Refinishing vs Refacing Cabinets: Which is Best for You?

Renovating your cabinets can breathe new life into your kitchen or space. But how do you choose what to do when it comes to refinishing vs refacing cabinets in your home?

In this article, we’ll explore the options and help you make the right decision that fits your style, budget, and long-term plans.

What is Cabinet Refinishing

Refinishing cabinets means working with your existing cabinets and improving their appearance. It involves a step-by-step process to make them look brand new again.

Preparation: First, the cabinets are prepared by removing hardware, such as knobs and handles. This ensures a smooth and clean surface to work with.
Sanding: Next, the cabinets are sanded down to remove the old finish or paint. This helps create a smooth surface for the new finish to adhere to.
Sealing: Lastly, a protective sealant is applied to the cabinets to make them durable and resistant to everyday wear and tear.
Staining or Painting: After sanding, you can stain the wood to enhance its natural beauty or paint the cabinets to match your desired color scheme. Both options can completely transform the look of your cabinets.

Benefits Of Cabinet Refinishing

Let’s discover the three main benefits of cabinet refinishing, an affordable and customizable option to revitalize the appearance of your cabinets and breathe new life into your space.

Cost-effectiveness: Refinishing cabinets is often more budget-friendly than other renovation options. You get to keep your existing cabinets, avoiding the cost of replacing them entirely.
Versatility and Customization: With refinishing, you have a wide range of options to choose from. You can select different finishes, stains, or paint colors to match your style and create a personalized look for your cabinets.
Minimal Disruption: Refinishing cabinets usually takes less time and causes less disruption to your home compared to more extensive renovation projects. It's a great option if you want to refresh your kitchen or any space without major upheaval.

Considerations for Refinishing Cabinets

Before refinishing kitchen cabinets, it’s important to assess their current condition. Make sure they are structurally sound and don’t have significant damage that might require more extensive repairs.

While refinishing can work wonders in enhancing your cabinets’ appearance, it has limitations. For instance, it doesn’t allow you to change the layout or add new features to your cabinets. It primarily focuses on surface aesthetics.

Refinishing cabinets can be an excellent choice if you want to give your cabinets a facelift without breaking the bank. It’s a cost-effective, customizable, and relatively quick way to transform the look of your kitchen or any space with cabinets.

What is Cabinet Refacing

Cabinet refacing involves replacing your existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts while keeping the existing cabinet framework intact. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Measurement: Accurate measurements of your cabinet doors and drawer fronts are taken to ensure a proper fit for the replacements.
Selection of Components: You get to choose new doors, drawer fronts, and other accessories, such as handles or knobs, from a variety of styles, materials, and finishes.
Installation: The old doors and drawer fronts are removed, and the new ones are expertly installed. Depending on the complexity, this process can be done by a professional or as a DIY project.

Benefits Of Cabinet Refacing

Refacing cabinets can offer several advantages for homeowners seeking a dramatic change in their kitchen or space:

Aesthetically Pleasing: By replacing the doors and drawer fronts, you can completely alter the look and style of your cabinets. It's an opportunity to achieve a fresh, modern, or traditional appearance that aligns with your design preferences.
Enhancing Durability: New doors and drawer fronts can improve your cabinets' overall durability and functionality. They can be crafted from sturdy materials that withstand daily use and provide long-lasting performance.
Increased Home Value: Refacing cabinets can potentially increase the value of your home, especially if you're planning to sell in the future. It gives potential buyers a favorable impression of an updated kitchen or space.

Considerations for Refacing Cabinets

While refacing cabinets can bring remarkable transformations, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Cost Factors: Refacing cabinets may involve a higher initial cost compared to refinishing since you're replacing components. The price can vary depending on the materials chosen, the number of cabinets, and whether you opt for professional installation.
Structural Issues: It's essential to evaluate the condition of your cabinet framework before deciding to reface. If there are significant structural issues or damage, refacing might not be the best option, as it relies on the existing framework for support.
Limited Customization: While you have a range of options for doors, drawer fronts, and accessories, refacing has some limitations in terms of altering the cabinet layout or adding new features. It focuses primarily on surface-level transformation.

Considering the potential for a complete makeover and enhanced durability, refacing cabinets can be an excellent choice if you’re seeking a more extensive change and have the budget to accommodate it. It’s an opportunity to revitalize your kitchen or space with a brand-new look while maintaining the existing framework.

refinishing vs refacing cabinets - How to Decide?

When it comes to making the right decision for your cabinets, there are several factors to consider, including the condition of your existing cabinets, the style and appearance you desire, your budget, and your long-term plans for your kitchen or space.

Let’s explore these aspects in more detail to help you make an informed choice between cabinet refinishing and refacing:

Assessing the Condition of Your Existing Cabinets

Evaluate the condition of your cabinet boxes, cabinet doors, and drawer fronts. If the cabinet boxes are structurally sound and in good condition, you may have a solid foundation for either refinishing or refacing.

However, if the cabinet boxes are damaged or deteriorating, refacing may not be the best option, as it primarily focuses on replacing the doors and drawer fronts.

Determining Your Style and Appearance Goals

Consider the style and appearance you envision for your cabinets. If you’re satisfied with the layout and functionality of your current cabinets but want a fresh look, refinishing may be the way to go. Refinishing allows you to choose a new paint color or stain that aligns with your desired aesthetic.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more extensive transformation and want to change the door style or material, refacing may better suit your needs. Refacing allows you to select new cabinet doors and drawer fronts that can dramatically alter the look of your kitchen or space.

Setting a Realistic Budget

Consider your budgetary constraints for the cabinet renovation project. Cabinet refinishing is often a more budget-friendly than refacing or replacing cabinets altogether. Refinishing allows you to achieve a significant visual upgrade without the expense of new materials and labor involved in refacing.

However, if you have a larger budget and desire a complete overhaul of your cabinets, refacing or even replacing cabinets may be worth considering.

Long-Term Plans for Your Kitchen or Space

Think about your long-term plans for your kitchen or space. If you anticipate selling your home soon, refacing cabinets can add value and enhance the appeal to potential buyers.

On the other hand, if you plan to stay in your home for an extended period, refinishing cabinets may be a cost-effective and satisfactory solution to refresh the appearance of your kitchen.

The Best Cabinet Refacing And Refinishing Services In AZ

DIY cabinet refinishing and refacing is time-consuming and frustrating if you don’t have the tools, time, and energy to deal with it.

At Orange Door, we offer cabinet painting and cabinet resurfacing services to help you take care of that for you and bring new life into your old cabinets.