15 Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re thinking it’s time to replace your kitchen cabinets, you’re probably right. There are a number of reasons why Flagstaff residents look to replace their cabinetry, often done as part of a partial or full kitchen remodel, but perhaps the most common reason we hear is: “Our cabinets look outdated.”
Which, in our opinion, is a great reason to modify your kitchen! After the dust has settled, you’re absolutely going to love the feeling you get every time you walk into your new space. If the time has come to replace your cabinets, Outlook Construction & Remodeling is the trusted choice for Flagstaff and Verde Valley homeowners, and our design team is a call away!
If you’re still unsure, we put together a list of reasons why you might want to make the leap. But another benefit of our list below is that it can help you avoid these issues and extend the lifespan of your cabinets. By understanding how kitchen cabinets go bad, you can hopefully prevent it from happening to yours!
#1 Outdated Style That Doesn’t Match Current Kitchen Design
As mentioned, an outdated kitchen is the most common reason to make an update. Not only does it bring joy to the homeowners, it also adds a considerable amount to the home’s appeal when listing it.
Cabinets can begin to feel dated when finishes, hardware, or design trends evolve – which tends to happen about every 10 years or so. You can help avoid dating your kitchen by choosing timeless materials and neutral tones during remodels.
#2 Warped, Cracked, or Split Cabinet Doors or Frames
Moisture and wood do not mix well, and the result is all too often warping, cracking, and splitting of cabinet frames and their doors. Temperature changes and poor-quality materials are also common culprits.
You always want to make sure your kitchen and bathrooms are properly ventilated, or even use a dehumidifier if necessary, to protect your cabinets. Solid hardwoods and moisture-resistant plywood are good options, as cheaper composite materials are far more susceptible to moisture damage.
#3 Peeling or Bubbling Finish that Won’t Hold Paint or Stain
Similarly to item two above, peeling and bubbling of the finish can be attributed to moisture exposure. When water seeps beneath the paint or laminate surface, it can cause the layers to separate—often seen in lower-quality cabinets as a thin film that begins to peel away.
To help prevent this issue, maintain low humidity levels and promptly address any moisture buildup in your kitchen.
#4 Soft, Sagging, or Water-Damaged Wood (Especially Near Sinks)
Pooling water, often happening below the kitchen sink, will inevitably lead to softening and sagging of the cabinets, flooring, or shelving.
Plumbing is more often than not the cause of this type of damage due to leaking inlet pipes, drainage pipes, or garbage disposal. If you spot water under your sink, perhaps flowing out onto the floor, address this immediately to avoid long-term damage (and more costly repairs).
#5 Mold or Mildew Growth Inside or Behind Cabinets
When moisture and darkness meet, mold is quick to develop. Mold and mildew not only lead to permanent damage to all wooden components of your cabinets, but they can also lead to serious health implications.
Stop mold in its tracks by checking plumbing, wiping up water immediately, and installing vent fans or dehumidifiers. A small amount of mold can be cleaned and prevented from coming back by occasionally cleaning the area with vinegar or a mild antimicrobial spray.
#6 Drawers or Doors That Stick, Sag, or No Longer Close Properly
We’ve discussed how moisture and humidity affect wood, but it can also lead to wear on hinges and damage the tracks that drawers slide along.
Avoid damaged hardware and misaligned drawers by regularly tightening down bolts and screws, oiling the slides, and not overloading them.
#7 Loose Hinges, Joints, or Structural Instability
Hinges and cabinet joints can, and often do, begin to fail after many years of constant use. Humidity, as always, is a leading factor in hinge screws loosening and joints separating.
To prevent doors from falling from the body of cabinets, keep moisture low and tighten screws as soon as you feel a little wiggle.
#8 Persistent Odors or Signs of Pest Infestation
Cabinets can smell, and often do when food is trapped or when a home has experienced, or is currently experiencing, pest infestation.
Obviously, pests like mice and cockroaches must be eradicated immediately. After addressing the infestation and thoroughly cleaning, odors should be at bay. Follow your exterminator’s advice, but be sure to seal around pipes, floorboards, windows, and doors to help keep bugs and rodents out.
#9 Lack of Functional Storage or Poor Layout
Lack of storage and prep space is another of the biggest excuses homeowners use to get their kitchens redone. It’s hard to add space without renovating, but you can improve with smart storage solutions.
As mentioned, the only real solution to storage is to remodel by adding more room in mind, whether it’s for pots and pans or counter space. When seeking a contractor to help with your kitchen design, let them know exactly what you need to store and what you plan on cooking to get a kitchen that works for you.
#10 Repeated Need for Repairs or Temporary Fixes
Regularly having to fix something as opposed to replacing it can be frustrating. Understandably, kitchen remodeling can be an investment, and these quick band-aid fixes are cheap.
To avoid a kitchen full of cabinets that always feel like they’re falling apart, make sure you choose higher-quality wood and hardware if you decide to replace them.
#11 Damaged or Deteriorated Shelves That No Longer Support Weight
We’ve discussed sagging cabinet flooring and shelving a bit, but shelves can begin to dip when overloaded (dutch ovens are heavy!) and the material used is of lesser quality.
If shelves or flooring fail, replace them with a higher-quality wood, or be sure to opt for higher-end materials if replacing all old cabinetry.
#12 Particleboard Swelling or Delamination From Moisture
Particleboard is inexpensive but also prone to rapid deterioration, often through swelling and delamination caused by moisture.
You know the drill by now: don’t replace cheap materials with more low-end products and keep moisture away. If cost is a significant barrier for you, there are less expensive options that hold up better than standard particleboard, like moisture-resistant laminate or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
#13 Visible Signs of Rot or Termite Damage
We discussed pests in relation to odors, but termites will literally eat your cabinets – albeit very slowly, but over time, they can cause real damage. There’s also the issue of rot. We grouped these because you can often spot the signs and address them before they get out of hand.
Rot and termites thrive in damp, untreated wood. So keep humidity low, make sure there are no plumbing leaks, and call an exterminator at the first sign of termites.
#14 Hardware Corrosion
Door handles and hinges can corrode due to steam and cleaning chemicals, leading to discolored hardware.
It’s a good idea to wipe down your cabinetry’s hardware regularly; choosing stainless or zinc-coated hardware helps, but, importantly, avoid using harsh cleaners repeatedly.
#15 Loose Screws
Loose cabinet screws usually result from improper installation, selecting the wrong type or size, structural shifts over time, and, of course, our old friend, moisture.
It’s a good idea to regularly inspect mounting brackets and wall studs (periodically), especially after renovations or flooring replacements. You can often fix loose screws by replacing them with better-sized ones, getting new brackets, hinges, and handles, or using shims to keep cabinets properly anchored and aligned.
Are You Ready to Remodel Your Northern Arizona Home’s Kitchen Cabinets?
As mentioned, we really created this article as a way to help homeowners understand how kitchen cabinets deteriorate and potentially fail. If you’re concerned about your cabinets, especially if they’re at risk of coming loose, you need to address them.
We are a Flagstaff-based remodeling company with decades of experience in designing, selecting materials, and installing custom cabinets. We want to help you achieve your dream kitchen, and we understand just how vital cabinetry is to achieving your goals.
Reach out today to speak with our design team for new kitchen cabinets in Northern Arizona or the Verde Valley. Tell us what you have in mind, and we’ll put together an estimate to help you understand what the investment will be.
