For many homeowners planning a kitchen remodeling project, cabinet refacing is typically presented as the more affordable route when compared to kitchen cabinet replacement. On the surface, this seems quite straightforward since the idea behind cabinet refacing is that you keep the boxes but get rid of all the doors, drawers, frames, and facings and add something new to your kitchen.
In reality, however, it is never this simple.
By far the most common mistake made by homeowners is thinking about refacing and cabinet replacement as two opposites on a continuum where one is cheaper than the other. This is not necessarily true. Our analysis of homeowner cabinet quotes showed us that sometimes a refacing project might be comparable to the cost of new kitchen cabinets.
That changes the real question homeowners should be asking.
Instead of asking, “Is refacing cheaper than replacing cabinets?” the better question is:
For the money I am spending, am I getting only a new look — or am I getting a better kitchen?
This is an important difference because while refacing will definitely improve the appearance of an old kitchen, it won’t change the layout issues, inferior cabinet boxes, inadequate storage, broken insides, corners that just don’t fit, or any problems that existed before that have never been fixed with your existing cabinets. While replacement does cost more, it allows for functional improvement.
What Cabinet Refacing Really Means
Cabinet refacing leaves the current cabinets in place but replaces the surfaces that can be seen. The doors and drawers of old cabinets will be replaced by removing them from the face frame and sides which will be surfaced with either veneer or laminate. Then new doors and drawer faces, hardware, and pulls will be installed. In other words, refacing is simply the process of putting new skin on the cabinets.
This is why refacing makes sense in situations where your cabinets have good structural integrity. When you don’t need to tear out anything because the layout is efficient and the cabinets aren’t too small, but what needs updating is their appearance, refacing may be your best bet.
However, it is essential to know about things that refacing will not offer. Refacing will not provide you with new cabinet boxes. Refacing does not ensure that your drawers have been made better. It will not change the footprint of your kitchen. Water damage below your sink, sagging shelves, bad interior structure, and even improper layout will remain there.
This is when some people start thinking if they can spend their money wisely on refacing.
Why Cabinet Refacing Sounds Cheaper but Gets So Expensive
At first, cabinet refacing sounds like the obvious way to save money. This is because in the process of installing the new faces, there will be fewer demolition works, and thus minimal wastage, not to mention less disruption to the flooring, plumbing, countertops, and electrical components of the kitchen. Moreover, for many kitchen renovations, the whole procedure is likely to be faster compared to the process of replacing the cabinets.
However, the bottom-line costs might quickly soar.
Refacing is more than just replacing cabinet doors. Even though the installer of the cabinet faces has a much easier task compared to when he/she installs the cabinets from scratch, the work itself is quite detailed and needs to be done with precision. The old cabinet doors have to come off, and then there must be covering of face frames and side exposures.
Also, material differences could raise the costs. The costs of laminate, wood veneer, paint finishes, stain finishes, shaker doors, custom colors, finished ends, crown moldings, soft-close hinges, and even drawer upgrades would differ from each other. In most cases, many homeowners think of just updating their cabinets, but then find themselves wanting better doors, better hardware, and better panels. At this point, what started out to be a minor upgrade could turn into something else.
That is one thing that makes refacing difficult at times. You are putting your money on the exterior of the cabinetry, but the existing cabinets are left inside. Now if you have high quality cabinets that do not require replacement or repair, then you are okay. However, when these cabinets consist of low-grade particle board, water damage, poorly constructed drawers, or even a bad design, refacing will make your kitchen look good, yet leave the problem unresolved.
In short, refacing should not be assessed based on costs alone. That cheaper quote will mean nothing if you have cabinets beneath that require updating. When refacing becomes nearly the same in costs as new cabinetry, the choice should be made accordingly.
What Cabinet Refacing Does Well
Cabinet refacing should only be considered where the kitchen is functioning well but its cabinets need cosmetic improvements. Where the cabinets' boxes are sound, the layout is efficient, the drawers and doors are functioning properly, but their color and door style is no longer liked by the homeowner, refacing becomes a very sensible choice.
This is also an attractive alternative where owners are trying to circumvent the chaos that may come with remodeling a larger portion of the kitchen. Refacing is generally less disruptive than demolishing all the cabinet system and can become an attractive choice for an old kitchen whose aesthetics can benefit from such changes.
