Cabinet Modification
Cabinet Modifications are a very effective way to improve your existing cabinets. Often overlooked as a viable solution when doing cabinet refacing or refinishing. Solutions for dead space, awkward-sized cabinets, and when upgrading appliances. It is also a really effective time when countertops are being replaced. Overall custom cabinet modification is a very cost-effective way to get improved function and often improved look where ever you have cabinetry in your home or office.
Project Example - Cabinet Modification - Royse City TX
A very dated bathroom vanity with dead space. In the past this open space was almost always considered mandatory here in Texas. The area where generally women pulled up a seat and “got made up”. Being in the industry for many years William Alexander can verify that is a factual statement. The ‘days of big hair required copious amounts of hairspray. Brands such as Aqua Net were really not much more than lacquer in a spray can. Refinishing the doors of such make-up areas the build-up is significant and it is often just as tough as the original finish of the custom cabinetry.
Obviously, times have changed and the open area becomes an oversized space to place a small trash receptacle. So here we are. A general Contractor called on us to work our magic. We are his go to source for these solutions as well as tricky trim carpentry and full scale custom cabinets. His client wanted more than a shelf for her hair dryers to better utilize the space. Quick and easy access that she can leave them plugged in. Suppose kinda of a two gun quick draw sort of approach. Not my concern why just how to get things working well for the client.
We can easily match the stain and topcoat. In this application we would remove the drawer and cabinet replacing it with a cabinet box. However, the trend is to paint stained cabinets and that was the case.
Modifying Cabinetry
Making this modification happen didn’t require much with the existing. The consideration was made to cut the angled ears square and fasten new stiles. Normal procedure when tying new stiles into existing. This application fitting to angles gave us more surface area for glue, additional lateral nailing in addition to our typical two piece square butt fastening methods. Given the regular use of this new cabinetry, stronger the better.
Not going to lie, joints such as these typically require some filler. Existing cabinet frame pieces often twist over time and making perfect cuts in the field can be time consuming. Being painted it is not a necessity. All the shelves toe kick and frame parts were made in the shop. Ready for assembly, fitting and installation on site.
Let you on a little secret, nothing is square level and plumb in the real world. This little modification did not disappoint in that regard. The goal for painted cabinetry is tight to caulkable joint, less than eighth inch maximum. The geometry in that little space was three eights of inch off on one side, strong quarter inch on the other. A perfectly imperfect trapezoid shape to fit square material to. Another day at the office, a few more test fits than normal, but the goal was achieved.
Fair amount of hand sanding to even out the planes of old to new face frames. Make up a piece of shoe molding to match the existing. 25-30 years ago molding were taller and thicker and this profile of shoe molding is fairly rare to begin with. It was ready for primer and paint to match the new cabinetry refinishing.
Final Cabinet Modification - Cabinet Refacing
Some might call this a form of cabinet refacing. It certainly is a repurposing of cabinetry to a clients desired use. A properly performed cabinet modification is expected to be invisible, not noticeable. Ideally looking as if it was always part of the bank of custom cabinets it was designed to integrate with.
Wrapping up the Cabinetry Modifications Project
Everybody is quite satisfied with the results and came out above expectations.
You can view a couple other examples of our cabinetry modifications here on our Rockwall TX service page.
Modifying cabinetry may take on all sorts of forms. Most common involve new built in appliances. Opening up and closing in cabinetry is part of our service offerings. As is drawer modifications, refacing existing cabinetry. Give us a call, email or text when you need cabinet modifications.