Does Refinishing Really Help Cabinets Last Longer?
How long do kitchen cabinets actually last? Can refinishing them make them last longer?
Cabinets can last a long time. But only if you take care of them. And part of that care includes refinishing your cabinets on a regular basis.
Today, you’ll learn how long your cabinets can really go for and whether refinishing can make them last longer! Let’s get started.
How Long Do Kitchen Cabinets Last?
Kitchen cabinets can last 20-30 years, depending on the wood they’re made with and how often they’re maintained.
What Kind Of Cabinets Last The Longest?
Oak
Cherrywood
Maple
Hickory
* Note that pressboard cabinets do not last as long and can not be refinished. They’re also much more susceptible to damage.
Does Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets Really Make Them Last Longer?
Refinishing your cabinets is a great way to preserve them and help them stick around longer. You can also bring new life to older cabinets, giving your kitchen a much-needed refresh.
How Does Refinishing Make Kitchen Cabinets Last Longer?
Here are some ways refinishing your kitchen cabinets can make them last longer.
Keeping Up With Regular Maintenance
Regular refinishing helps you keep up with the things you might forget about, like the shelves, making sure the hinges are working properly, and checking screws and holes.
Fixing Small Damage
When you refinish your cabinets regularly, you can prevent small things from becoming irreversibly worse. For example, tiny cracks can get bigger over time, becoming so bad that the whole door has to be replaced. Refinishing can get rid of those cracks while they’re still cosmetic.
Some Cabinet Coatings Slow Wood Aging
Sealing wood slightly stops the wood’s aging process, acting as almost a preservative. This also protects the wood from moisture and, on the opposite end, prevents wood from drying out.
Other Ways To Make Your Kitchen Cabinets Last Longer
Here are some of our best tips to keep your cabinets in better shape for longer!
Keep Them Clean
The best way to make your kitchen cabinets last long is by keeping them clean. Dirt, dust, grease, and grime can wear through finishes, get into tiny spaces, create bacteria buildup, and attract mold and mildew, both of which can ruin your cabinets.
Keep The Room Dry
Other than fire, moisture is wood’s worst enemy. Overexposure to moisture can warp cabinetry, compromise the wood’s integrity (strength), and attract mold and mildew. Moisture can also cause paint and other types of cabinet finishes to age more quickly.
The cabinets above and around your stove are the most susceptible. So, make sure your kitchen has proper ventilation, open a window while using the stove, use the stovetop fan, and wipe the steam off of higher cabinetry above and around the stove after you cook.
Make Repairs Immediately
If there’s a small crack, nick, or any other kind of repair your cabinets need, make them as soon as you find them. Not just on the cabinets but the surrounding areas as well. For example, if there’s a leak around the cabinets, fix it before the moisture spreads.
Make Your Old Cabinets Brand New With Mint Cabinet Refinishing!
The best way to give your cabinets the longest possible life is by having them refinished professionally and before they really need it. You can give them a new life today with the help of Mint! Contact us today to learn more.
