How to Remodel Metal Kitchen Cabinets

Remodeling your kitchen can be an exciting project that allows you to refresh your home and create a more functional cooking space. If your existing kitchen has outdated metal cabinets, remodeling them is one of the best ways to instantly upgrade the look and feel of the room. With some creative solutions, you can transform metal cabinets into a beautiful, modern focal point. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of remodeling metal kitchen cabinets, from planning and prep work to executing a beautiful finished product.

Planning Your Metal Kitchen Cabinet Remodel

The first step is to develop a plan for your remodel. Consider the following factors as you map out the project:

Evaluate Your Existing Cabinets

Take a close look at the current condition of your metal cabinets. Are they structurally sound but cosmetically outdated? Or are they severely damaged and unsuitable for refurbishing? Inspect them thoroughly for:

• Rust, corrosion, and paint chipping
• Loose hinges, doors, and hardware
• Warping or dents
• Leaks or water damage

If the cabinets are in generally good shape, remodeling will be much easier than a full replacement. Focus on cosmetic updates rather than major repairs. However, if the cabinets are irreparably damaged, you may need to remove and replace them.

Choose a Remodeling Approach

There are a few routes you can take to remodel metal kitchen cabinets:

• Refurbish – This involves spraying the cabinets with new paint or finish to refresh their appearance. You can also replace the hardware.
• Resurface – In addition to painting, resurfacing applies new veneers or laminates over the existing cabinet boxes to totally change their style and finish.
• Replace – For severely damaged cabinets, a full removal and replacement may be best. You can install new ready-to-assemble or custom cabinets.

Consider how much of an upgrade you want when choosing your approach. Refurbishing is the quickest and most affordable option, while replacements provide the most dramatic change.

Set Your Budget

Remodeling kitchen cabinets can have a wide range of costs, from a few hundred dollars for minor refurbishing to thousands for custom cabinets. Determine your budget upfront so you can plan accordingly. Some things that impact the total costs include:

• Type of remodeling (refurbishing vs resurfacing vs replacing)
• Quality of materials and hardware
• Whether you do the labor yourself or hire a contractor
• Number of cabinets being remodeled
• Any repairs needed before remodeling

Leave some contingency room in your budget for unexpected issues that come up.

Decide on a Style

What look are you hoping to achieve with your remodeled metal kitchen cabinets? Some popular options include:

• Modern, sleek metal with a matte finish
• Classic white shaker style
• Rich wood tones with recessed panel doors
• Colorful painted cabinets for a fun pop of color

You can remodel your existing cabinets to match almost any style. Keep in mind that certain approaches, like resurfacing or replacing, provide more flexibility than just refurbishing.

Preparing Metal Kitchen Cabinets for Remodeling

Once you’ve mapped out the project, the next key step is proper preparation. Taking time to prep your cabinets will ensure the new finishes, surfaces and paint adhere correctly.

Clean the Cabinets Thoroughly

Grease, dirt and residue must be cleaned from your cabinets for remodeling to be successful. Start by clearing everything out of the cabinets and removing the doors/drawers. Then clean all surfaces with a degreasing cleaner or diluted TSP substitute. For stuck-on grime, use a scraper or wire brush.

Pay special attention to cleaning inside drawers, around hinges, and the cabinet frame edges. Remove all handles, knobs and hinges as well. Wipe down the cleaned cabinets with a tack cloth to remove any lingering dust.

Sand Down Surfaces

Lightly sanding helps surfaces adhere to new paint and laminates. Use 150 grit sandpaper to scuff up the cabinet fronts, sides, interior surfaces, doors, and frames. Don’t sand too aggressively—the goal is just to rough up the finish to help bonding, not remove it.

Be sure to sand inside drawers and cabinet boxes as well. Wipe or vacuum away all sanding dust when finished.

Repair Damage

Check for any cracks, holes, dents or corrosion damage on your cabinets. Use wood filler, metal patches, sealants or epoxy resin to repair minor flaws. Sand smoothed when dry.

For severely damaged areas like large holes or extensive rust spots, you may need to cut away the damaged section and replace it with a sturdy wood or metal patch. Sand it flush when dry.

Prime Surfaces

Applying high-quality primer creates a uniform surface for painting or laminating. Use a bonding primer meant for metal, like etching primer or epoxy primer. Apply an even coat and let it fully dry.

