Refinishing, Refacing, or Replacing Kitchen Cabinets: How to Choose

When it comes to updating your kitchen, your cabinets play a central role in both functionality and style. However, over time, your cabinets may start to show signs of wear—scratches, faded finishes, or just an outdated design. If you’re thinking about a kitchen remodel but aren’t sure whether you should refinish, reface, or replace your cabinets, you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into each option: refinishing, refacing, and replacing kitchen cabinets along with a real-world breakdown of the costs involved. We will go through the pros and cons of each and help you figure out the best choice for your needs, style, and budget.

Refinishing Your Kitchen Cabinets

Refinishing involves sanding down and reapplying new paint or stain to your existing cabinets, breathing new life into them without removing or replacing any components. It’s often the quickest and most cost-effective solution if you’re simply looking for a fresh look.

The Refinishing Process:

1. Initial Consultation and Evaluation: Before you even pick out colors or finishes, it’s essential to assess the condition of your cabinets. An experienced contractor can help identify any issues such as cracks, damage, or soft spots that could impact the refinishing process. A quality evaluation will also help decide if your cabinets are worth refinishing or if it’s better to go for a complete replacement.
2. Cleaning and Preparing Surfaces: The first step in the refinishing process is deep cleaning to remove grime, grease, and oils that can interfere with paint adhesion. This stage often involves using specialized cleaning products and scrubbing down each surface thoroughly.
3. Sanding and Stripping: For a smooth finish, the cabinets will be sanded down. This can involve either stripping off old finishes or sanding the surface to create a fresh layer that will bond better with new paint or stain. If your cabinets have old lacquer or varnish, this step may require more effort to remove.
4. Painting or Staining: After the surface is prepped, the new finish can be applied. Whether you choose to go with a sleek modern look using bold, high-gloss paint or prefer a more classic feel with warm, rich stains, this step transforms the entire appearance of your cabinets.
5. Reinstalling Hardware: New knobs, handles, and hinges can make a huge difference in updating the style of your cabinets. This final step adds those small, but important, details to complete the transformation.

Pros of Refinishing:

• Cost-Effective: One of the most significant benefits of refinishing your cabinets is the cost savings. The price of refinishing can be about 30-50% of the cost of replacing cabinets entirely, but you have to be careful and make sure you have compared the options as it is labor intensive and the costs can add up. If you like your cabinet layout and structure, refinishing lets you refresh the look without having to rip everything out and start from scratch.
• Quick Turnaround: The job can usually be completed in 5-7 days, depending on the size of your kitchen. Again having a knowledgeable expert come out and help you will be key to figuring out the time involved and whether something like pre-fabricated cabinets would be a better option in a similar timeframe.
• Eco-Friendly: By reusing your existing cabinets, you reduce waste and minimize your environmental impact.

Cons of Refinishing:

• Limited Design Flexibility: Refinishing can only do so much in terms of changing the design of your cabinets. If you want a completely new layout, increased storage, or a totally different cabinet style, refinishing won’t give you that flexibility. In such cases, replacement may be your better option.
• Shorter Lifespan: Refinished cabinets may not last as long as brand-new ones. While you can expect 7-10 years of good service from refinished cabinets, they may begin to show signs of wear sooner, especially in high-traffic kitchens. With brand-new cabinets, you’re investing in a longer-lasting, more durable product.
• Labor-Intensive: While refinishing can save you money, it’s not a DIY project for everyone. The process requires skill, patience, and attention to detail. Hiring an experienced contractor will ensure the job is done properly and you get the high-quality results you’re looking for.

Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinet refacing involves replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with new ones, while the existing cabinet frames are kept in place and covered with a veneer. There quite a few types of veneers, including some private label options that are often claimed to be unique, but they usually fall into the category of either thin wood sheets or a vinyl covering. This option is ideal if your cabinets are structurally sound but you want to give them a complete style overhaul.

The Refacing Process:

1. Removal of Old Doors and Drawer Fronts: The old doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are removed.
2. Preparation of Cabinet Frames: The frames are cleaned, sanded, and prepped to receive a new veneer.
3. Applying Veneer: A thin veneer, which can be made of wood, laminate or thermofoil (vinyl/plastic) is applied to the existing cabinet boxes to give them a fresh look.
4. Installing New Doors and Hardware: New doors and drawer fronts are installed, along with new knobs and handles.

