Hi Everyone,

Has anyone had experience with Rigid Thermafoil cabinet doors. The contractor I'm talking with uses two suppliers (Northern Contures, MN and Quality Doors, TX), and tells me that in nine years he's been working with this product, and with these suppliers, he's had very little problem with this product.

Josh provided me with some pretty negative feedback on Thermofoil doors, which he got off the internet. I passed this to the contractor, who seemed to think that the complaints were exceptions rather than the rule to this product.

I would sure appreciate hearing first-hand how you like or dislike this product if you, or anyone you know, has had experience with it.

Thanks - jess

Thanks for the input, Rick. I had my mind all made up until reading some very negative consumer reviews on it. Like everything, there may be some better than others.

Terry - These cabinets are 44 years old, and been painted MANY times. They've also become a little cattywompus over time. Three options:

1) Replace all doors, drawer fronts hinges and knobs - white rigid thermafoil would match the frame which is painted white $3500

2) Reface - $5200

3) Replace cabinetry complete - NOT gonna happen.

At 44 years I'd say they have earned their keep. Look a bit deeper and I bet you'll find other aspects of that area and the whole room that also justify re-investment.

Try to look the whole kitchen over with a fresh eye. Think what *you* would want if it were going to be your kitchen.

Come up with a plan to do it all and to do it right. Then if that price is really more than you can swallow right now... break the plan down to its parts and do what you can now, but have that plan ready so you can finish the job next year.

eg: paint, lighting, vinyl floor, stove... but only put part of the cabinet project in now, doing them and the refr on the next round.

Good advice Mr R ... Thank you. That's the only way I can do it with this home. Floors are done now in ceramic - new cooktop, and new oven 2 years ago. Granite counters and cabinets are the next projects, as $$ permits.

the problem with thermofoil is they can be easily repaired.

An all wood door can be repaired to some degree and it can be easily painted. Thermofoil wont allow paint to adhere to it well.

I would say option 2.

I disagree that you should "think what *you* would want if it were going to be your kitchen" with a rental. That is where too many landlords go overboard in upgrading rentals IMO.

I'm glad to hear you are not replacing the total cabinetry...so many LL's make this mistake and spend WAY too much money only to learn that most "new" cupboards these days won't last nearly as long or wear as well as the ones they made long ago.

I've actually resisted painting my old wood cabinets and doors in the rentals that still had them in the units when I got the place...I update hardward, varnish them and leave them be...did this all the while only white painted cabinets were "in" and now wood finish is back in many cases. But I also have many painted white...with many coats too. Then again I have low end apts so it's easier.

But countertops...NONE of the surfaces I've seen used in rentals have held up to tenant abuse like good old fashioned tile. Same goes for tub/shower enclosures vs the cheapy stuff all in one's or piece together or cover jobs they do.

I just wish my low end units had plain WHITE tile in those bathrooms instead of the closeout ugly stuff we have LOL.

Terry - As you know, this rental is in Laguna Beach. The Laguna market is SO flooded with rentals that it's scary. All these owners who can't sell, or want to wait until the market gets better, are trying to rent. Their homes have been upgraded to attract SELLERS, and tenants think they have died and gone to heaven with all the offerings.

My options are to either upgrade or lower rent, and upgrades are the better choice for the long haul.

Rick ... in answer to your questions

Josh found this feedback - pretty bad stuff about Thermafoil Cabs

Name: Adrienne | City: Vancouver | Date: January 27, 2006, 0:24

Answer: Glad to see I'm not the only one. I am actually in the process of threatening to sue the kitchen company which installed our cabinets. They are melting, swelling, and are basically a huge failure. Unbeknownst to me, thermafoil is used mostly by builders as they are cheap and by the time they fail, no one is accountable. Good luck to you - if the company doesn't give me my money back, I am totally prepared to take them to court.

Name: J karel | City: Asheville, n.c. | Date: January 10, 2007, 20:29

Answer: They are horrible.They are coming apart since being installed this summer by Sears. They come apart, dent and are totally unsuitable for a kitchen.

Name: Roselle Salzano | City: Brooklyn, NY | Date: March 17, 2007, 10:50

Answer: I too have discovered my kitchen cabinets - 4 1/2 years old are delaminating on the corners and am very upset. I too would like an answer and a suggestion as to how to deal and get this problem repaired. Thanks!

Name: Simon Outmesguine | City: Agoura Hills | Date: March 20, 2007, 18:58

Answer: We had our Kitchen remodeled with Thermafoil Cabinets in July 2002 by a Company that was not only had to do business with, but after we signed the contract we no longer can get ahold of them. Our cabinets need repairs and replacement? Can the Thermafoil Co.Help?

