Whether you own a one-story home or a duplex, a 500-square foot apartment or a 4,000-square foot mansion, you probably spend a fair amount of time in your kitchen. From cooking up Thanksgiving meals to prepping beverages before a house party, the condition of your kitchen cabinets is often one of the first things anyone sees when they step into your home.  

Thanks to the kitchen cabinet refinishing process, you can ensure those first impressions are always positive. Fortunately, the cost to refinish cabinets is far more affordable than a full-on replacement, making it a cost-effective solution for any family.

Are you one of the many homeowners needing cabinet refinishing services in Tampa Bay? We’re here to give you our professional outlook in an easily digestible way. Take a look below as we cover the ins-and-outs of this useful process.

1. How Does Refinishing Work?

Kitchen cabinet refinishing is primarily done to reduce signs of aging in wood and rejuvenate a kitchen’s aesthetics. The process of refinishing oak cabinets and other materials will often look like this:

1. Professionals will disassemble & label all doors, hinges & hardware.
2. Cabinets are thoroughly cleaned & degreased.
3. Cabinets are then sanded down to get rid of the previous finish.
4. At least two coats of primer are applied.
5. The process is completed by applying minimum of two spray coats of high-quality paint.

Note: At Made By Mota, our painting professionals will work on your cabinet’s boxes onsite before refinishing the doors offsite for your comfort. We also offer a convenient dustless extraction sanding method! 

You have a few materials to choose from for your kitchen cabinet refinishing, with each producing a different look according to your design preferences. The most common finishes include:

• Satin Finish
• Gloss Finish
• Matte Finish
• Stained Finish

2. Considerations to Keep in Mind

Homeowners should keep in mind that not every cabinet type is suited for this process; following the steps above with an incompatible material could increase the cost it takes to refinish your cabinets.

Before calling a professional, double-check that your kitchen uses the following preferred materials:   

• Oak Wood
• Hickory Wood
• Pine Wood
• Maple Wood

On the other hand, avoid these materials:

• Plywood
• Hardboard

Once you’ve established your desired finish (and confirmed your cabinets are made of wood), the kitchen cabinet refinishing process can finally begin. 

3. Why Refinish Instead of Replacing?

Home improvements are never a simple topic, but they can often be solved by knowing one factor: The price tag. When research reveals that homeowners are willing to spend upwards of $50,000 on renovations, the financial burden some options carry compared to other alternatives is more important than ever. It’s never a bad idea to cut costs when you can.

Ultimately, the cost to refinish cabinets will always be the cheapest option compared to a replacement. Not only will kitchen cabinet refinishing conserve your wood, but it also allows you to keep a few extra thousand dollars in your pocket!   

Take the First Step

Ready to transform your kitchen into it’s former beauty? Homeowners seeking cabinet refinishing services in Tampa Bay can reach out to Made By Mota at any time to speak with one of our qualified refinishing professionals.