Refacing kitchen cabinets is a way to update your kitchen look without the high price of a full replacement. Yes, you absolutely can reface your kitchen cabinets yourself, or you can hire professionals to do the job. Cabinet refacing involves keeping your existing cabinet boxes intact but replacing or covering the visible parts like doors, drawer fronts, and side panels. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to decide if refacing is right for you and how to get it done.
Why Choose Cabinet Refacing Over Replacement?
Many homeowners face the choice between refinishing old kitchen cabinets, replacing them entirely, or refacing. Refacing strikes a sweet spot in terms of cost, time, and results.
| Feature | Refacing | Replacement | Refinishing (Painting) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Moderate | High | Low to Moderate |
| Time Taken | Days to a Week | Weeks | Days to Weeks |
| Structure Kept | Yes (Boxes remain) | No (Everything is new) | Yes (Boxes remain) |
| Style Change | Significant | Complete | Limited to Color |
| Dust/Disruption | Minimal | High | Moderate to High |
Refacing drastically improves the look. It allows for a major style update without the massive demolition of a full tear-out.
Deciphering the Cost to Reface Kitchen Cabinets
The cost to reface kitchen cabinets varies a lot. It depends on the materials you pick, the size of your kitchen, and whether you do it yourself (DIY) or hire help.
Factors Influencing the Price:
- Materials Used: Wood doors cost more than laminate ones.
- Labor Costs: Hiring professional cabinet refacing services costs more than DIY.
- Extent of Work: Do you just replace doors, or do you cover the boxes too?
- Hardware: New hinges and handles add to the total bill.
Generally, refacing costs about 40% to 60% of the price of buying brand new custom cabinets. For a mid-sized kitchen, DIY refacing might range from \$1,500 to \$3,500, while professional services could run from \$4,000 to \$10,000 or more.
Step-by-Step DIY Cabinet Refacing Tutorial
If you are handy, a DIY cabinet refacing tutorial can save you thousands. This process requires patience and precision.
Phase 1: Preparation and Removal
First, clear out your cabinets. You need a clean, dry workspace.
- Remove Doors and Drawer Fronts: Take off all cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Keep the hardware (hinges, screws) safe. Label everything so you know which door belongs to which opening.
- Remove Handles and Knobs: Take off all pulls and knobs. Save these too, or plan to replace them later.
- Clean the Boxes: Thoroughly clean the existing cabinet boxes. Use a degreaser to remove all grease, grime, and dirt. This step is crucial for good adhesion.
Phase 2: Assessing and Prepping the Boxes
The cabinet boxes must be structurally sound. If they are falling apart, refinishing old kitchen cabinets might be a better option than refacing them.
- Repairs: Fill any deep cracks or holes with wood filler. Sand these areas smooth once dry.
- Sanding (If Necessary): If the boxes have a glossy finish, lightly scuff the surfaces with fine-grit sandpaper (like 120 or 150 grit). This helps the new surface material stick better. Wipe away all dust.
- Prime: Apply a high-quality bonding primer designed for surfaces that will hold laminate or veneer. Good adhesion starts here.
Phase 3: Choosing Cabinet Refacing Materials and Installation
Choosing cabinet refacing materials is the most fun part. This determines the final look of your kitchen. Common options include wood veneers, high-pressure laminate (HPL), or thermofoil.
Door Replacement Options
You have several cabinet door replacement options:
- Full Overlay Doors: These doors cover most of the cabinet frame when closed. They offer a sleek, modern look.
- Partial Overlay Doors: These leave some of the frame visible when closed.
- Shaker Style: A classic look with a flat center panel and raised frame.
- Flat Panel (Slab): A very modern, simple look often used with laminate.
If you are using laminate kitchen cabinet refacing, you will cut the laminate sheets to perfectly fit the side panels and the front face frames.
- Applying Veneer or Laminate to Frames: Carefully apply your chosen material to the face frames. Use contact cement or the adhesive recommended for your material. Work slowly, smoothing out bubbles with a rubber roller or plastic spreader.
- Applying to Side Panels (If Needed): If your side panels are visible, measure them precisely. Cut the veneer or laminate, apply adhesive, and press firmly onto the sides of the boxes. Let everything cure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Phase 4: Installing New Doors and Drawers
This is where the kitchen starts to look new.
- Install New Hinges: If you bought new doors, they likely come with new hinges (often soft-close European style). Attach the mounting plates to the cabinet boxes first.
- Attach Doors: Mount the doors onto the hinges. Adjust them until they align perfectly. This takes patience. Doors should be level and have even gaps between them.
- Install Drawer Fronts: Attach the new drawer fronts to your existing drawer boxes. Make sure they are centered before screwing them on tight.
- Add Hardware: Screw on your new knobs and pulls.
Deciphering the Best Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Kits
If you choose the DIY route, selecting the best kitchen cabinet refacing kits can simplify the process. These kits usually include pre-cut veneers or laminate pieces sized for standard cabinet boxes and frames.
What to look for in a good refacing kit:
- Material Quality: Is the veneer real wood or high-quality laminate?
- Adhesive Type: Does it require strong contact cement, or does it come with peel-and-stick backing?
- Inclusions: Does it come with enough material for the frames, sides, and toe kicks?
