The Pros and Cons Of Refacing Kitchen Cabinets When Remodeling

reface or replace? this beautifuly remodeled kitchen received entirely new cabinets: a full remodel with a new kitchen layout. it’s the most popular choice.

Should You Give Your Existing Kitchen Cabinets A New Look with Refacing?

Your kitchen is the heart of your home. It's one of the few rooms of the house that sees daily use as a place to gather, prepare meals, and spend quality time with your family. The fact is, sometimes your kitchen needs an update, but remodeling can be expensive and time-consuming. So, how can you update your kitchen and give it an entirely new look without undergoing a complete remodel? The answer might be refacing your kitchen cabinets!

Your kitchen cabinets are a functional element and a primary component for establishing your home's overall aesthetic. Over time, your cabinets can begin to show wear and tear. Colors can fade, handles and hinges can malfunction or fall off, and before you know it, the most used room in your home can start to look worn out. Kitchen cabinet refacing can be an affordable solution that can dramatically improve the look of your home. This post will explore the pros and cons of cabinet refacing as a potential solution.

What Exactly is Kitchen Cabinet Refacing?

our client desired a contemporary look and so with black painted boxes and brand new cabinet doors, this refaced kitchen cabinet job has a new look! the modest price allowed him to splurge on quartz, backsplash tile, and a bathroom remodel!

Refacing your kitchen cabinets is one of the most practical and cost-effective options for upgrading the look of your kitchen. With cabinet refacing, your existing cabinet layout and frames stay where they are. The doors and drawers are removed, and a new veneer is applied over the existing cabinet boxes. The cabinet frames and boxes are reinforced, doors are replaced, and a complete refacing can also include replacing hinges, hardware, and drawer pulls.

Because your existing kitchen layout stays the same, and your cabinet boxes stay in place, there's no need to worry about custom sizing or the time needed to replace your cabinets. Refaced kitchen cabinets look brand new and give your space a fresh look.

The Benefits of Kitchen Cabinet Resurfacing

There are several significant benefits to having your kitchen cabinets refaced. They include:

most of our clients who do not replace their cabinets choose to have them painted rather than refaced. it’s less expensive!

Cost Savings, Less Time, and Much Less Disruption – Rebuilding or replacing your cabinetry is costly, time-consuming, and disruptive. Resurfacing is a very cost-effective option. A total kitchen renovation can be expensive and disruptive. Refacing allows you to continue to use your kitchen throughout the process. Plus, refacing your cabinets costs about half as much as replacement!

Wide Range of Styles, Colors, and Veneer Options – You can use any number of natural woods and laminates, and doors are available in any style to fit your home's overall aesthetic look.

No Major Construction and Increased Home Value – If your kitchen layout works for you and all you want is to spruce up the look of your space, refacing is a great option! In fact, refacing can pay for itself in increased home value and make your home attractive to potential buyers.

Refacing is an Eco-Friendly Alternative – Because you keep your cabinets, less material goes into the landfill. Many cabinets are made of medium-density fiberboard, which contains hazardous chemicals. These chemicals can leach into the soil and groundwater. Refacing is a green option because less material is being discarded, and there's no need to use new lumber for replacements.

The Cons of Refacing Cabinetry

There are a couple of downsides to consider if you're considering refacing your kitchen cabinets.

Refacing Maintains Your Current Kitchen Layout – Refacing your cabinets means your kitchen layout remains the same. You are simply improving the space aesthetically. If your kitchen doesn't function well, refacing will not address that problem. Refacing is a cosmetic tweak, not an overhaul or redesign.

Refacing Doesn't Always Save Money - The cost of refacing really hinges on your style and taste. Refacing your cabinets with an exotic veneer, expensive hardware, and solid wood doors can all increase the price of your project.

Is Refacing an Option for All Kitchen Cabinets?

working with a budget? by keeping the cabinets in the same location, even while changing some of the functional layout, we were able to keep the existing floor for these clients. that allowed for them to spluge on new cabinets while still meeting the budget!

While cabinet refacing is available for almost any cabinet, there are some issues that may not make it possible. First, the cabinet boxes must be in good shape. That means there can be no warping, gaps, or issues with the box construction. Also, the cabinet boxes must have a smooth surface to allow the veneer to adhere correctly.

Kitchen cabinet refacing becomes the most economical option when your sole concern is the cabinet faces. If there are other issues that need to be addressed, you'll probably need to have them fixed before you can have your cabinets refaced.

It's always a good practice to consider the pros and cons and consult with a professional to consider your options and calculate your actual costs before making a final decision. If you think the cabinet doors and drawers are your only problem and you'd like a new look, kitchen refacing might be the best solution. However, if you're unhappy with your kitchen's layout or functionality, cabinet replacement might be a better option.

If your kitchen is tired, let us show you all the options, from refacing your kitchen cabinets to complete or partial remodeling to create your dream kitchen! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. Let us help you to take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.