How Long Should Your Kitchen Last?
We know kitchen flooring, countertops, cabinets, and appliances don’t last forever. You could ask yourself, “Should I remodel my kitchen? If you believe your kitchen needs updating, the next decision is whether to make a significant makeover or small changes here and there. Deciding for a kitchen remodel is not a decision that should be taken lightly. For the budget-minded, simple changes can make a world of difference. To make significant changes, you must consider the overall look and plan.
But first and foremost, let us help you understand how long do kitchen last.
How Long Does a Kitchen Last?
Although current décor trends could persuade you to replace your brand-new kitchen, changing your kitchen is a huge decision. Not just because doing so would be expensive, but also because the necessary work would cause a lot of disruption in your house. Work that can prevent your kitchen from operating for a while.
Every time they are worn out, or you feel the need to update your kitchen’s look due to shifting interior design trends, kitchen cabinets should be changed. Kitchen cabinets of high quality can endure up to 50 years. That’s presuming the cabinets have been maintained in good shape.
Let us have a quick breakdown of your kitchen parts lifespan based on our experience:
Cabinets
Generally speaking, cabinets need to be upgraded every 10 to 15 years. There are several indicators that your cabinets may need to be replaced. For instance, the shelves can start to sag and buckle, and the cabinet doors might not close. Likewise, it’s probably time for an upgrade if your cabinets exhibit symptoms of water damage, mildew, delamination, or darkening wood. However, even if the cabinets are in fine condition but only appear older, you might still want to consider updating them.
Countertops
It’s only reasonable to consider durability when investing in a new kitchen countertop. This countertop may be used for several generations in the same house, or it might change hands many times before the stone is replaced in another redesign. Even in hundreds of years old kitchens, some natural stone worktops still shine and are immaculate.
Do your countertops have a long lifespan? How well your counters are taken care of, and the original material will determine the answer. Usually, granites and quartz last up to 100+ years. But this still depends on the maintenance and care you give to your kitchen.
Flooring
The shower is considered one of the most frequently used fixtures in your bathroom, so it’s crucial to get it correctly. Is a shower over the bath be more helpful, or would there be space for a separate shower cubicle? Does the shower head provide the water pressure and flow that you need? Does it meet the requirements of all those who will use it? You should also consider your shower’s design.
Your shower screen will significantly affect how the room looks. Although a framed screen can add contrast to your design plan, a frameless shower screen is excellent for making the space feel more spacious. Flooring is also significant if your shower isn’t positioned directly on the floor.
Kitchen Appliances
The amount of use an appliance receives dramatically affects how long it will last. Nevertheless, appliances are frequently updated before they become outdated due to alterations in fashion, technology, and customer tastes. Gas ranges have the longest life expectancy of all the major equipment in a home, at 15 years. Refrigerators and dryers have a lifespan of 13 years. Compactors (6 years), dishwashers (9 years), and microwaves(9 years) are some of the appliances with the lowest lifespans.
Renovate vs Remodel - Which is the Wiser Choice?
Understanding the distinction between renovation and remodelling will help you determine what is required to modernise your kitchen so that it is a better kitchen that suits your family’s lifestyle.
When you renovate, you refresh the appearance and atmosphere of the space without altering its construction or use. A kitchen is a kitchen, and a bathroom stays a bathroom.
Fixes and touch-ups, such as painting the walls, laying new flooring, and adding cabinetry, are standard renovating tasks. Rebuilding outdated structural elements like a wall or roof is also included in this.
Remodels typically cost more than renovations because they need more work. More expert assistance may be needed than during a refurbishment. This assistance could come from professionals like architects, electricians, or plumbers. Additionally, many renovation projects call for permits, raising costs even further.
Cost, necessity, desire, and return all factor into the decision between remodelling and renovating. It would help if you weighed each element concerning your goals and the state of your kitchen.
Signs Your Kitchen Needs a Makeover
Your kitchen looks old.
One of the typical reasons most homeowners choose to renovate their kitchens is this problem. It indicates that your kitchen needs restoration if you feel numerous methods exist to update it.
Modern conveniences and elements seen in modern kitchens, such as a distinct coffee area and more extensive and better storage space, are available when you update an obsolete kitchen. A contemporary kitchen has less clutter, clearer lines and details, and a more restrained colour scheme.
Remodeling your kitchen will make it feasible to incorporate any modern kitchen ideas you like or can implement in your neighbourhood.
Damage or serious wear and tear.
Do your cabinets split, or do your tiles have cracks? Perhaps you’ve tolerated leaking plumbing or flooring that is now a tripping hazard?
Even if you could repair and address that one problem, many homeowners simultaneously take advantage of the chance to renovate their kitchen. Finishing everything at once may be more effective when you invest time and effort in one task.
Long-term, it will take less time, and there may also be less disruption for you.
Poorly designed.
People usually opt to design a brand-new kitchen because their old one is poorly built, the layout doesn’t operate or function well, or they want to replace the kitchen equipment they already have. To prepare a cup of tea, you shouldn’t have to go around the kitchen. This indicates that the kitchen was improperly built when it was first installed and has to be redone.
You clean for hours.
Your valuable family time could be better spent elsewhere if the tiles and sunken grout weren’t so annoying. Therefore, a kitchen refresh can be the change you need if you spend hours cleaning your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabinets and countertops are prone to the same wear and tear as the other components of your kitchen after a period of heavy use. Depending on the material, they can need a complete redesign every 10 to 15 years because they are not designed to endure forever.
One reason white is a standard colour option in kitchens is that it never goes out of style.
A kitchen that will satisfy your needs and endure for many years while preserving its functionality and aesthetic appeal is timeless. Kitchen flooring, countertops, cabinets, hardware, backsplash, and layout are the primary timeless characteristics to consider.
Building a bespoke kitchen can take between 8 and 10 full weeks, to be precise. This gives you enough time for preparations including planning, purchase, demolition, and installation.
The cabinets typically cost over $15,000 and are the most costly part of any kitchen makeover. New appliances, which typically cost $8,200, come in second. The next-highest cost, often under $6,000, is for the countertops.
Key Takeaways
The lifespan of a high-quality kitchen should allow you to appreciate how it looks without having to worry about wear and tear for well over 20 years. But a low-quality kitchen can become worthless within 5 to 10 years. Many homeowners may spend more time in their kitchens than in any other room in the house.
Your nutrition and quality of life can benefit greatly from a fantastic kitchen, but retaining functioning needs appropriate replacements. You are responsible for keeping your kitchen in good functioning, from damaged equipment to obsolete worktops.
Replacing specific kitchen equipment can be expensive, but having a low-quality kitchen is much more expensive. Besides the obvious benefits of upgrading and remodelling your kitchen, you’ll find that it pays to take action in other ways.
