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If your kitchen cabinets have fallen into disrepair over the years, then we have the perfect solution for you—cabinet refacing! It’s budget-friendly and quick to do. Cabinet refacing offers a significant aesthetic upgrade to your kitchen, like painting or updating new hardware and blush hinges. In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about cabinet refacing, from the basics to evaluating if it’s the right choice for your kitchen cabinets.
Plus, we will walk you through the entire process of cabinet refacing, including removing cabinet doors, applying new veneers, and installing new hardware. Lastly, we will break down the costs and weigh the pros and cons so you can decide if cabinet refacing is the right choice for you.
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What Is Cabinet Refacing
According to BHG, cabinet refacing replaces the cabinet skin panels. It entails removing cabinet doors and drawer fronts to apply a new veneer over the existing surface. It can also involve replacing hardware such as hinges, handles, and drawer pulls. Cabinet refacing is a great option to revamp your kitchen’s aesthetic without full demolition. However, cabinet refacing is favorable if you have high-quality cabinets that are in good condition.
Cabinet Refacing Costs
The Spruce shared that professional cabinet refacing costs 30% to 50% less than custom cabinet replacement. These costs range from $100 to $200 per linear foot of cabinets for a laminate finish to a high of about $455 per linear foot for a real wood veneer.
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Pros and Cons of Cabinet Refacing
Caruso Kitchens made a complete list of pros and cons:
| Pros of Refacing Kitchen Cabinets | Description |
| Less expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive | Refacing kitchen cabinets is quick, cost-effective, and causes minimal disruption since existing cabinet boxes remain in place. This reduces labor costs and minimizes construction dust and debris. |
| A wide variety of styles | Homeowners can choose from a wide range of styles and finishes, allowing them to match the cabinets with the rest of the kitchen’s decor for a cohesive look. |
| Added home value | Refacing cabinets can make an older kitchen look brand new and modern, increasing the home’s value and appealing to potential buyers. Costs can often be recouped when selling the house. |
| Cons of Refacing Kitchen Cabinets | Description |
| Limited structural changes | Refacing only updates the exterior of the cabinets and doesn’t allow for significant layout adjustments, such as adding cabinets, relocating the sink, or installing a kitchen island. |
| Cost | Although cheaper than full replacement, refacing can still be expensive due to material and labor costs. It’s important to get quotes from multiple contractors to ensure you’re getting the best deal. |
| Durability | Refacing does not replace the cabinet frames, which may wear out or become damaged over time, potentially leading to the need for a full replacement later. High-quality materials and professional installation are crucial for maximizing the durability of refaced cabinets. |
How to Reface Cabinets
If you enjoy DIY projects, tackling cabinet refacing yourself could be exciting! Here’s a step-by-step process, along with the materials you will need:
- Cabinet Refacing Materials
- Drill & Drill Bits
- Finishing screws
- Hinges with screws
- Level
- Paint Supplies/Laminate Cutter/Veneer Edge Trimmer
- Screwdriver
- Shims
Step-by-Step
Refacing your kitchen cabinets involves these nine steps, according to The Spruce:
- Detach fixtures: Remove pulls, knobs, and handles from cabinet doors and drawers.
- Remove doors and drawers: Remove the cabinet doors, drawers, and their fronts.
- Reface the cabinet boxes: Reface the cabinet box fronts with wood veneer or rigid thermofoil.
- Reface the cabinet sides: Reface the cabinet sides with veneer.
- Replace the hinges: If the old hinges are in good condition, reuse them. Otherwise, add new door hinges.
- Replace inside hardware: If internal hardware, like drawer tracks or slides, needs replacement, change this out.
- Please install the new doors, ensuring that they are completely new and not veneered.
- Install new drawer fronts: Add new drawer fronts to the old drawers.
- Install new fixtures: Add new external hardware and fixtures.
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Cabinet Refacing vs Cabinet Refinishing
Now that you know about cabinet refacing, let’s talk about cabinet refinishing. Cabinet refinishing involves sanding down and repainting or staining the existing kitchen cabinets. This offers a fresh new look at a budget-friendly price!
Here’s a simple table of their key differences & similarities by Mr. Cabinet Care:
| Key Differences & Similarities | Cabinet Refacing | Cabinet Refinishing |
| Definition | Involves replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts while keeping the existing cabinet boxes intact. | Entails sanding down existing surfaces and applying a new finish to the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. |
| Level of Work | More extensive; involves new components like doors and drawer fronts. | Less extensive; focuses on the existing surfaces of the cabinets. |
| Style and Color Changes | Allows for significant style and color changes, offering a wide variety of finishes and door styles. | Limited to the current style; changes are primarily in color and finish rather than structure or design. |
| Cost | Generally more expensive due to new materials and installation costs. | More budget-friendly; primarily involves labor and finishing products. |
| Overall Look | Gives a completely new look, similar to replacing the cabinets but without the full replacement. | Refreshes the existing look, maintaining the current cabinet design while giving it a renewed appearance. |
| Structural Changes | Does not change the layout but can update the appearance more dramatically than refinishing. | No structural changes; retains the original cabinet boxes, doors, and drawer fronts. |
| Suitability | Ideal for those seeking a substantial update with changes in style, color, or finish. | Best for those satisfied with the current cabinet style but want to refresh and modernize the appearance with a new finish. |
| Disruption | Causes more disruption compared to refinishing due to the replacement of doors and drawer fronts. | Minimal disruption; typically involves sanding and painting, with quicker turnaround time. |
Evaluating Your Cabinets for Refacing
Here’s a checklist for preparing to reface your kitchen cabinets:
- Assess Cabinet Condition: Evaluate the current condition of your cabinets to ensure they are suitable for refacing.
