If you’re renovating your San Diego home’s kitchen or bathrooms, investing in custom cabinets is a smart decision. Trust me – they are better off than normal stock cabinetry. And the best way to enjoy a custom cabinet is to partner with experts from Tinker Houz. Their cabinet options provide many advantages over stock cabinetry and allow you to create the perfect look for your space. Read on to learn why custom is the way to go and the most popular custom cabinet types to consider for your next remodel.

Why buy custom cabinets?

It is customized to your exact specifications.

One of the biggest benefits of custom cabinets is the ability to get everything tailored specifically for your needs. With stock cabinets, you are limited to standard sizes and configurations. Custom cabinets are built from scratch based on your precise measurements, layout, materials, features, and accessories. This allows you to maximize every inch of space and create the perfect functional kitchen or bath.

It has an optimized storage and organization.

Another key advantage of custom cabinets is the opportunity to include specialized storage features like pull-out shelves, wine racks, spice drawers, garbage/recycling centers, lazy susans, and more. Expert designers can help you incorporate purposeful organization so everything has a designated spot. This keeps your space tidy and makes items easily accessible when cooking or getting ready in the mornings.

It has a personalized style and finishes.

In addition to functionality, custom cabinetry offers limitless design flexibility. You can select from a wide array of door styles, wood species, finishes, hardware, and accents to perfectly match your home’s aesthetic. Want a minimalist contemporary look? Or cozy traditional farmhouse style? Custom cabinets can bring your unique vision to life.

It is made from quality craftsmanship and materials

Custom cabinets are constructed by skilled craftspeople using high-quality solid wood and materials. With stock cabinets, you often get cheaper particle boards and laminates. The superior workmanship and durability of custom cabinets will last for decades to come.

It has seamless integrated appliances.

It can be tricky fitting appliances into stock cabinet sizing. Custom cabinets provide a seamless, integrated look by allowing appliances to blend right into surrounding cabinetry with matching trim kits. This gives a built-in high-end appearance for appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and ranges.

What are the popular Custom Cabinet Types?

When working with Tinker Houz on your custom cabinet design for your San Diego home, you’ll have many cabinet types to consider. Here are a few of the most popular options:

Frameless Cabinets

Frameless, or European-style, cabinets offer a very sleek, contemporary look. As the name implies, frameless cabinets have no face frame around the front of the cabinet boxes. This creates a minimalist aesthetic and makes the cabinets appear to almost be floating on the wall. Frameless cabinets also provide slightly more interior storage capacity.

Inset Cabinets

Inset cabinets have a very traditional style, with their doors sitting inset inside the face frame. The seamless look highlights the beauty of the cabinet door style. Inset cabinet construction is more intricate than overlay cabinets. The cabinets have a classic elegance perfect for traditional kitchen designs.

Partial Overlay Cabinets

For those seeking a blend of traditional and modern, partial overlay cabinets are a great option. The doors partially overlap the face frame, revealing a hint of the frame for just a touch of the shadow line. Partial overlay combines the best of inset and full overlay looks.

#1 LOCAL SAN DIEGO CABINET EXPERT

Ready to explore your custom cabinetry options? The team at Tinker Houz in San Diego specializes in creating stunning custom cabinets tailored to your space and style. We also offer beautiful custom countertops to complete your dream kitchen or bath. Contact us today to start planning your perfect custom cabinets!

Are you considering upgrading your kitchen countertops in San Diego? As a homeowner, upgrading your countertops can totally transform the space! From gleaming quartz to rich granite, new countertops not only provide style but also improve durability and easier maintenance.

Are you still in doubt about why you need to upgrade your kitchen countertops? Then, read on to learn more about the benefits of investing in new countertops to enhance your home’s beauty and function.

What are the benefits of upgrading kitchen countertops?

Enhance the look of your kitchen.

One of the best reasons to upgrade your countertops is to simply enhance the aesthetic of your kitchen. Countertops are one of the first things you notice when you walk into a kitchen. Old, worn countertops can make your kitchen look dated and dingy. But, installing a new countertop can modernize the whole look of the space.

Countertops come in a vast array of materials, colors, and patterns. So you have plenty of options to choose something that matches your personal style..

Gain added functionality

In addition to looks, upgraded countertops can also provide better functionality. Older countertops may be warped, cracked, or stained over the years of use. But new countertops are pristine and perfectly flat, which makes them more conducive for meal prep and serving.

Some specific upgrades that improve usability include:

So, if your current countertops are worse for wear, new ones can refresh the utility of your kitchen.

Increase durability

Kitchen countertops see a lot of action! From chopping vegetables to kneading dough, you need a surface that can stand up to years of use. Old laminate may be chipped or peeling. Tile can crack and grout can stain. Granite may etch and scratch over time.

Upgrading to a more durable material, like quartz, means your new countertops will withstand the rigors of everyday life. Materials like quartz are non-porous, so they won’t absorb stains from spills. They are also more resistant to scratches, chips, and cracks compared to natural stone or tile.

