WHAT IS CABINET REFACING, AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Do you dream of refreshing the look of your kitchen but don't have the time or budget for a full renovation? Are you ready for new cabinets even though your existing ones are still in good condition? It's time to consider cabinet refacing!

Cabinet refacing can give your kitchen a fresh update for a fraction of the cost and time involved in a full cabinet replacement. You can even do it yourself if you enjoy home improvement projects and have the time. Read on to learn more about cabinet refacing, including how it works, how much it costs, the benefits and more.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO REFACE CABINET DOORS AND DRAWERS?

Cabinet refacing is a way to upgrade the color and style of your cabinets without totally replacing them. Think of cabinet refacing as giving your cabinets a facelift — it involves removing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts, applying veneers over the remaining surfaces and attaching new doors and drawer fronts in the same color. The shell or body of the cabinet goes untouched. 

Refacing your cabinets is a practical way to renovate your kitchen if you have sturdy cabinets and a layout that you like but want to refresh the color or style.  

HOW DOES CABINET REFACING WORK?

If you want to reface your cabinets, you can hire a cabinet refacing professional or take on the project yourself. A professional typically spends a few days completing the project, depending on your kitchen's size, while a DIYer may need a few extra days.

If you're planning to reface your cabinets yourself, you can purchase a kit with veneers and supplies to install them and order replacement cabinet doors and drawer fronts. 

However you decide to reface your cabinets, the process generally involves the following steps:

1. Emptying the cabinets of their contents so the work site is clutter-free 
2. Removing cabinet doors and drawer fronts while leaving the rest of the drawer box intact
3. Removing hardware from existing doors and drawer fronts if it's to be reused 
4. Applying wood or laminate veneers to the front surfaces of the cabinet boxes and the sides of the cabinets
5. Installing new cabinet doors and door hinges or reusing old ones if they're in good shape
6. Installing new drawer fronts onto the drawer boxes
7. Installing new handles and drawer pulls or original ones if you want to reuse them
8. Adding other accessories, such as lighting, glass panels or crown molding

BENEFITS OF CABINET REFACING

There are many benefits of choosing cabinet refacing as part of your kitchen renovation. We highlight a few of them below:

• Fast installation: Cabinet refacing is a fairly quick process because you only upgrade the doors and drawer fronts as opposed to the entire cabinet set. If you want a quick turnaround time, cabinet refacing is a great option.
• Affordability: Opting to reface your cabinets rather than refinish or replace them saves you a significant amount of money while still providing a quality product. Refacing your cabinets costs roughly half the price of replacing them altogether.
• Ease of installation: Cabinet refacing is a relatively simple, straightforward process, especially when compared to cabinet replacement. Many homeowners complete the task themselves if they have the time and desire, while others hire a professional to get the job done in a matter of days. 
• Eco-friendliness: Cabinet refacing is an environmentally-friendly way to upgrade your kitchen. Rather than discarding the entire cabinet, you're giving the exterior surface a makeover while preserving the rest of the box. You can also recycle or upcycle unwanted doors and drawer fronts to keep them out of a landfill and give them new life.  
• Minimal disruption: Kitchens are the heart of a home. If you enjoy cooking and having meals with family and friends, a lengthy kitchen renovation project can majorly disrupt your routine. Demoing cabinets can create a mess and even make your kitchen unusable. But with cabinet refacing, the bulk of your cabinets remain in place, causing minimal inconvenience and mess and allowing you the use of your kitchen during the project. 
• Longevity and durability: Wondering how long cabinet refacing lasts? With careful execution, you can enjoy refaced cabinets for many years, even decades, under normal kitchen conditions and use. 

ESTIMATING THE COST OF KITCHEN CABINET REFACING

As with any home improvement project, it's important to consider the costs involved before moving forward. Kitchen renovations can range from budget-friendly upgrades to extravagant overhauls depending on your needs, budget and kitchen size. 

Cabinets are a focal point of your kitchen, so upgrading them is a logical choice when you want to change the look of the room. Refacing your cabinets is significantly more affordable than replacing them with a new set, which can range from $3,000 to $18,000. 

Having your cabinets refaced costs 30% to 50% less than having new custom cabinets installed. The exact cost of replacing cabinet doors varies based on the material you choose and how many doors you need, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $90 per door, depending on the size and type of wood. Drawer front prices range from $30 to $50. You might also need to purchase new cabinet hardware and tools to complete the job. 

DETERMINING IF CABINETS SHOULD BE REFACED OR NOT

It's important that you evaluate your cabinets to determine their condition before diving into a refacing project, as those that are old or excessively worn may need a more extensive overhaul. 

If the following attributes describe your cabinets, they're good candidates for refacing:

• The boxes are sturdy and in good condition, with smooth plywood or MDF panels. Cabinet veneers adhere best to solid, even surfaces. 
• The face frames are made of solid hardwood. Hardwood face frames accept veneers and support new doors well.  
• The hardware inside the cabinets, including storage elements and drawer tracks, is in good working order. Refacing may not be worth the time, money and effort if cabinet drawers don't roll smoothly or if there's little shelving and storage space. 

REFACE YOUR CABINETS WITH CABINET DOORS 'N' MORE

If you've decided to update your kitchen with quick, easy and affordable cabinet refacing, choose Cabinet Doors ‘N’ More for your replacement cabinet components. 

Cabinet Doors ‘N’ More supplies replacement cabinet doors, drawers, drawer fronts and other supplies made from high-quality, environmentally conscious materials. With many years of experience offering cabinet replacement parts, our customers trust us to provide durable cabinet components crafted to last for decades. 

When you purchase replacement cabinet components from Cabinet Doors ‘N’ More, you can expect free shipping, fast turnaround and an exceptionally user-friendly online ordering process. Contact us for more information on how our products can transform your kitchen.