When to replace kitchen cabinets?

When you walk into any kitchen, the cabinets stand out among the first features that catch the eye. Not only are kitchen cabinets the cornerstone of a kitchen’s style and design, they are also an essential element contributing to an efficient and functional kitchen. The natural effect of constant wear and tear over the years means that at some point you’ll need new cabinets.

How long do kitchen cabinets last?

The durability and staying power of kitchen cabinets will depend on the circumstances of each individual kitchen. There are kitchen cabinets that last for a very long time, but this is not always guaranteed. For most homeowners, replacing their kitchen cabinets every 10 to 15 years is the norm.

Numerous factors determine the longevity of your kitchen cabinets, including the quality of the craftsmanship and type of wood used, effects of the environment on the materials, number of years that the cabinets have been in use, and how well they have been maintained over the years.

Even in the absence of external signs of decline, kitchen design trends are in constant flux. Updating the look of a kitchen by replacing outdated kitchen cabinets goes a long way to improving the value of a home — not to mention impressing potential home buyers.

Top tell-tale signs your kitchen cabinets need to be replaced

You will know your kitchen cabinets need replacing when there is evidence of the following:

Extensive damage

Signs of extensive or irreparable damage like water damage are obvious signs that the kitchen cabinets need to be replaced. Water damage can be seen in warped cabinet doors, wood bubbling or peeling, or evidence of a change in color.

Mold growth

A mold infestation in the kitchen is a concern that requires prompt treatment. Not only can mold ruin the aesthetics of your kitchen cabinets, but it can also lead to health problems for you and your loved ones.

Short on storage space

Is there not enough space in the cabinets for your pots and pans? Are your cabinets hard to access, do you struggle to reach for items in the back? Are drawers difficult to open or do cabinet doors slam into one another? Lack of storage space can combine with functionality issues to render the replacement of kitchen cabinets an urgent task. A user-friendly style and ample storage space will breathe new life into your kitchen and your home.

Also, maybe your old kitchen cabinets are still aesthetically pleasing but, are they functional? At the end of the day, if kitchen cabinets cannot offer the functionality you need, then using your kitchen on a daily basis can become a frustrating experience.

Do you replace or reface your kitchen cabinets?

Refacing kitchen cabinets might be more cost-effective if the only signs of wear and tear are aesthetic in nature like broken doors and handles or hardware hinges that need replacing.

If, in addition to the aesthetic problems, there are also functional issues to be addressed, it is better to aim for a complete overhaul of kitchen cabinets. When optimizing the organization of your kitchen requires a change in layout, or when the structure of your existing cabinets is in poor shape, then a complete kitchen cabinet replacement project is in order.

Why choose AZ Neighbor to replace kitchen cabinets

Is it time to shake things up in your kitchen? AZ Neighbor is one of the leading cabinet companies in AZ. We are a start-to-finish home remodeling company with a professional friendly team to take care of your kitchen upgrade, from customized design to detailed installation. For more information about what we do, give us a call to speak to one of our design team members.