Name: Judy | City: Moose Jaw | Date: May 14, 2007, 18:32

Answer: When we first noticed our kitchen cabinet doors delaminating within 6 months of having them installed new home construction, the cabinet maker was too busy to come and check them out. After 7 years, he showed up, my husband showed him and he said there was a toaster sitting on the counter and that was the reason. They have been delaminating all over, but he will not do anything about them. I contacted the company in Quebec where they were manufactured and they put the onus on the cabinet builder, so we are just out of luck. He is well known for being a very busy contractor in Moose Jaw, but he totally will not do anything about these cabinets even though they started to peel within 6 months of installing them. I will not recommend him to anyone or use him in our next house.

Name: K. Garavalia | City: Rotonda West | Date: July 31, 2007, 15:05

Answer: Same thing with my cabinets and drawer fronts. Seems we should have a class action suit(?)

Name: Janice | City: Powder Springs, GA | Date: August 25, 2007, 22:25

Answer: I have the same problem,but my cabinets are "out of warranty". It was interesting to not onthe cabinet manufacturer's site that their "lifetime" warrranty is only for the life of the cabinet which is 10 years. I called a distributor of this brand of cabinets a 1 door to fit a 24x42 in cabinet would cost me $128. Ha! I have found a place on the internet where I can buy solid wood doors (I'll add the glass inserts) for an average of $50 each. They will even bore the doors for hinges. I only need to replace 5 doors, but they are different sizes. Both doors above the hood and on either side of the stove, plus one more where I used to have an undercounter coffee maker. I don't think there is any way to repair these RTF doors (they ought to be outlawed) & I am just going to replace mine!!! I did read somewhere on the 'net that if I paint the wood doors with a mohair roller they will appear to have the same texture as the RTF doors.

Name: Sandra Beltran | City: Hollywood, FL | Date: June 25, 2008, 16:51

Answer: Sorry to hear about your kitchen. I'm going through the same problem. The doors above the stove are the worst. Someone told me to wait until they completely peel out and try spray painting it. Has anyone out there tried that? I would love to know.

Name: june obrien | City: vancouver | Date: October 30, 2008, 18:35

Answer: We had this therma foil refaced by New View designs and now it is chipping and coming off. The company that installed, New View, refuses to take care of this problem, said I had to call the installer who is now on disability. This stuff is cheap and I paid a lot to have my cabinets resurfaced. Who do I contact about this product and what do I do now? The refacing looks cheap and is chipping off both doors and sides of cabinets. What kind of responsibility does the manufacturer have concerning this item. I feel that someone needs to address this problem and New View in Battleground Wa has to be the rudest company and won't accept responsibility for your product quality. I have contacted Steve, owner of the company about this product with no satisfaction. This product is cheap and breaks off easy. I need someone to contact me about problems or I will need to take other action concerning this product. My contact information is juneobrien@comcast.net or 360 699-5570. New View won't remedy situation even though they contracted the remodel with this product. Specifically Steve the owner and John, the apparent installer who is now disabled. Please contact me with other options to repair or replace this product on my now chipped cabinets and doors.

I have never heard of thermofoil.

We have stained wood cabinets in the house here. Replacing all cabinetry was ridiculously expensive. I had ours refaced; all new solid wood doors, hardware and new drawers cost 5500 a few years ago. We used a company in Anaheim called mr cabinetcare and they did a good job, but it took longer than I expected. I would recommend this company, even given the delay because their quality was good. Their showroom is on La Palma by the 91 (Lakeview exit), and they had a huge selection of styles and colors. The thing I'm not sure of is if they do anything other than wood.

Thanks so much, Carol.

Rick - I don't know. Josh just copied and pasted the consumer reviews. He just googled 'thermofoil' and got this site. I spoke to a contractor who has a 'kitchen tune-ups' franchise, and he was dumb-founded. He said he has had excellent experience with his two suppliers - listed above.

Information concerning this product - WARNING

Therma-foil Cabinets:

Jessica, you're very welcome.

About two years after their installation I had an issue with one of my larger drawers coming off the track/roller. They sent someone out a day or two later at no charge to fix it. They're also a family owned business, IIRC.

Right, Terry - I knew what you meant. We are in agreement with which way to go. I think doing doors only would look cheesy, but probably could never afford all new.

Mr. Cabinetcare carries granite as well as others.

I have ceramic tile here, which they didn't do, but I'm sure they do good work on all of their installations.

h ttp://mrcabinetcare.com/kitchens_bathrooms_cabinetry/countertops.htm

Jessica, I noticed your reply about doors only.

We are on the same page, Carol - you are talking about re-facing. Kitchen Tune-Ups does replacement of doors ONLY, as well as the complete refacing you are referring to - also with baseboards and crown molding. The difference in cost is nearly $2K. He tried to convince me that just replacing the doors was probably the best way to go for "just a rental".

I will continue to gather information. The property is currently occupied, and tenant is perfectly happy with the way things are, but has been gracious & accommodating to making improvements while they are there. We have done a few things already - resurface shower enclosures, replace sinks, and replace all windows - all during 2008. These residents were supposed to be short term, but have been there a year and a half so far .. waiting to find a home to buy.