For instance, where an older kitchen boasts sturdy plywood boxes, efficient work triangle, sufficient storage space, but old-fashioned doors; then this could be a case for refacing.
What Cabinet Refacing Cannot Fix
Refacing would not be considered a solution if there are problems that go beyond the cosmetic. In cases where the kitchen does not have enough storage space, not enough drawers, underutilized corner cabinets, wrong placement of appliances, faulty sink bases, swelled boxes, weak shelving, or bad interiors, refacing is of no help.
Refacing is one way of updating an old cabinet. Refacing cannot improve a defective cabinet.
Such considerations hold even more true in relation to kitchens that incorporate cabinetry of lower quality. In these cases, there would have been an attempt at lowering costs when installing this cabinetry. Such cabinetry would fail to be functional for many years to come if its drawers are flimsy, the glides rusty, the interior surfaces unfinished, or even the cabinet boxes damaged because of water damage.
The key point here is that the cost of refacing should not solely determine whether this is done. This is because in this particular case, it all depends on what remains after the job has been completed. If there is still inefficiency in the kitchen's design, poor storage, and inferior quality of cabinet construction, then the lower cost is meaningless.
When New Cabinets May Be the Better Value
Re-facing your kitchen cabinets may require some amount of money but cabinet replacement usually ends up costing more than re-facing in most situations. This is because while the cabinets are replaced, other related improvements such as countertop changes, plumbing and floor improvements, and back-splash installation will need to be done. Other considerations could also include the installation or change of kitchen appliances.
However, the advantage of replacement over re-facing is the opportunity to fix your kitchen problem.
New cabinets offer an opportunity to enhance the cabinets in terms of number and placement, add better drawer bases, improve pantries, increase wall cabinets, increase trash pull-out capability, and enhance interior features among others. You are getting a lot more for the extra money spent.
In our analysis of the quotes that homeowners have received, we noted situations where estimates provided for both options were very close to each other. In cases where the price difference between refacing and new cabinet installation was quite small, the decision became more about what you get from each option.
Refacing vs. Replacing: Get a Kitchen Estimate Before Comparing Cost
One easy way to evaluate both choices is to distinguish between aesthetics and functionality.
When the kitchen is ugly but functions properly, the refacing solution will do just fine.
When the kitchen is both ugly and does not function as intended, it is often best to replace the cabinets.
Refacing mostly involves exterior changes. On the other hand, replacement includes changing the cabinet system. That means replacement is not always required, although people who choose refacing need to make sure that all the issues that the kitchen has can be fixed by a face lift only.
As long as the work you want to do includes storage improvements, updating the drawers or appliances, a layout redesign, or replacing the countertop, you should also consider getting a quote for new cabinets.
What About RTA Kitchen Cabinets Online?
Ready-to-assemble cabinets can be a strong middle ground for homeowners who feel refacing is too expensive but custom cabinets are beyond the budget.RTA cabinets are shipped flat-packed and assembled before installation., which ensures lower production and transportation costs but does not stop them from providing homeowners with something completely new rather than refinished. Of course, the quality will depend on what you get. It is therefore important to examine such things as the cabinet box construction, drawer construction, hardware, finishes, and support for design. Generally speaking, a cabinet box made of plywood lasts much longer than that made of particle board, and drawer boxes should receive even more careful attention since they have to withstand much stress. Such details as soft-close hinges and drawer glides can be considered luxurious, yet they can also provide you with more convenience and help decrease the wear and tear of your cabinets. Pay attention to the quality of finish since you risk getting surprised by the difference in color depending on the lighting (showroom lighting, daylight, warm indoor light). This is why purchasing a sample door is a wise idea before buying an entire kitchen. Moreover, many people do not know the exact dimensions needed or how to improve the arrangement of their kitchen.
This is where RTA cabinets become worth comparing. for homeowners because they offer the possibility of getting new cabinet boxes, new doors, improved storage solutions, and new layout options without having to spend money on custom cabinetry.
This is especially true when refacing no longer offers good pricing options.
When Cabinet Refacing Makes Sense
Cabinet refacing will work for you when your existing kitchen design is basically sound. You have good cabinets, they are arranged well, there is sufficient storage space, and you just want something different in the way the kitchen looks. With cabinet refacing, you get a completely fresh appearance in the room without undertaking an entire kitchen renovation.