- Door/Drawer Options: Can you choose the style and material for your new doors and drawer fronts within the kit structure?
Some of the most popular options involve high-durability vinyl wraps or thermo-fused laminate (TFL) products which are very user-friendly for DIYers.
Comparing Refacing to Painting: Painting vs Refacing Kitchen Cabinets
Many people wonder about painting vs refacing kitchen cabinets. Painting is cheaper upfront, but refacing often lasts longer and offers more dramatic changes.
| Aspect | Refacing | Painting |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Change | Complete material change (e.g., old oak to smooth laminate) | Only color changes; texture remains the same. |
| Durability | Very high, depending on material choice. | Dependent on prep work and paint quality; prone to chipping. |
| Time Investment | Moderate time commitment. | Long curing times; multiple coats needed. |
| Look Consistency | Highly uniform finish across all surfaces. | Can look streaky or show brush marks if not sprayed professionally. |
If your existing cabinet doors have deep, unattractive grain patterns (like older oak), painting won’t hide that texture. Refacing covers the texture completely with a new, smooth surface.
When to Hire Professional Cabinet Refacing Services
While DIY is rewarding, sometimes it makes sense to hire professional cabinet refacing services.
Consider hiring pros if:
- You have custom cabinets: Non-standard sizes make cutting materials difficult for a novice.
- You want sprayed finishes: Achieving a flawless, factory-quality finish usually requires professional spray equipment.
- Your time is limited: Professionals can complete the job in days.
- You want complex door styles: If you want custom-made doors in solid wood, professionals handle the joinery.
Professionals often use high-tech pre-finished wood veneers or solid wood doors that are guaranteed to fit perfectly.
Fathoming Laminate Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
Laminate kitchen cabinet refacing is incredibly popular today. It is durable, water-resistant, and comes in countless styles—from high-gloss solid colors to realistic wood grains.
Laminate is a synthetic material made of layers fused together under heat and pressure. When used for refacing, it adheres tightly to the existing cabinet frames.
Advantages of Laminate:
- Easy to Clean: Wipes down easily with soap and water.
- Cost-Effective: Generally cheaper than solid wood veneer.
- Variety: Offers the widest range of colors and textures.
- Durability: Resistant to scratches and fading compared to some paints.
Exploring Your Cabinet Door Replacement Options
The doors are the most visible part of your kitchen. Selecting the right cabinet door replacement options is key to your new look.
Beyond the styles mentioned earlier (Shaker, Slab), you must also consider the material of the new doors.
- Solid Wood: Most expensive, classic, can be repainted later if desired.
- MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard): Excellent base for paint or laminate wraps because it is stable and smooth. Great for contemporary styles.
- Thermofoil: A vinyl layer heated and vacuum-pressed onto an MDF core. Very budget-friendly, but can peel or discolor over time with intense heat (like from a toaster oven placed too close).
Revitalizing Old Cabinets: When Refinishing Old Kitchen Cabinets is Enough
Sometimes, your cabinets just need a fresh coat of color. If the structure is perfect, the doors are in good shape, and you only want a color change, refinishing old kitchen cabinets might be the right, low-cost path.
Refinishing involves intensive sanding, repairing minor dings, and applying specialized primer and high-quality cabinet paint. This works best when you are happy with the existing door style and layout. If you try to paint laminate or thermofoil cabinets without specialty primers, the paint will often fail quickly.
Maintenance After Cabinet Refacing
Once your new look is installed, maintenance keeps it beautiful.
- Cleaning: Use mild, non-abrasive cleaners. Avoid harsh chemicals, especially on laminate or thermofoil finishes.
- Humidity Control: Extreme humidity swings can cause wood veneers to warp or delaminate.
- Hardware Check: Check hinges and screws every year or so, tightening anything that has become loose due to daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabinet Refacing
Q: How long does the cabinet refacing process take?
A: For a professional job on a standard kitchen, the process usually takes between three days and one week. If you are doing a DIY cabinet refacing tutorial, it might take several weekends, depending on how quickly you work and how long you allow the adhesives and primers to cure.
Q: Can I reface cabinets that have deep grooves or beadboard inserts?
A: Yes, but it requires more work. If you choose laminate kitchen cabinet refacing, you might need to use flexible laminate or specialized veneers designed to conform to contours. If the grooves are very deep, using stick-on veneer might not look perfect, and you may need to look at cabinet door replacement options that offer flat panels instead.
Q: Does refacing add resale value to my home?
A: Yes, a refreshed kitchen adds significant perceived value. When buyers see newly updated cabinets—whether through refacing or replacement—it makes the home feel move-in ready. Buyers recognize that choosing good kitchen cabinet refacing ideas saves them the immediate work of renovation.
Q: Is refacing more durable than painting?
A: Typically, yes. When you choose quality choosing cabinet refacing materials like high-pressure laminate or real wood veneer applied professionally, the bond is often stronger and more resistant to chipping and moisture than even the best cabinet paint job.
Q: What is the difference between refacing and resurfacing?
A: The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically:
* Refacing generally means replacing or covering the doors, drawer fronts, and the visible frames (the ‘face’).
* Resurfacing can sometimes just mean sanding and painting the existing surface without replacing the doors or covering the frames with new material. Refacing implies a more comprehensive visual overhaul.