Replace the counter top or refinish the cabinets first?
Question:I am slowly working on redoing my kitchen. I have had mixed answers when I ask people. Should I replace the counter top before I refinish the cabinets or visa versa, or does it even matter? Thanks for your help!
Answers:
Refinish your cabinets first, then add new counter top. You dont want to damage your new counter tops! Besides, sometimes it is easier to remove the cabinet to refinish it, and if you decide to redo floors, that would be the time to do it!
i say cabinets first
I'ed refinish the cabinets first.
finish the cabinets first so you don't get anything on the counter
refinish the cabinets 1st.then replace the counter ...that way if you spill a stain or on the counters it wont matter.
if you are replacin the bottom cupboards or cabinets then do them first as you will just have to remove the new counter top to do the ones on the bottom. if you are not replacing the bottom ones or have already done so then you can do the counter top before you do the cabinets that are above.
i would refinish the cabinets first, that way you don't have to worry about any paint getting on your countertops.
I would say if you are worried about the money issue, do whatever is cheapest 1st. I just finished our home & your would be AMAZED @ what a little paint can do for a room & cabinets! I slapped on the paint 1st so that it would NOT get on the countertop (which would be a concern). Then we replaced the entire countertop. Easy : )
OH -- Visit bhg.com (better homes & garden). They have SOOOOOOO MANY IDEAS on how to remodel!! Good luck!!
I just remodeled my kitchen and i refinished the cabinets first and hung them back up . i figured that if i put the counter tops in first i might scratch them when i hang the cabinets.
Cabinets first. That way you won't take the chance of getting any of the paint/finish on the counter top while working. the last thing you would want after finishing your project is to have it look sloppy cause you got finish where it didn't belong.
You need to refinish the cabinets first, that way nothing can go wrong when you re-do your counter top. With your cabinets you might decide to change them which means they might be bigger, smaller, wider etc all that affects the counter. Another thing is if you are replacing cabinets underneither the counter and did the counter first, you would have to take it off to put in the new cabinets.
even if you are just going to stain your old cabinets or paint them, you don't want to take the risk of messing up a new counter.
So definetely re-do your cabinets first.
You need to try to do them at the same time. I assume you are using chemicals to strip the finish so you will need to take them outside for ventilation purposes. And you can't take the the cabinets out without taking the counter off.
As the old saying goes, start from the bottom up. Not the top down..
I have recently gone through this.
First cabinets.
Second do the countertops and plumbing.
Third do your painting or wallpaper
Last do your floors.
It woud be best to refinish your cabinets first for a number of reasons. (1) You will probably damage the counter top (2) By doing the cabinets first, you will not run the risk of damage by possible splattering of refinising chemicals, stains or laquers that you use, not to mention the "clean-up" of saw-dust that you would encounter. Why create extra "needless" work for yourself when you don't have to! Remember, your time is valuable! Hope this helps. Rob
You do the cabinets first so that as you are working on the cabinets you won't be dropping things on the new counter
tops. In other words the counters are the last to be installed so
if you do drop things you will damage the old counter tops.
What a job you have taken on. The best of luck.
the cabients
i vote for cabinets first as well
I would most deffinatley say do cabinets first, and then countertops. If you do the counters first, and while you're working on the cabinets, it gets damaged, you've wasted time and money. If a tool was dropped on the counter and dented it, you'd be pretty mad! Also, it kind of follows the old rule of working from top to bottom.
I'd say cabinets first... that way if you're working on them an accidentally stain or nick the counter, then it won't be a big deal, since it's getting replaced next anyways!
its like cleaning, you clean from the top down so nothing else gets messed up!
cabinets get finished. countertop placed last and sealed into the cabinet area.
Do the cabinets first. Two reasons...first, you really won't know what look will coordinate with your cabinets until you have finished them and second, easier to work on refinishing cabinets without worrying about messing up countertops.
Do the cabinets first and then see how it looks.
Since you are going to replace the counter top anyway, its wise to remove it while you refinish the cabinets. They are first, as the top is the final step. The counter you do not want to dirty with sanding dust or scratch it accidentally with a tool or have some freak thing happen. Its best to get the bases and tops done, then add the counter top.
Go here www.DIY.com or here www.HGTV.com and see more tips for the area you are working in.
Good luck!
Hi~Oh boy . There is a lot worse. You'd think having a new home built would be a wonderful time, & it is, but it's a nightmare too.
Anyway, I asked the contractor we hired & he said it's a lot better to do the cabinets first. He said it's always better to work from the top down with most anything your doing. Saves the wear & tear on the lower parts of your home. Painting, plastering, remmodeling,etc. This way you don't have to worry about getting stuff on new parts.
Good luck, Lynnda
Cabinets first. Because if you are at all like me and do it the other way, I guarantee you will drop something and ruin the new countertop.
The worktops go on last normally.
depending on the extent of your refurbishment though.
I am a carpenter by trade and the way a kitchen should be fitted is cabinet carcase's go in first then the worktops, fix them together and level and seal them.
Once you have done this, you put the doors and draw fronts on last,so you don't damage or mark them. Hope this has been of some help.
I would say, as a former home improvements specialist, that you would be well advised to refinish the cabinets first. Later on, while the cabinets are being refinished or even after they have been refinished, it's possible that you could change your mind about what color and material (formica, granite, polished concrete, etc.) you want to use for your counter top. The other thing is, there is far less of a chance of scratches and chips to the counter from workers tools, if the cabinets are done first.
select your countertop then do the cabinets...that way they can fit the countertop to the new cabinets..its hard to go back and change something and I promise SOEMTHING will come up if you do the top first
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