Priming also allows you to spot any imperfections like bumps or cracks that require more smoothing. Sand again if needed and clean away dust before topcoating.

Refurbishing Metal Kitchen Cabinets

If your cabinets are in good shape structurally but looking outdated, refurbishing them with new finishes and hardware is a budget-friendly remodel option. Here’s how to refresh metal kitchen cabinets through refurbishing:

Painting

Painting metal cabinets transforms their color and helps conceal dents, chips or scratches. For the most durable finish, choose a coating designed specifically for metal. Options include:

• Alkyd enamel – Provides a smooth, glossy finish that’s easy to clean.
• Acrylic latex – Can be cleaned repeatedly without chipping or yellowing.
• Epoxy paint – Ideal for resisting heat, grease, moisture, and scrubbing.

Opt for satin or semi-gloss sheens, which are somewhat reflective for an updated look. Matte paint on cabinets shows more scuffs and marks. Primer helps the paint adhere evenly. Apply 2-3 thin coats for full coverage, sanding lightly between each.

New Hardware

Replacing old handles, hinges and pulls provides an instant facelift. Visit home improvement stores or browse online catalogs for inspirational options. Brushed nickel, oil rubbed bronze, matte black and chrome are popular choices. Ensure the new hardware fits your cabinet sizing. Use a drill to remove old hardware and install the replacements.

Metal Restoration

For worn, rusted or corroded metal cabinet exteriors, specialty restoration coatings renew them to a like-new sheen. Begin by stripping any old paint completely and removing all rust. Then apply a smoothing epoxy primer, followed by a protective topcoat in your choice of gloss, satin or matte metallic finish.

Resurfacing Metal Kitchen Cabinets

For a more dramatic change, resurfacing metal cabinets involves covering them with attractive new materials. This lets you alter their finish, color, door style and more. Common resurfacing options include:

Veneers

Thin sheets of natural wood veneers or plastic laminates adhere directly onto cabinet doors, sides and fronts to mimic solid wood’s beautiful grain patterns at a fraction of the cost. Use iron-on adhesive veneers for the easiest application. They come in many wood, painted or patterned options.

Trim veneer sheets to fit each cabinet surface precisely. Veneer the sides of the cabinets first, then the fronts, using a roller to press out any bubbles in the adhesive backing. Affix new matching veneer edging strips around cabinet door perimeters for a finished look. Seal veneered surfaces with polyurethane for protection.

Thermofoil

For a more affordable alternative to veneer, thermofoil wraps Cabinet surfaces in a thin, printable plastic that looks remarkably like real wood. It bonds permanently to cabinets using heat fusion. The finished result is impact, moisture and stain resistant.

Thermofoil offers extensive wood grain and color choices, since the patterns are printed onto the sheets. You can also opt for solid color wraps. A professional installer can thermofoil existing cabinets efficiently. Make sure to properly clean and sand cabinets beforehand so the thermofoil bonds tightly.

Tile

Tiling your existing metal cabinets opens up lots of interesting design possibilities. Porcelain, ceramic, glass and stone tile can all transform cabinet exteriors with color, shine and texture. Opt for small format tiles under 4 inches square to keep grout lines to a minimum.

Clean and sand cabinets, then apply a coat of primer. Use thinset mortar to affix tile in your desired pattern, leaving a small grout line between each piece. Let set for 24 hours. Finish by grouting and sealing the tiles. Use bullnose edging tiles on the cabinet perimeter for a clean finish.

Replacing Metal Kitchen Cabinets

If your cabinets are severely damaged or an improper layout for your space, a full cabinet replacement may be the best option for your remodel.

Planning Cabinet Layout

Measure your existing layout carefully, including window and doorway placements. Sketch a floorplan of your ideal new cabinet configuration, keeping in mind important work triangle zones between the sink, fridge and stove. Frameless cabinets offer adjustable widths, while face frame cabinets have fixed increments.

Decide details like drawer versus shelf divides, pull-out shelves, rotating corner cabinets and other storage solutions. Visit home centers to browse cabinet collections and layout ideas in person. Many manufacturers also offer online 3D planning tools.

