Plan to renovate your kitchen? A refacing cabinet project is an affordable option for achieving a fresh look for your kitchen among the various remodeling options.
The following article will explain what refacing means and when it makes sense to reface your cabinets versus refinishing.
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Is Cabinet Refacing Worth Your Time?
Cabinet refacing refers to changing cabinet cover panels to create a stylish, modern look in the kitchen. You may have dents or cracks in your cabinets, or perhaps you want an update, similar to upgrading a perfectly adequate smartphone to the current version.
A refacing project involves removing drawer fronts and cabinet doors so that you can replace the skeleton with a fresh veneer (body surfaces). The gears of the cabinet, such as hinges, handles, and drawer pulls, are also changed to keep it looking new.
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Are Kitchen Cabinets All in Need of Refacing?
It is not necessary to reface every cabinet. That doesn’t mean older cabinets aren’t good options; in many cases, older boxes are more durable than modern factory-made boxes, and they can easily be refaced. Good cabinet refacing has these characteristics:
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To make a strongbox, flat MDF or plywood panels need to be in excellent condition, and a clean hard surface is necessary to attach new veneers.
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With solid hardwoods for face frames, new doors can be firmly attached to veneered faces.
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To justify the cost of refacing, the carcasses should be in good working order (drawer tracks, internal storage elements). If the drawers do not work correctly, the cabinets may lack shelving or storage accessories.
How Beneficial Is Refacing Kitchen Cabinets?
Although a kitchen renovation can be expensive, you can cut costs by refacing kitchen cabinets. Kitchen cabinets contribute significantly to your kitchen’s overall look and might cost up to half of your renovation investment.
If you are refacing cabinets, solid wood doors can add a great deal of character to cabinets. You can also repaint cabinets after covering the uncovered face frames with wood or plastic veneer to match. With this, you can dramatically change the look of your kitchen for a far lower cost.
With impressively shiny surfaces, you can make the appearance of your kitchen dramatically better in just two to four days, even if you don’t take down walls or install windows.
Cabinet boxes can be customized to include modern features and amenities such as broader and deeper drawers, a garbage drawer, and soft-close hardware on cabinet doors and drawers.
As a selling point for your home, kitchen cabinet refacing is an excellent selling point. It enhances the look and appeal of your kitchen, which could explain why your house sells for more.
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Refacing kitchen Cabinets: Benefits and Drawbacks
Before designing your new cabinets, consider the advantages and disadvantages of cabinet refacing. Cabinet refacing has a few advantages and disadvantages.
The Benefits of Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
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Maintains the aesthetics of a kitchen:
If you’d like to keep your current kitchen design and its functional, refacing is a good choice.
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Optional styles:
There are many veneer alternatives for laminates and natural woods when refacing.
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Economic value:
Compared to the cost of buying new bespoke cabinets, refacing could save about half the price.
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Eco-friendly revamping:
Since refacing reduces the number of cabinet boxes that end up in a dumping ground, it is a more environmentally-friendly option. In most cases, cabinets are constructed of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which contains formaldehyde, a toxic chemical. Therefore, choosing to reface them is a more environmentally-friendly choice. As an added advantage, keeping the same cabinets doesn’t require new cupboard boxes, which is beneficial for the environment.
The Drawbacks of Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
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Managing Costs:
Although refacing cabinets is usually more affordable than buying new ones, the expenditures can stack up, especially if you decide to change hinges and hardware, which could bring the refacing cost closer to that of a complete cabinet restoration.
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Inherent Obstacles:
The fix-it-yourself option could be possible, but it can be tricky since, although installing cabinet doors and fronts may seem easy, veneering is a skill best left to the professionals.
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Not Improving Space:
The refacing process does not alter cabinet-box interior dimensions, countertop space, or design, so it may not be an appropriate solution if your existing cabinets do not have enough storage capacity.
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Polishing Wood Veneers:
Painting and refinishing may also be necessary after polishing wood veneers.
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What Is the Process of Refacing Kitchen Cabinets?
