New Cabinets For Duplex
We've bought a duplex that requires new kitchen cabinets. The two inexpensive options seem to be oak (veneer faces) or white (coated particle board)
Any opinions?
Thanks,
Kevin
We've bought a duplex that requires new kitchen cabinets. The two inexpensive options seem to be oak (veneer faces) or white (coated particle board)
Any opinions?
Thanks,
Kevin
I doubt the color will make much difference. The greater concern with rentals is generally durability. The particle board will probably last about 3 years before they are irreparably damaged. The oak veneer(if over plywood} could last 5 or more. Solid wood which is typical in older homes but rare in new homes could last indefinately with occasional maintenance.
White might be a nice option for repainting later. Minor blemishes could be spot painted and having the cabinets white already would cut down on paint costs. I just painted some aged wood cabinets white and the difference in appearance is worth the cost.
We replaced the kitchen cabinets in our latest rental rehab, a 1100 s.f. duplex. For a total of $800 we replaced all 8 cabinets (3 lower and 5 upper), the countertops were another $143. We got them from Lowes, they are the Tacoma series from American Woodmark, oak fronts and doors/drawerfronts, rest are laminated particleboard. The cabinets that were replaced were all laminated particleboard, and had been there since 1977. Bad shape but serviceable. We wanted to replace to help boost FMV. These are the same basic cabinets we have in our house, that are 11 years old, only thing I might recommend are 1) plastic under cabinet tray under the sink, I've found these at Lowes in the plumbing/bathroom section, like $15 or so, and 2) put a coat of good quality clear Diamond Varathane (or similar clear poly product) over all exposed wood. We found the finish on the ones here only protected the wood for about a year or so. This will help ensure minimal water damage to the fronts of the cabinets.
If you have a little more time and dont mind staining unfinished cabinets, they have the exact same cabinets, only with unfinished wood fronts, would have been about $250 cheaper for the total set we bought. That is the route we plan to go on our next rehab.
Hope that helps.