Cabinet Construction

Main types of new cabinet construction include:

• Stock cabinets – Pre-configured boxes with limited sizes. Offer affordable convenience but less customization.
• Semi-custom – More flexibility in sizing and layout than stock. Custom fronts match your door style preferences. Medium cost.
• Custom – Built from scratch to your specifications for a fully personalized kitchen. Most expensive option.
• Ready-to-assemble (RTA) – Stock cabinets shipped flattened that you assemble yourself. Very budget friendly.

Consider your floorplan needs, material quality, and budget when deciding which is best for your project. Stock or RTA work well for straightforward layouts, while custom builds enable maximum personalization.

Installation Process

Once you’ve purchased new cabinets, the general installation process involves:

1. Removing the old cabinets & preparing the empty cabinet frames.
2. Installing new cabinet frames secured to the walls and floor.
3. Mounting each cabinet box onto the frames using screws drilled from inside.
4. Attaching doors, drawers and hardware using manufacturer’s instructions.

For DIY installation, allow considerable time to level cabinets properly. Or hire a contractor to ensure it’s done correctly.

Remodeling Costs

The cost to remodel metal kitchen cabinets runs a wide gamut based on your chosen approach:

• Refurbishing – $2,000 to $3,500
• Resurfacing – $4,000 to $8,000
• Replacement – $6,000 to $15,000+

Factors like cabinet size, materials, custom work, and hiring a contractor vs DIY also impact the budget. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of each method to make the best choice for your kitchen and budget.

Maintaining Remodeled Metal Cabinets

Completing your metal kitchen cabinet remodeling transformation is exciting! Follow these tips to help your refreshed or new cabinets look beautiful for years:

• For painted finishes, clean regularly with a gentle cleaner and avoid harsh abrasives.
• Seal any laminate or wood veneer cabinet surfaces annually to protect from moisture damage.
• Use cabinet organizers and turntables to maximize storage and minimize interior scuffs and scrapes.
• Open and close doors gently to avoid hinge loosening or misalignment.
• Tighten handles and knobs periodically so they don’t loosen and pull away from the doors.
• Use an overhead pot rack for heavy cookware to reduce strain on cabinet frames.
• Immediately clean up any spills, condensation or water on cabinet exteriors to prevent potential swelling damage.

With proper care and maintenance, your remodeled metal kitchen cabinets can stay looking fresh for many years of cooking and entertaining!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refurbish cabinets myself or do I need to hire a professional?

The refurbishing process of cleaning, priming, sanding and refinishing cabinets can generally be DIYed, especially if you have painting experience. However, since kitchen cabinetry is expensive, many homeowners prefer hiring a professional refinishing company to ensure it’s done properly.

What type of new cabinets should I choose to replace metal ones?

Popular options for replacing metal kitchen cabinets include wood species like oak or maple, thermofoil, painted MDF, and laminate. Avoid solid metal replacement cabinets, which will likely have the same durability issues over time. Focus on moisture-resistant materials.

Should I rearrange my cabinet layout when replacing metal kitchen cabinets?

A kitchen remodel is a perfect opportunity to improve the layout and storage functionality of your cabinets. Evaluate your existing work triangles, storage needs, and family lifestyle when planning a new floorplan. However, you can keep a similar layout if the current one suits your space well.

Can I mix cabinet door styles when resurfacing kitchen cabinets?

Absolutely! Mixing door styles, like shaker with raised panel, and finishes, like wood grain laminate with high gloss thermofoil, creates an eclectic and custom look. Just be sure to choose complementary combinations that align with the overall aesthetic you want.

Should I paint metal cabinets before applying new laminate or thermofoil?

Priming provides an enhanced bond between the metal and new surface materials. It also conceals any dents or flaws for a smoother finished look. For best adhesion, use a dedicated metal primer before applying laminates or thermofoil.

Conclusion

Remodeling metal kitchen cabinets opens up many exciting possibilities to refresh your home’s heart with a beautiful new look and optimal storage solutions. Evaluate your existing cabinet condition and style goals, then determine whether refurbishing, resurfacing or replacing makes the most sense. With careful planning and preparation, even novice DIYers can transform the space. For assistance executing more complex projects, don’t hesitate to consult cabinet specialists. With your updated metal kitchen cabinets providing a renewed sense of style and function, you’re sure to love entertaining and cooking for years to come.