Before you begin home remodeling, it’s always helpful to learn how a particular project works. When it comes to refacing projects, you’ll need to know how it works.
The following steps will guide you through the process of refacing the cabinet.
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Taking off the current cabinet doors, drawers, and fronts while keeping the drawer boxes
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Coating the fronts of the cabinet frames with organic wood veneer or RTF (rigid thermofoil)
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Using wood veneer or laminate to cover the cabinet sides
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Installing new door hinges or retaining good current hinges
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Unique doors and drawer fronts are being installed.
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Putting new knobs, drawer pulls, and other fittings, or reusing current ones in good condition
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If necessary, add finishing touches like glass panels, crown molding, and lighting.
From start to finish, cabinet refacing usually follows these phases. Whether you choose to work with a professional or do it yourself, the same processes will be followed.
The process of refacing kitchen cabinets is now complete; it’s time to discuss how long the entire process will take. It will help you prepare for what to await before you begin.
Refacing your kitchen cabinets with a professional will take between 3-5 days; of course, the time depends on the size of your kitchen. If you have a lot of cupboard space, it may take a little longer.
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Each contractor may have a different approach, but here’s how it typically goes:
Days 1-2: The contractor will remove all hardware, cabinet doors, and drawer fronts. Once the hardware is removed, the veneering process will begin.
Day 3: The third and final day may be reserved for veneering, as it can take quite a bit of time.
Days 4-5: Your contractor will attach all of the new doors and drawer faces on the last day or two, along with the hardware (unique or original) on top. Your contractor will also complete any extra detail work required.
However, if you want to complete this project yourself (DIY style), you will most likely have to dedicate additional time to it.
If you have considerable experience with cabinetry, you’ll be a bit slower than an expert. Based on the accessibility of parts and components, it could take a week or more instead of three or four days.
Getting the Cabinets Refaced and Finished
The difference between contractor work and do-it-yourself work can seem stark. However, don’t worry. It is impossible to make a wrong decision here!
Most people will find that employing a professional is a better option, particularly if they lack the time or claim they aren’t skilled.
Alternatively, some homeowners relish an excellent DIY project and may even have all the tools required to do so without much training or effort.
To end, you get to decide whether to reface your kitchen cabinets. You should consider whether you can reface your cabinets yourself if it is cost-effective and whether you need to contract someone to do it for you.
What is kitchen cabinet refacing?
To Bottom Line
Cabinet refacing might be a solid and affordable option for kitchen renovation if the current cabinets are sturdy and in good shape and a dramatically new design is wanted. If the existing kitchen layout is functional, it is also an excellent choice. It may be better to replace the present cabinets if they have physical issues, bad shape, or lack sufficient internal storage capabilities. Refacing your kitchen cabinets will offer you a lot, with very few drawbacks, no matter your choice. Feel free to send us pictures if you do!
References
Homeserve team. (2021, January 05). Kitchen Cabinet Refacing: Pros and Cons. JomeSeve. https://www.homeserve.com/en-us/blog/cost-guide/refacing-kitchen-cabinets/
Is It Worth It to Reface Kitchen Cabinets? Is It Cheaper Than Replacing?. (N.D). Decor Snob.
Good3, P. (2002, March 27). Reface or Replace Cabinets?. The Old House. https://www-thisoldhouse-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.thisoldhouse.com/platform/amp/kitchens/21015523/reface-or-replace-cabinets?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16308529638184&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisoldhouse.com%2Fkitchens%2F21015523%2Freface-or-replace-cabinets
Wallender, L. (2021, August 05). Understanding Cabinet Refacing. The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/cabinet-refacing-demystified-1822044
Izzie, c. (2021, April 04). Is It Worth It to Reface Kitchen Cabinets?. I & E Cabinets. https://www-iecabinets-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.iecabinets.com/cabinet-refacing/is-it-worth-it-to-reface-kitchen-cabinets/?amp_js_v=a6&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16308529638184&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iecabinets.com%2Fcabinet-refacing%2Fis-it-worth-it-to-reface-kitchen-cabinets%2F
