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Kitchen Cabinet Repair or Do They Need Replacing

Kitchen cabinets are a fixture in every home. They are the most used and most visible feature in almost every house, and depending on there use, undergo constant wear and tear. So how do you know whether it's better to repair your existing cabinets or to replace them completely? Here are a few things to look for when determining whether to replace or repair.

Kitchen cabinet materials-repair or replace?

Of course, if the box of your kitchen cabinet is rotting away, there is no amount of repair that can fix it; likewise, if the wood is splitting along the screw holes. Warped wood is another issue that would make replacement a good idea.

On the other hand, something like a chipped place in the finish isn't usually worth replacing. Chips can be fixed with wood putty, just apply, let it dry and sand smooth.

Another easy thing to do that doesn't exactly classify as repair, is to repaint. This can change the look of the entire kitchen in a small amount of time and with a small expense. The easiest way to repaint your cabinets is to sand off the old finish and reapply either a new finish or latex wall paint.

Kitchen cabinet hardware-repair or replace?

Some problems your cabinets may have are easy enough to repair. For instance, a door that closes crookedly or swings open is simply a matter of adjusting the screws on the door hinge. Another common problem is sticking drawers, which can be fixed by removing the drawers, and cleaning lubricating the wheels. However, if the problem is something like broken tracks (more than one or two) or rusting hinges, you may want to consider replacing just the hardware if the cabinets are solid. Replacement kitchen cabinet hardware can be purchased from many retailers, including locally and online.