What Are Your Options For Remodeling Your Kitchen? | Benefits of Cabinet Refacing

If you're someone who loves spending time in the heart of the home, you'll understand the importance of having a well-designed and functional kitchen. A kitchen is both a place to cook and a space for entertaining and spending time with family and friends. That's why a kitchen renovation can be one of the best investments you’ll ever make in your home.

One of the most significant decisions you'll make regarding kitchen remodeling is whether to replace or reface your cabinets.

CABINET REFACING EXPLAINED

Cabinet refacing means replacing the doors, drawer fronts and hardware of your existing cabinets while leaving the cabinet boxes intact. This can give your kitchen a new look and feel without needing a complete cabinet replacement.

To start, your old cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are removed and safely disposed of. Then, all cabinet fronts and side panels are covered with solid wood veneer. This is a thin layer of wood on top of the core material. The replacement cabinet doors and drawer fronts, and sometimes drawer boxes, are replaced to complement and blend with the veneer. If needed, your old drawer boxes are replaced with solid wood, dovetailed drawer boxes, and optional new hardware and accessories bring style and functionality to the space.

Here's a simple overview of the process of cabinet refacing:

• Cabinet assessment: You can either get a professional to assess the condition of your existing cabinets or measure the cabinet doors yourself and order the proper parts online.
• Door and drawer selection: You'll choose the material and finish of your new cabinet doors and drawer fronts. You can choose from a wide range of styles and materials, including wood, laminate and thermofoil.
• Hardware selection: You'll select new hardware, such as knobs and handles, to complement your new doors and drawers.
• Preparation: A professional will prepare your existing cabinet boxes by cleaning and sanding them. They'll also likely apply a solid wood veneer to the cabinet boxes to match the new doors and drawers.
• Installation: The new doors, drawers and hardware are installed onto the existing cabinet boxes.
• Post-installation: In around just two weeks, you’ll be enjoying your beautiful new refaced kitchen.

There are many cabinet door styles and finishes to choose from, giving you a wide variety of looks and styling. The most expensive material for both kitchen cabinet doors, drawer fronts and veneers will be real wood, which you can get in oak, cherry, maple or paint-grade hard maple, as well as plenty of stained or painted wood color options.

For a less expensive option, you can use durable and moisture-resistant laminate cabinet doors, which are available in hundreds of different colors and patterns. Still less expensive is Rigid Thermofoil (RTF), which is a routed piece of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) vacuum-formed with a durable vinyl coating. Laminates are the most popular option and are relatively affordable, but you can choose to go up or down in price from there.

Overall, as opposed to replacing your kitchen cabinets, cabinet refacing can save you thousands of dollars and save you weeks without your kitchen while still giving you the look of a brand-new kitchen.

IS IT WORTH IT TO REFACE KITCHEN CABINETS?

This comes down to two things — personal preference and how much you want to spend. Cabinet refacing offers savings that can be as much as a third of the cost of replacing.

If your kitchen is designed poorly to start with, cabinet refacing will leave you with a better-looking version of a still badly designed kitchen, whereas replacing gives you options for starting from square one again. And if you decide to go with exotic woods or veneers for your cabinet refacing, then your savings will be cut considerably. Otherwise, refacing is generally the preferable option.

Deciding whether to reface or replace your cabinet doors is a crucial decision when it comes to kitchen remodeling. In this section, we'll explore some factors to consider when making this decision and the pros and cons of each option.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

When deciding whether to reface or replace your cabinet doors, you should consider:

1. Budget: Cabinet refacing is generally less expensive than a full cabinet replacement but still requires a significant investment. Consider your budget and how much you're willing to spend on your kitchen renovation.
2. Condition of existing cabinets: Refacing may be a viable option if your cabinets are in good condition. If they are damaged or have structural issues, replacement may be necessary.
3. Design preferences: If you want a completely new look and feel for your kitchen, replacing the cabinet doors may be the better option. However, if you're happy with the layout and function of your cabinets, refacing would be your solution.

