Kitchen Cabinet Repair 101: Should You Fix or Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets?

Kitchen cabinets may seem like a pretty straightforward storage solution, but they actually have many requirements to meet. Not only do they need to be large and sturdy enough to hold all your kitchen supplies, they also have to be able to withstand dings, splatters, spills, scratches, and dirty hands without becoming visibly damaged. Finally, they need to look good as well. 

Finding kitchen cabinets that meet all these requirements, or having them built by qualified woodworking services, can be challenging. As a result, many homeowners in Fort Collins are reluctant to replace their existing kitchen cabinetry after it becomes old or damaged. 

So how do you deal with this problem? Should you just give up and start shopping for new kitchen cabinets, or is there a way to completely restore or at least touch up your aging cabinetry? Read on to find out.

Can kitchen cabinets be repaired?

It depends on the extent of the damage, the material the cabinets are made of, and whether they were maintained properly over the years. 

Consider the following:

Minor damage

These are surface-level damages that haven’t reached the underlying wood, so they haven’t threatened the integrity of the wood itself. These problems can usually be completely remediated with a professional kitchen refinish. 

Minor damages include:

• Slight scuffs
• Light scratches
• Peeling, faded, or discolored finishes

Moderate damage

This is the damage that has gotten to the underlying wood, but hasn’t yet threatened the wood’s integrity. It can still be fixed by using techniques such as applying filler, using camouflaging products to mask discolored areas, and sanding the wood. 

Examples of moderate damage include:

• Gouges
• Deep scratches
• Surface-level water damage
• Dents

What can’t be repaired

Unfortunately, there’s only so much an experienced carpenter can do before they have to resort to replacing parts of your kitchen cabinetry (if the damage is limited to a small section of the cabinetry) or even the entire cabinetry set (if the damage is widespread).

Irreparable damages include:

• Large cracks
• Moderate or severe water damage
• Termite damage
• Mold infestations
• Wet or dry rot
• Extensive fire damage
• Warped wood

How do you touch up old kitchen cabinets?

First off, unless you have a background as a carpenter, you should always leave your kitchen cabinet repairs to a qualified expert. Attempting to do it on your own is unlikely to achieve the desired result and may even end up causing additional damage to your cabinets. 

Here are a few ways to restore old kitchen cabinetry:

• Install stronger shelves. Sagging shelves should be replaced with shelves that are the same size and shape, but are made out of a thicker wood. This will prevent sagging and prolong the life of your new shelves.
• Adjust the hinges. Crooked doors, or doors that can’t close properly or stick too far out, can all be fixed by adjusting the European hinges. If you have traditional hinges, or if your hinges are bent or otherwise damaged, consider replacing them with European ones. 
• Replace drawer slides. Damaged or worn-out drawer slides are a common issue with silverware drawers and other drawers that hold a lot of weight. 

Where can I book the premier woodworking services in Fort Collins?

Are you in need of top-grade kitchen cabinet repair and replacement? Or perhaps you’re looking to install a new bedroom door or even replace all of the door frames at your property? 

Whatever your carpentry, plumbing, electric, painting, and other handyman needs may be, you can’t go wrong by giving Handyman Connection of Fort Collins a call. Our highly trained and seasoned experts will gladly take care of your home repair and improvement needs while you relax at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery with your family. Contact us today.