Easier maintenance

Some countertop materials, like granite, require regular sealing to prevent staining. Materials like tile or laminate need aggressive scrubbing to keep them hygienic. This frequent maintenance can take a toll over time.

More modern countertop materials, like quartz, are virtually maintenance-free. They don’t require sealing and are non-porous, so they won’t harbor bacteria. You simply need to wipe them clean with soap and water. Choosing low-maintenance materials can save you time and hassle.

Increase home value

Upgrading your kitchen countertops is a project that can significantly boost your home’s value. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, resurfacing countertops with materials like quartz offer a 75% return on investment.

Potential buyers also notice and appreciate updated kitchens with nice countertops. So, this upgrade can pay off if you ever plan to sell your home. Even if you plan to stay put, the added equity is nice.

#1 LOCAL SAN DIEGO CABINET EXPERT

At the end of the day, choosing new countertops is a personal decision based on your needs and style. But if you want to upgrade your San Diego kitchen with durable, low-maintenance countertops that will enhance your home’s beauty, Tinker Houz has you covered. Our team of experts will work with you one-on-one to help you select the perfect countertop material and colors to bring your dream kitchen to life. We’ll handle the measurement, fabrication, and hassle-free installation so you can enjoy a stunning new kitchen made just for you. Call our friendly and knowledgeable design consultants today at 858-201-3219 to start designing your custom countertops!

Tired of looking at your outdated kitchen every day in San Diego? Who isn’t? Those cabinets you loved when you first moved in are now feeling dreary. The countertops look dull. Everything just seems, well, old.

You start fantasizing about a total kitchen remodel–knocking down walls, ripping out cabinets, and installing gleaming new appliances. But then the reality hits of just how much time, effort, and money a full remodel entails in San Diego.

The good news? There’s an affordable way to give your kitchen a fresh new look – resurfacing your existing cabinets and counters. For a fraction of replacement costs, resurfacing can entirely transform the vibe. And the results may surprise you! Read on as we explore pros and cons of resurfacing versus replacing your worn-out kitchen components.  

Resurface Cabinets/Countertops vs Replacing Them

Cost Savings from Resurfacing

One of the biggest advantages of resurfacing over replacing is the significant cost savings. Replacing cabinets and countertops entirely means paying for brand-new materials and labor for removal and installation. In contrast, resurfacing utilizes your existing materials and requires minimal time and work to complete.

On average, resurfacing cabinets costs 10-50% less than new cabinet replacement. For countertops, resurfacing typically runs $40-100 per square foot, while replacement can be $80-150 per square foot. For the average kitchen, choosing to resurface could save thousands of dollars.

Environmental Benefits

Resurfacing is also a more eco-friendly solution. Reusing your existing materials avoids the waste and carbon emissions that come from manufacturing and transporting new materials. The resurfacing process uses minimal water and energy as well.

Preserving the Original Materials

In many cases, the original cabinetry and countertops in your kitchen are made of high-quality materials like wood or natural stone. With resurfacing, you can preserve these durable, natural materials while giving them a fresh, updated look.

Resurfacing solutions like new veneers, paints, or stains can give the same rejuvenating facelift as a replacement, allowing you to fall in love with your kitchen all over again.

Maintaining the Look and Feel

With replacement, there is often a risk that the new cabinets or countertops will not match the existing style you want to preserve. However, resurfacing allows you to maintain a consistent look and feel.

For example, you can match the stain, finish, or paint color of new cabinet veneers or countertop coatings to seamlessly integrate with your original materials. Resurfacing ensures your space keeps the cohesive aesthetic you want.

The Resurfacing Process

The resurfacing process consists of prep work, applying new finishes/veneers, and sealing/protection. For countertops, your installer will thoroughly clean the surface, lightly sand and patch divots or cracks, and then apply special resurfacing material in your choice of colors and designs.

For cabinets, doors and frames will be sanded, primed, and painted or re-stained. New veneers can be applied on top of existing cabinet boxes as well. The process takes 2-5 days, depending on the scope of work.

Making Your Decision

As you can see, there are trade-offs to consider when deciding whether to resurface versus replace your kitchen cabinets and countertops in San Diego. Factors like your budget, desired timeline, layout needs, and sustainability goals should be taken into account. If your goal is a fast and affordable refresh, resurfacing is likely the better choice. But for a total kitchen transformation with longer-lasting results, new custom cabinetry is the way to go.

#1 LOCAL SAN DIEGO CABINET EXPERT

Dreaming of a kitchen that looks fresh and new? Take the first step toward a kitchen makeover by contacting the experts at Tinker Houz in San Diego. Our talented designers will listen to your style preferences, budget, and goals for the space. Together, you’ll decide whether resurfacing or replacing your cabinets and counters is the right solution.

Don’t put off giving your kitchen the revamp it deserves. Contact us or call 858-201-3219 today to schedule your design consultation. We are excited to help you explore the possibilities!