the kitchen is the stumbling block for most people who have seen it.
Since time is of the essence and my condo building requires a lot of approvals plus the time and expense associated with a gut kitchen renovation, I have explored the option of cabinet refacing. Home Depot quoted me a price of $18k which would include countertops and a back splash but I prefer not to go with them. There are many posts on how they are too expensive and take too long.

I was also quoted close to $10k by a local NYC company and this would include all labor, cabinet refacing with thermofoil shaker style doors, a quartz countertop and a backsplash.
I think this price is reasonable for NYC but am not happy about thermofoil doors. Has anyone had experience with them?

On one hand since I am renting out the apt and do not plan to move back anytime soon, I think the thermofoil doors look nice and could be fine for a rental. On the other hand to pay $5800 for 13 thermofoil doors and 3 drawer tops including labor sounds high.

I would appreciate your advice here.

Also if anyone has recommendations for a cabinet refacer in NYC please let me know.

Thank you!

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Comments (4)

artistsharonva
4 years ago
I would not do thermafoil doors. Foil foils overtime.

Foil is used over subpar material like particle board.

Junk.

Once it starts peeling or chipping it is damaged.

Here's extreme pictures but shows what foil is & why I never use foil for my clients.

Better to get painted or stained wood or solid painted MDF doors.

They can be repainted & last longer.
Aleena Maher
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks so much.
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Well, don't be offended but I don't like those cabinet doors at all. They are different, but to me they look very 1970's. Not that I think we have to give in to the whole "dated = must replace" mindset. I'd get new doors, if you like raised panel doors (I do too, although everyone seems to be doing Shaker today, but I think raised panel, like shaker is pretty much timeless) Your backsplash, appliances and counters look good. You could of course go with the dark gel stain, or could paint them, , white or gray would look great with the counters and backsplash (or even white uppers/gray lowers) If you don't like oak, you can get brushing putty to fill in the grain of the cabinet boxes and frames. But that is a lot more work, and if its going to be a rental, I'd just get the oak doors and gel stain or paint it. The visible grain isn't a deal breaker, especially for a rental. Leave the counters and backsplash, it will look fine.
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Are the doors and the cabinets a slightly different shade of white? It's hard to tell from.the photo, but maybe that is attracting your eye. I've never done anything other than paint the walls in our kitchen and change hardware, but I've imagined changing it for a long time, so I understand where you are coming from. From my understanding, it would be possible to change out doors and drawers, but again, the cost to paint cabinets can be in the thousands. I entertained that for my own kitchen and decided against it. I think the backsplash would be a more impactful change. My two cents.
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Aleena Maher
Original Author
4 years ago
Further to my email - does anyone have a recommendation for a cabinet refacer?

Thanks.
artistsharonva
4 years ago
If you are thinking of replacing countertops, then getting RTA (Ready to assemble cabinets) is an economical solution. Get painted cabinets with wood or solid MDF doors. Try local cabinet companies. They often will assemble for you. They are approximately 35% less than Lowes & Home Depot. Get extra touch up paint to do touch ups. The factory painted cabinets finish is more durable then a paint job. That's what my rental clients use.

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