Used Kitchen Cabinets: How to Buy Them?
One of the most essential elements of any kitchen is cabinets. Without them, your place is not complete. However, new ones are expensive. In this case, the best option ever is used kitchen cabinets.
Indeed, one of the most essential parts of your house is your kitchen. There, you become creative in preparing delicious meals for your families and loved ones. Because it is an essential place for you, you may think of renovating your kitchen or getting yourself a beautifully designed one in your new house. While that seems a great idea, the problem is that it will cost you a lot.
This article is going to show you the essential procedures you should take to buy good used kitchen cabinets for your kitchen. Keep reading!
1- The Importance of Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are one of the most crucial elements in your kitchen. They have the ability to define your kitchen’s style. Cabinets are what give your kitchen the wow factor you are looking for. More than that, they are highly convenient and handy.
Due to their importance, you have to make a wise choice when it comes to your kitchen cabinets. There are many types of cabinets you may choose from. The following are some of them:
Stock Cabinets
These types of cabinets are found in standard sizes. They are economical and perfect for you if you have a limited budget.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
Also, come in standard sizes giving more personalized options. You will find a number of design, storage, and style options.
Custom Cabinets
The name “custom cabinets” clearly implies that these types of cabinets are designed according to each client’s specifications. This makes them fit the specifications of various kitchens separately.
2- Materials Used to Produce Kitchen Cabinets?
There is a wide range of materials used to produce kitchen cabinets. These include the following:
- Solid Wood
- Wood Veneer
- Melamine
- Laminate
- Enamelled or Lacquer Board
- PVC (Thermoplastic or Thermofoil)
- Stainless steel
- Glass
3- Second-Hand Kitchen Cabinets
As mentioned before, kitchen cabinets are vitally important to be included in your place. However, some people find them highly expensive and they just drop the idea of having them in their kitchens. Here comes the role of second-hand kitchen cabinets. They are convenient and play the same role as the new ones.
Therefore, you will not only save your cash but also get the cabinets you need to complete the look of your kitchen.
4- Where to Find Used Kitchen Cabinets?
Buying second-hand kitchen cabinets may not be your first option for many reasons. One of which is that you may think that they are not widely available to find them. This is entirely incorrect. In fact, they can be found in many places near you. Here, you will know where to get them:
Architectural Salvage
You can find architectural salvage yards in large metropolitan areas, namely those areas that contain an older housing stock. There you can find kitchen cabinets that have acceptable quality. Note that if you choose this option, you will save not only your money but the environment as well, as it is an eco-friendly option. Besides, you can find other items for your house.
Craigslist & eBay
Craigslist or eBay are good places to look for kitchen cabinets. If you think of purchasing them from these places, you need to wait for shipping and pay for all shipping costs.
The problem here is that you do not get the chance to personally check the cabinets. Because they are used cabinets, you may want to closely examine them before buying them. Unfortunately, you cannot do so if you buy them from these places or any other online place.
reStores
These habitats for Humanity stores are found in the United States and Canada. They offer a win-win situation. In other words, they sell used items that people donate when they renovate their houses. In turn, the money they make selling these items is used to build houses for people in need. Thus, you will get your cabinets at the same time lend a helping hand to others.
Cabinet Shops
Usually, cabinet shops go to the customers’ homes to install the new cabinets. Here they may get the old one. You can give them a call and see if they sell any second-hand cabinets.
Family/ Friends
If people who are close to you planning to renovate their kitchen and buy new items, you can ask them for their old kitchen cabinets. You may buy them at a very unexpansive cost, or they may offer them to you for free!
5- What to Look For Before Buying Used Kitchen Cabinets?
Well, some people go in a rush to buy used items without even looking at them or checking them. Then once home, they find out that what they bought is for no use. In order to avoid such situations, here is what you need to look for to identify good kitchen cabinets:
Damage
You will find that most second-hand cabinets have certain kinds of damage. In your process of finding appropriately used kitchen cabinets, try to avoid the ones that have severe damage if you cannot fix it yourself.
Stains
If you buy these kinds of cabins, you will suffer from heavy cleaning. While remodeling them will save you some money, it will take you more time and effort to do so. The best option here is to try to avoid cabinets with extensive stains.
Build
Make sure that the material used is durable and can resist and it will not fall apart once you install it. If the material appears to be not suitable, leave it and search somewhere else.
6- Other Issues to Consider Before Purchasing Second-Hand Kitchen Cabinets
You must not buy cabinets if they have the following characteristics:
- Missing several items
- Have some broken boxes
- Heavily stained MDF
7- What to Do After Purchasing Your Used Kitchen Cabinets?
Now after making a decision, you probably have your cabinets home. If yes, you have to, first, start cleaning them using soap and water. Then, you can paint them in your favorite color. Now the last stage is to install them.
After choosing your cabinets, you will get the look you are looking for in your kitchen. They will change the whole style and designs of your house.
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Last Words
Looking for good-quality cabinets for your house can be stressful, especially if you plan to get a second-hand one. You have to extensively search in various places to get the cabinets you want. While that may be hard, it is worth it. You will save money and at the same time get the cabinets you want.
Before making any decision, make sure to inform yourself so as not to buy what you will regret in the future. For this reason, we have written this article to guide you throughout the process of choosing your kitchen cabinets. So, enjoy reading it!
While renovating your kitchen, you also need other elements such as a kitchen faucet. So make sure you do the right choice.