BENEFITS OF CABINET REFACING

There are several benefits to choosing cabinet refacing over a full cabinet replacement, including:

1. Cost savings: Cabinet refacing is generally less expensive than a complete cabinet replacement, making it a more budget-friendly option.
2. Minimal disruption: Cabinet refacing is typically a quicker and less disruptive process than a full renovation, as it doesn't require the removal of the existing cabinets.
3. Customization: With cabinet refacing, you can still customize the look and style of your cabinets to suit your tastes and preferences.
4. Less disruption: Countertops, floors and walls do not have to be disturbed during the cabinet refacing process.

GO PRO OR DIY?

It's natural to compare the cost of resurfacing your kitchen cabinets yourself with hiring a professional. While watching how-to videos on YouTube may be tempting, it's important to consider your level of experience and expertise. If you're not particularly handy, attempting to do the job yourself may actually end up costing you more time and money than if you had hired a professional to handle the project.

When deciding whether to hire a professional or do it yourself, you should consider:

1. Your skill level: Refacing cabinets requires certain skills and knowledge. If you're not confident in your abilities, hiring a professional may be the safer choice.
2. Time: Refacing cabinets can be time-consuming, especially if you're doing it alone. Consider your available time and how quickly you need the project to be completed.
3. Budget: Hiring a professional may cost more upfront, but it can save you money in the long run if they can complete the project efficiently and with high-quality materials.

Overall, cabinet refacing is typically less of a hassle, less expensive and less time-consuming than a complete remodel. Additionally, one of the benefits of cabinet refacing is that you can use your kitchen without significant disruption.

OTHER REMODELING OPTIONS

Cabinet refacing is just one of many options when it comes to kitchen remodeling. This section will explore other remodeling options that you may come across during your research:

• Countertop replacement: Replacing your countertops can significantly impact the overall look of your kitchen. Options include granite, quartz, marble and more. Consider the style of your kitchen and choose a material that complements it. Note that this option can be a significant investment.
• Flooring replacement: Replacing your kitchen flooring can also make a big difference in the overall look of your space. Consider the durability and maintenance requirements of different materials before making your choice and whether you have the budget for new floors.
• Lighting: Upgrading your kitchen lighting can create a more welcoming and functional space. Options include recessed lighting, pendant lights and under-cabinet lighting. Consider the style and function of your kitchen when choosing lighting options.
• Backsplash: Adding a new backsplash to your kitchen can add style and protection to your walls. Choose a material that complements your countertops and cabinets. Note that updating your backsplash may require hiring a professional to reduce the project's timeline, which can mean you have to increase your budget.
• Paint: A fresh coat of paint can make a big difference in the look of your kitchen. However, applying paint to your cabinets doesn’t change your cabinet door style, will chip, scratch or fade over time, and cost hundreds to thousands of dollars in expenses.

You could also consider a major kitchen remodeling, but that often requires permits and a large budget. Further, your kitchen will be unusable for upwards of several months, depending on the changes being made. These high-level remodels can also include unexpected costs.

Overall, a straightforward, often affordable remodel like kitchen cabinet resurfacing can be the best option when you want to quickly refresh and update your kitchen.

UPDATE YOUR CURRENT KITCHEN WITH CABINET DOORS ‘N’ MORE

You most likely spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so why not make it a comfortable space for you and your family?

When you need replacement cabinet doors, drawer fronts, drawer boxes and other high-quality products for your cabinet remodeling needs, Cabinet Doors ‘N’ More is here to help. Whatever you need, we have the custom, high-quality replacement cabinet components you can count on for your DIY project. Click through our extensive collection, and start our easy-to-use ordering process today!

Buy $750 or more in any combination of cabinet doors, drawer fronts, drawer boxes or accessories and get 10% off your entire order. Discount taken at check out. Discounts cannot be combined.