Pros of Refacing:

• Cost-Effective, Yet Major Transformation: Refacing costs more than refinishing but can still be cheaper than replacing cabinets depending on what look and options you want. It’s a good option if you love the structure of your cabinets but want a more modern or updated look.
• Less Disruption: Since the existing cabinet frames stay intact, the process can be quicker and less invasive than replacing your entire kitchen.
• Design Flexibility: You can choose from a variety of new door styles and materials, offering a much wider range of design options compared to refinishing.

Cons of Refacing:

• Limited by Cabinet Frames: Refacing only works if your cabinet boxes are in good condition. If there’s wear, warping or damage to the boxes, it’s better to consider replacing them.
• Not a Complete Redesign: While you can change the look of your cabinets, refacing won’t change the layout or functionality of the kitchen.
• Durability: The quality of these jobs can vary quite a bit, with some materials being more prone to bubbling, cracking and chipping. Moisture is able to get in-between the layers causing damage or unsightly imperfections.

Replacing Your Kitchen Cabinets

Replacing cabinets means removing everything—both the cabinet boxes and doors—and installing entirely new cabinets, often with a new layout. This can be the most expensive and time-consuming option but can also deliver the most dramatic transformation. An experienced designer can be of great service here helping you sort through the different options of stock, semi-custom and custom kitchen cabinets which carry a wide range of costs and options.

The Replacement Process:

1. Removal of Old Cabinets: The old cabinets are removed, which might involve removing countertops, backsplash, and possibly flooring.
2. Installing New Cabinet Boxes: New cabinet boxes are installed, and any necessary adjustments are made to accommodate the layout changes.
3. Adding Doors, Drawers, and Hardware: New doors and drawers are attached, and new hardware is installed.
4. Countertop and Backsplash Installation: If your cabinets were holding your countertops and backsplash, these may need to be replaced or reinstalled.

Pros of Replacing Cabinets:

• Complete Flexibility: You can completely change the layout, size, and style of your cabinets, offering you a high degree of customization.
• Long-Term Investment: New cabinets are built to last, offering better durability and performance than refinished or refaced cabinets.
• Enhanced Functionality: New cabinets can be designed with better organization systems (like pull-out drawers, spice racks, lazy Susans, etc.), improving your kitchen’s functionality.

Cons of Replacing Cabinets:

• Costly: This can be the most expensive option, especially if you’re upgrading to custom cabinets or changing the layout significantly.
• Time-Consuming: Replacing cabinets can take several weeks and requires a lot of work depending on how extensive the changes are that you want.
• Disruption: Since the entire kitchen is being remodeled, you’ll experience more disruption to your daily routine.

Cost Breakdown: Refinishing vs. Refacing vs. Replacing

Let’s take a look at the average costs associated with each option. Keep in mind that prices can vary greatly depending on the options you have selected, materials, and the size of your kitchen, but this will give you a general idea.

Which Option is Right for You?

When deciding between refinishing, refacing, or replacing your kitchen cabinets, it’s important to consider your budget, the condition of your current cabinets, and how much of a style change you want. Refinishing is the most cost-effective option if you’re happy with the cabinet layout but need a fresh look, while refacing offers a larger transformation without the expense of full replacement. If your cabinets are damaged or outdated beyond repair, replacing them entirely may be the best route for a completely new kitchen design.

However, navigating these choices can be overwhelming, and that’s where an experienced contractor comes in. With their expertise, they can help you assess the condition of your cabinets, recommend the right solution for your needs, and ensure the job is done to the highest standards. There is a big overlap in costs between the different options and sometimes you might find a full cabinet replacement is actually the most cost effective option. Having a professional guide you through the process can save you time, money, and a lot of stress—while making sure you get the best results for your investment. See our guide on choosing a kitchen contractor here

If you’re in the Twin Cities Area and ready to start the conversation about your kitchen remodel, please feel free to reach out for more information!