Expert: Jamie Yocono - 9/23/2007

Question
Hello,

I wish to renovate my bathroom cabinet, but the plumbing makes a right angle into the wall instead of the ground, limiting my options. I figure the most cost effective option is to resurface my exisiting cabinet.

If I applied wood veneer to the existing melamine surface, will it stay in place?

Any suggestions to how to accomplish this?

TIA

Patti

Answer
Hi Patti,

I understand your question, but don't quite get the first part- where you said because the drain goes into the wall, rather than the floor, your options are limited. In almost every bathroom I've ever remodeled, the drain is in the wall, so it's a pretty common location, as far as I know.

If you want to replace the vanity, most bathroom vanities come without a back, so that you can access the shutoffs and the drain. All you would need to do is measure your existing vanity (width) and then decide if you can need a normal depth or the shallower depth. Bathroom vanities come in two different depths, unlike kitchen cabinets.

But if you would rather resurface your existing cabinet, you can do that too. But- I would have to recommend against using wood veneer over melamine. I've never had much luck with wood veneer as a resurfacing material. It's prone to bubbling, in my opinion. I have tried (on a smaller scale) adhering wood veneer to melamine and not been happy with the results at all. I think that in a bathroom environment, it could be worse, because of the humidity. So I would suggest something different, like plastic laminate or even some of the metal panels I've been seeing recently.

I suggest you reconsider either switching to a new cabinet, or try a more simple solution- - new doors and drawer faces. Sometimes just replacing those give you a whole new look in a room. Just a thought.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but I really do think putting wood veneer over melamine is a bad idea. It just doesn't adhere that well. At least, it's never worked well for me!

Good luck, write back if you have more questions, I'd be happy to try and help you out with more information.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com