Is It Worth Refacing Kitchen Cabinets? – Benefits And How To Tell When To Reface

Last Updated on August 2, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

Refacing kitchen cabinets can be worth it for cost-effective renovations. It involves replacing doors and drawer fronts while keeping existing structures. This process saves time and money, giving your kitchen a fresh look without a complete overhaul. Consider hiring professionals for the best results.

Is It Worth Refacing Kitchen Cabinets?

1. Cost-Effective Solution
   Refacing kitchen cabinets is a cost-effective way to revitalize the overall aesthetic of a kitchen without incurring major expenditures. Compared to a full kitchen remodel, which could cost anywhere from $12,000 to $34,000, refacing can provide excellent results at a fraction of that price.
2. Time-Efficient Process
   Kitchen refacing is significantly less time-consuming compared to a full replacement. It usually takes about one week or less, while traditional remodeling can take several weeks to months, causing disruption in the homeowners’ life.
3. Improvement in Home Value
   Considering investment value, refacing kitchen cabinets can be a great choice. By simply refreshing the exterior of the cabinets, homeowners can increase their home’s perceived value. This can be exceptionally beneficial in scenarios of house resale.
4. Environmentally Friendly
   Refacing kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them entirely is an environmentally friendly option. It reduces waste generated from discarded old cabinets. It also reduces the demand for new lumber, helping to conserve natural resources.
5. Broad Range of Styles and Options
   When refacing cabinets, homeowners are presented with numerous options for finishes, styles, and hardware. Consequently, allows them to fully personalize their kitchen according to their tastes and preferences.
6. Preservation of Kitchen Layout
   In instances where homeowners are satisfied with their current kitchen layout, refacing is an ideal option. It refreshes the kitchen’s appearance without causing any major structural changes.
7. Increase in Kitchen Functionality
   Refacing also provides an opportunity to enhance the functionality of the kitchen. Homeowners can choose to add more cabinets or adjust existing ones to better suit their storage needs.

So, refacing kitchen cabinets is a worthy option for homeowners desiring to achieve a new look for their kitchen without the associated time, cost, and effort of complete remodeling. It presents a budget-friendly, time-efficient, and environmentally responsible avenue for kitchen updating, making it a popular choice among mindful homeowners.

Advantages Of Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets

Many benefits come with refacing kitchen cabinets that include;

Transformation Of Your Kitchen

Kitchen cabinets take up most space in the kitchen; increasing their artistic value and updating them makes your kitchen more fulfilling. No one will tell that the cabinet boxes are old after a reface since their exteriors will look magnificent. It is necessary to pick a color, material, and finish that will enhance the ambiance and complement the theme of your kitchen.

Saves On Time

Unlike remodeling or replacing your kitchen cabinets, the process of refacing takes only a short period to complete. You can plan the process with your busy schedule and this will take less than one week to finish.

It Is Cost-Effective

Kitchen cabinet refacing is a cost-effective process, especially if you are on a budget. You can spend half the amount of money used for Replacement or remodeling and still give your kitchen that modern and sleek look that you desire. 

It Is Environmental-Friendly

When you reface your cabinet doors, there is no waste added to the landfill, and this process is a green option. It is even possible to recycle and reuse the kitchen cabinet doors into a corkboard or chalkboard. 

Refacing Is Hassle-Free

If you choose to remodel or replace your kitchen cabinets, it will require you first to remove everything and perform your tasks elsewhere. However, if you decide to reface your cabinets, you don’t have to empty or restock your kitchenware since this is a hassle-free project. You can still use your kitchen space even when the project is ongoing. 

Adds Value To Your Home

Adding a facelift to your kitchen cabinets increases your home’s value, especially if you intend to sell it later. Unlike worn-out fixtures in the kitchen that will put off potential buyers, refaced cabinets make your kitchen more attractive. You will even get higher offers when selling than when the kitchen is in poor condition. 

What Is The Difference Between Refacing And Replacing Kitchen Cabinets?

Cabinet refacing includes installing new doors and drawer fronts, veneering cabinet boxes, and building new cabinet hardware. On the other hand, Replacement involves removing the existing cabinets and putting up new ones. The bases may also need leveling to prevent further cracking of counters, and the process will also include hanging the cabinets and installing new hardware and doors. 