This approach is also suitable when it is clear that refacing will cost less than replacing the cabinets and the kitchen’s functionality will not depend on the cabinets in any way. If everything else in your kitchen suits your needs, but the cabinets need changing for some reason, refacing may be the solution.
The most ideal situation for a cabinet refacing job is one where homeowners realize exactly what they are getting when choosing this option – a new look for their existing cabinet installation.
When Cabinet Replacement Makes More Sense
Rebuilding your kitchen is more justified when your current one cannot fulfill the way you interact with it. If you feel like there is a need for additional drawers, improved pantry storage, an improved placement of appliances, tall wall cabinets, an updated island, or robust cabinet structures, rebuilding your kitchen would provide the flexibility to do so.
The other scenario in which replacement is more important than refinishing involves having cabinets in bad condition. Some examples of this include water damage near sinks, swelling, cracks on the frame, drooping of the shelves, and decay of the drawer box. Although refinishing of your cabinets can mask these problems from you, it cannot remove them.
Another situation when rebuilding may be justified is if you are already planning to replace your kitchen counters. After you have removed your old countertop, you will have to consider whether your cabinets can continue to serve you well into the future. When your answer is negative, it may make perfect sense to rebuild your entire kitchen.
The Real Question: New Look or Better Kitchen?
Refacing may actually be a worthwhile investment under certain circumstances since it takes less time, is less disruptive, and creates a lot less mess than replacing cabinetry. Refacing may be the perfect solution to the homeowner's needs.
However, this does not mean that refacing is always the way to go.
When you find yourself getting refacing quotes that are close to new cabinet quotes, stop. Do a little bit of research, and compare your options. Don't be blinded by the numbers. Find out which one is able to offer you the kitchen you really want – after all, that is the reason why you wanted your cabinets renovated in the first place.
A better quote is meaningless without being an effective solution to the kitchen owner's problem.
It is possible that refacing will give you just what you were looking for. However, there may also come instances wherein it will turn out that replacing your old cabinets is the best bang for your buck because it adds functionality, storage capacity, structural soundness, and efficiency to your kitchen.
Need Help Comparing Refacing vs. New Cabinets? Start With a Free Kitchen Design Service
For those uncertain between cabinet refacing and replacement, a design plan will be helpful prior to making their choice.
The free kitchen design offered by HomeCabinets allows homeowners to compare options regarding layout, cabinet designs, storage solutions, and costs. This way, whether you are considering a complete cabinet overhaul or quotes for refacing services from local contractors, you will have a plan and will understand how you will spend your money.
Before accepting any refacing quotes, you can use a kitchen cabinet estimator to compare the costs associated with installing new RTA cabinets. Perhaps the total cabinet replacement will turn out more advantageous.
You may end up with more than a new look. You may end up with a better kitchen.
FAQ
Is cabinet refacing always cheaper than replacing cabinets?
No. Although cabinet refacing can be much less costly than cabinet replacement, cabinet refacing is not necessarily the least expensive choice compared to all types of new cabinets. The reason for that is that the installation of upgraded doors, veneer, new hinges, panels, hardware, and labor will cost almost as much as new cabinets do.
Why is cabinet refacing so expensive?
Cabinet refacing is expensive because much of the work has to be done carefully on site. Installers are not just hanging new doors. They are fitting new surfaces onto old cabinet frames, and that takes time. In addition, there is a need to take into account the cost of materials, such as wood veneer or wood itself.
Is cabinet refacing worth it?
Refacing is the right choice if the boxes of your cabinets are still sound, and the cabinet layout is suitable, provided that you want to change the appearance of your cabinets.
Can cabinet refacing change my kitchen layout?
Not normally. Refacing maintains the positioning of the current cabinets, meaning the layout remains unchanged. However, if moving, adding additional drawers, or reconfiguring the location of appliances is preferred, replacement would probably be the best choice.
Should I reface cabinets if I am replacing countertops?
This all comes down to how well your current cabinets are maintained. In the case where your cabinet boxes are sturdy and the layout suits your requirements, then refacing could be a viable option. However, if you are tearing down your countertop and cabinets underneath are outdated and ill-placed, then new cabinets could be something to consider.
Are RTA cabinets a good alternative to refacing?
Yes, RTA cabinets can be a viable option where refacing becomes too expensive, but one wants new cabinet boxes with more storage space and different cabinet hardware, among other changes, without having to pay the high prices of custom cabinetry.