Affordable Cabinet Refacing

Refacing Kitchen Cabinets with Synthetic Veneers or Laminate

As technology advances and newer synthetic materials are created, kitchen cabinet refacing continues to benefit from an array of material options. Homeowners often choose to reface their kitchen cabinets with newer synthetic materials like RTF (rigid thermal foil) or laminates. Not only are these materials maintenance free and beautiful, they are also available in a wide variety of styles, textures, and colors.

Laminate Cabinet Veneers

Laminate veneer consists of synthetic PVC cut to the exact shape of the kitchen cabinet’s exterior. This PVC is adhered to the cabinet’s surface using a long-lasting, durable bonding agent. Dependability, simple production and application process make laminate veneers a popular choice among cabinet makers. Laminate kitchen cabinets have the added benefits of being easy to clean, stain & grease resistant, maintenance free and more durable than wood cabinets.

Cabinets Protected by Rigid Thermal Foil

Thermo-foil, a process which bonds a synthetic film onto the kitchen cabinets, creates a uniform, strong veneer. The bonding process uses pressure and heat to adhere a thin PVC film, usually MDF (medium density fiberboard), to the surface of the cabinet. This process works well on almost any surface, including drawers and kitchen cabinet doors with intricate or ornate edges.

Cabinet Finish: Pros & Cons

One big advantage of RTF film is that it can be easily bonded to kitchen cabinet doors with routed edges or raised panels. While thermo-foil films can be applied to many types of designs which are not conducive to normal laminate veneers, rigid thermo-foil veneers do have a few disadvantages. The older technologies of this film could melt and yellow in color after repeatedly being subjected to extreme heat, especially around stove-tops and ovens. Newer RTF films are thicker and more resistant to the type of heat found in most kitchens.