How Often Should I Replace My Kitchen Cabinets?

As with most furniture in your home, kitchen cabinets serve the dual purpose of functionality and appearance. Refacing your cabinets might be a good idea if they have some casual wear and tear. Capital Kitchen Refacing, LLC offers kitchen cabinet refacing in Doylestown, PA, and the surrounding areas that can get them looking like new again.

However, if they have water damage or poor overall function, you should consider replacing your cabinets. New kitchen cabinets made from high-quality materials provide long-term benefits for your home. Knowing how often to replace kitchen cabinets can help you make the right decision.

How Long Do Kitchen Cabinets Last?

Cabinets are one of the longest-lasting parts of a kitchen. The amount of time they last will vary depending on the quality of wood you choose for your kitchen cabinets.

Most kitchen cabinets last 15–25 years, but a high-quality cabinet can last 50 years. However, frequent use can decrease their lifespan. Most people use their kitchen cabinets frequently, so consider replacing them every ten years.

If you’re deciding whether your kitchen cabinets need to be replaced, think about whether you plan to complete a kitchen remodel. It’s important to choose cabinets that match your current and possible future appliances. For this reason, classic-style cabinets are the safest investment because they fit with almost any kitchen design.

Signs You Should Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets

When deciding how often to replace kitchen cabinets, a few signs indicate it’s the right time. If your kitchen cabinets have any of the following issues, you should consider replacing them.

Poor Functionality

If your kitchen cabinets aren’t functioning properly, it’s a sign you might want to replace them. Wear and tear may gradually affect their operation. You may need to remove items to reach other objects in the back of your cabinets, or you may find that opening two cabinet doors simultaneously causes them to collide. These are both signs that your cabinets have poor functionality and it’s time to replace them.

Weak Structure

Check the wall attachment when deciding whether to reface or replace your kitchen cabinets. Open them and feel around the inside, including the walls. If the inside walls of your cabinets feel soft, they have a weak structure. You may have a water leak somewhere if you see dampness or mold. Kitchen cabinets that suffer water damage become weak and can fall apart. It’s not worth your time and money refacing them — instead, choose to replace them with new ones.

Water Damage

Are your cabinets swollen, showing dark spots, or not closing properly? If so, your problem might be water damage. Unfortunately, water damage is a common occurrence with wood cabinets. There’s always a lot of water flowing in your kitchen, so a leak can wreak havoc on your cabinets. If you suspect a leak, find its source and repair it before drying out your cabinets. In some instances, minor water damage is repairable, but in most cases you’ll need to replace them.

End of Warranty

The question of how often to replace kitchen cabinets should take into account warranty coverage. A good time to replace your kitchen cabinets is when their warranty is nearing its end. Find out how long the warranty lasts and consider making the change when it’s about to expire. When your cabinets have warranty coverage, refacing them is usually inexpensive, but once the warranty expires, the costs of refacing can skyrocket. That’s why it makes sense to shop for a new set when your contract expires.

Reface or Replace? Either Way, Capital Kitchen Refacing, LLC Is Ready to Help!

Whether you need to reface your kitchen cabinets or are ready for a complete kitchen remodel, the team at Capital Kitchen Refacing, LLC is ready to help you. We repair and install kitchen cabinets in Doylestown, PA, and throughout Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

Don’t wait another day to get the kitchen of your dreams. Contact our team today for a free estimate!