When Refacing Kitchen Cabinets Will Not Work

Sometimes it may not be ideal for refacing kitchen cabinets, and it is necessary to look out for the following to make a viable decision; 

Poor Kitchen Layout

A kitchen that has a poor layout may not change even after a reface. You could use a lot of money to update it and still end up with a non-functional kitchen. If the cabinets are falling apart or were not built well initially, refacing may not work. If these fixtures are made of metal that has started to rust, it is high time you consider a remodel or Replacement. 

Sometimes there may be other structural issues like a floor that has settled, leaving the cabinets out of kilter, making it worthless to reface your cabinets.

Choice Of Materials

Picking the finishing materials to use is among the most crucial decisions you need to make. You may decide to replace the old wooden center glides on your drawers with new tracks mounted on the roller sides. Like many other homeowners, you may also opt to replace the old drawer boxes with entirely new ones that are custom-built. 

Your kitchen floor and countertop installations may require a replacement or an update. If the faucet and sink are not in good shape, you may have to replace them together with the countertops. The corner cabinets may also need to be customized or need to match the over-the-refrigerator units with old ones. 

You may opt to have flip-out drawer fronts, pull-out trash bins, new wine racks, and pull-out shelves, among other accessories. All these items will add to the cost of refacing cabinets which may be higher and not make sense. It would therefore be cheaper and more viable to replace these fittings. 

Costs

The cost of refacing your kitchen cabinets depends on the finishing materials you pick, your kitchen’s size, and what you want to be included. You may sometimes realize that a facelift will cost more or slightly less than having new fixtures altogether. It is advisable to get quotations from various firms and compare their costs. If you aren’t saving a reasonable amount, you can remodel or replace your cabinets. 

How To Know If Your Kitchen Cabinets Can Be Refaced Or Not

Not all kitchen cabinets are compatible with refacing procedures, and it is necessary to know if yours can be refaced or if you need to replace them. You can inspect them to see the way forward. Look out for the following;

Face Frames

Face frames are usually attached to the boards to hide the cabinet edges. These frames act as attachment points for hardware, doors, pulls, and other items. If the frames are still in excellent condition, they can be refaced by applying a new veneer. These frames’ excellent condition makes it possible to attach new pieces and hardware. 

Are The Cabinets Smooth And Sturdy?

Your cabinets need to be smooth and firm for a new veneer to bond and hold perfectly. If your cabinets are made of MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or plywood panels and are still in perfect shape, then a reface will be a good option. If, on the other hand, the materials are rough and weak, you should think of a replacement. 

Cabinet Hardware

Your cabinet drawers should not be getting stuck or falling apart on the inside. If these fittings are not functioning appropriately, refacing the cabinets will waste time and resources. 

Steps To Follow When Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets

While some contractors may arrange their tasks differently, you can expect the following steps in a kitchen cabinet reface;

• Removing the cabinet drawers, drawer fronts, and doors but leaving the other pieces intact
• Cover the front parts of the cabinet boxes with natural wood veneer. One can use RTF (rigid thermofoil)
• Skinning the sides of the cabinets using either a laminate or a wood veneer
• Installing new door hinges if need be, but there will be no need to replace them if they are in perfect condition.
• Installation of doors and drawer front pieces
• The addition of new fixtures such as drawer pulls and handles

Installing any other extra components like lighting accessories, crown molding, glass panels, storage attachments, and more

Conclusion

Sometimes you can consider giving your kitchen cabinets a facelift if they are worn out, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money. It is less expensive to reface kitchen cabinets than replace them, especially if you like the existing layout. But, if your cabinets are completely worn out or the structure is not pleasing to you, consider a replacement.

Refacing your kitchen cabinets or having them replaced will add value to your home and attract buyers faster if you want to sell.

References:

https://kitchenmakeovers.co.uk/is-refacing-kitchen-cabinets-worth-the-money/
https://kbrkitchenandbath.com/blog/cabinet-refacing-is-it-still-worth-it/