- Consider Style and Design: Review the style and design of your existing cabinets to see if they align with your desired aesthetic after refacing.
- Inspect Material and Construction: Check the material and construction of your cabinets to ensure they are structurally sound and capable of supporting refacing.
- Take Measurements: Measure your cabinets to determine the amount of materials needed and to estimate the overall cost.
- Consult a Professional Contractor: Seek expert advice and obtain an accurate quote from a professional contractor for the refacing project.
- Plan Your Transformation: Get ready to enhance your kitchen’s look and feel at a fraction of the cost of a full cabinet replacement.
This checklist will guide you through the key steps before starting your cabinet refacing project!
When is Cabinet Refacing a Good Option?
The answer is simple: cabinet refacing is a perfect option when your existing cabinets are in good condition and you want to update their appearance.
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Factors Influencing the Cost of Cabinet Refacing
Here are the factors that can affect the cost of cabinet refacing:
- Size of Cabinets: Larger cabinets or more extensive kitchen layouts will require more materials and labor, increasing the overall cost.
- Number of Doors and Drawers: The more doors and drawers you have, the higher the refacing cost because of additional materials and labor required.
- Materials Used: The type of materials chosen for refacing, such as laminate, wood veneer, or more premium options, can significantly affect the cost.
- Complexity of the Project: Additional features, customization, or intricate designs can increase the complexity and overall expense of the refacing project.
- Location and Labor Costs: Labor costs vary by location, and higher costs in your area will affect the total price of the refacing job.
- Long-Term Value and Benefits: Consider the long-term value of refacing compared to other options like full cabinet replacement to ensure the investment is worthwhile.
Evaluating these factors will help you understand the potential costs involved in a cabinet refacing project.
Why Should You Choose Cabinet Refacing?
Here’s a list of reasons to choose cabinet refacing:
- Cost-Effective: Refacing is a budget-friendly option that refreshes your kitchen without the expense of a full remodel.
- Minimal Disruption: The process is quicker and less disruptive compared to a complete kitchen renovation.
- Environmentally Friendly: Refacing reduces waste by reusing existing cabinet frames, making it a more sustainable choice.
- Wide Range of Materials and Finishes: You can select from a variety of materials, colors, and finishes to customize the look of your cabinets.
- Quick Transformation: You can complete refacing in a fraction of the time required for a full cabinet replacement.
These factors make cabinet refacing a smart, efficient way to update your kitchen’s appearance!
Is Cabinet Refacing Worth It?
Yes. It is worth considering cabinet refacing for a cost-effective kitchen update, but if the cabinets are damaged or in poor condition, opting for replacement may be better.
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Why Choose MGS Contracting Services for Your Cabinet Needs?
Choosing the right provider for your cabinet needs is essential to achieving outstanding results. Here are a few reasons why MGS Contracting Services is the best choice for your cabinet requirements:
- Experience: Our team brings years of expertise in cabinet refacing, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and exceptional results.
- Expertise: We are well-versed in a wide range of materials, finishes, and design options, allowing us to create custom solutions that perfectly match your needs and preferences.
- Custom Solutions: Every kitchen is unique, and we provide tailored solutions to meet your specific requirements, ensuring your space is both functional and stylish.
Experience and Expertise in Cabinet Refacing
- Our team of professionals has extensive experience in cabinet refacing, delivering precision and high-quality workmanship.
- Skilled installers ensure precise execution at every step, providing a flawless and durable result.
- We prioritize using high-quality materials and techniques to guarantee the longevity and durability of your cabinets.
- Trust in MGS Contracting Services for a beautifully refreshed and functional kitchen.
Custom Solutions Tailored to Your Kitchen
- We offer custom cabinet solutions that are perfectly tailored to your kitchen’s specifications.
- Our cabinets are designed to fit seamlessly into your space, maximizing storage and enhancing functionality.
- Our expert team works closely with you to understand your vision and create cabinets that meet your exact requirements.
- We assist in selecting the right materials, and finishes, and designing functional storage solutions.
Conclusion
When considering cabinet refacing or replacement, take into account your budget, the condition of your current cabinets, and your desired outcome. Refacing is a cost-effective option with a variety of materials to choose from, while replacement offers entirely new styles. For expert advice tailored to your kitchen needs, contact MGS Contracting Services. Let us help you transform your kitchen with our custom cabinet solutions!