Cabinet Refacing vs Refinishing: What’s the Difference?
One of the easiest and most noticeable ways to give your kitchen a facelift is to update your cabinets. Rather than replacing cabinets, you can keep your existing cabinet boxes by refinishing or replacing them. This way, homeowners can give their cabinets a makeover at a fraction of the cost and without as much time-consuming labor. But what is the difference between cabinet refacing and refinishing, and which is right for your kitchen? In this article, we’ll take a look at cabinet refacing vs refinishing.
What Is Cabinet Refacing?
Kitchen cabinet refacing allows homeowners to give their cabinets a makeover while leaving the existing cabinet boxes in place. With refacing, installers will enhance the functionality. This includes:
- Removing the old cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware
- Covering the cabinet boxes with a solid wood veneer
- Installing brand new cabinet doors complete with new hardware
This is a popular kitchen renovation for homeowners who want to update their kitchen cabinets with a new door style. It’s a less disruptive home improvement project than a complete replacement since the kitchen layout and cabinet placement stay the same.
What Is Cabinet Refinishing?
As with refacing, cabinet refinishing leaves the existing cabinet boxes intact. However, with refinishing, you’ll keep the same cabinet doors. Instead of replacing them with new doors, refinishing involves the following:
- Removing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts
- Sanding down the existing finish
- Repainting, applying a new finish, or leaving the natural wood grain
Refinishing is best for kitchen remodels in which the homeowner is happy with the cabinets and door style but would like a new cabinet color.
How to Choose Between Refacing and Refinishing
Cabinet refacing and refinishing are often used interchangeably. However, while they both offer a new look, the process is different. A few factors must be considered to determine which project is best for your kitchen.
Budget
It’s essential to stay within your budget for every kitchen remodel. Fortunately, the cost difference between cabinet refacing and refinishing isn’t very much. Refinishing tends to be a bit less expensive since you keep the same doors. On the other hand, refacing is still a much more cost-effective option than a complete replacement.
Cabinet Condition
The state of your cabinets will also affect which remodeling project is best for your needs. With both options, your cabinet boxes need to be structurally sound. Refacing will give the exterior of the cabinet boxes a new look while refinishing only changes the cabinet doors.
If your cabinet boxes are warped or cracked, you should consider replacing them altogether.
Desired Changes
Consider how much you want to change the look of your cabinets. Do you like the style of your doors and just want to refresh the color? Refinishing is probably all you need. If you’re making more extensive changes to your kitchen layout, refacing offers more custom cabinet options. Refacing also gives you the option of changing to a completely different door style. New hardware and drawer pulls can add to the functionality of your existing cabinets as well.
Kitchen Design
The layout and color scheme of your kitchen should also influence whether you reface or refinish your cabinets. Consider your countertop material, wall color, and backsplash, for example. Does the style of your existing cabinet doors suit these features, or should you make bigger changes to your cabinets? Keep in mind that neither refacing nor refinishing will alter the layout or size of your cabinet boxes.
Environmental Impact
Both refinishing and refacing are eco-friendly alternatives to cabinet replacement. By keeping your existing cabinet boxes, you reduce material waste, as old cabinet boxes typically get discarded. With refinishing, you can further reduce the material waste of your remodel by keeping the existing cabinet doors as well.
Benefits of Cabinet Refacing vs Refinishing
Refacing and refinishing each have advantages and drawbacks.
Refacing
- More extensive changes: Refacing allows you to make bigger design changes to your cabinets than refinishing.
- Functional upgrades: Updating hardware and handles can make cabinets more usable.
Refinishing
- Cost-effective: Refinishing is usually less expensive than refacing.
- Eco-friendly: Refinishing wastes fewer materials than refacing.
Get Started Creating Your Dream Kitchen Today
The choice between cabinet refacing and refinishing comes down to your specific needs. Whether you choose to reface or refinish your kitchen cabinets, the possibilities are endless. From different finishes to new door styles, there are countless ways to upgrade your cabinets. Reborn Cabinets has over 50 years of experience in home remodeling. We specialize in helping homeowners create the kitchen of their dreams. Contact Reborn Cabinets today to get a free quote on kitchen remodeling services.
