Kitchen cabinet refacing transforms your space without the hassle of a complete remodel. You’ll keep more money in your pocket while getting beautiful results that look just like new cabinets. The process revolutionizes your kitchen’s appearance while keeping your existing cabinet boxes intact.
When researching cabinet updates, you might hear three similar-sounding terms: refacing, refinishing, and resurfacing. These R’s can cause confusion when planning your kitchen project. Each option offers different benefits and outcomes for your kitchen cabinets. But which one is right for you? We’ll break it down for you.
What Is Cabinet Refacing?
Cabinet refacing gives your kitchen a complete makeover by replacing your cabinet doors and drawer fronts while updating the visible surfaces of your existing cabinet boxes. The process starts with removing your existing cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. Your cabinet boxes stay right where they are, helping you save on significant demolition and installation costs.
This process may involve the application of a durable veneer to all visible surfaces of your existing cabinet boxes. This veneer matches your new cabinet doors perfectly, creating a cohesive look. You’ll pick out brand-new cabinet doors in whatever door style catches your eye. The transformation includes new hinges, handles, and drawer pulls to complete your kitchen’s updated style.
What Is Cabinet Refinishing?
Cabinet refinishing breathes new life into wood cabinets by treating the surface of the existing doors and boxes. This process works well when you like your current door style but want to change the color or fix wear and tear. Refinishing kitchen cabinets starts with thoroughly cleaning and sanding all surfaces.
The refinishing process strips away old stains or paint from your existing cabinet doors and boxes. Once the bare wood shows through, refinishing companies will apply new stains or paint in your chosen color. While refinishing cabinets costs less than other options, it works best on solid wood cabinets in good condition. Cabinet refinishing can’t fix damaged doors or update dated styles.
What Is Cabinet Resurfacing?
Cabinet resurfacing sits between refacing and refinishing in terms of scope. This process updates your existing cabinet doors and boxes with a new surface material. Unlike refinishing, which works with the existing wood, resurfacing applies a new layer over your current cabinets.
The cabinet resurfacing process involves cleaning and preparing surfaces before applying new material. To cover your existing cabinet doors and boxes, you might choose laminate, vinyl, or RTF (rigid thermofoil). New cabinet resurfacing can hide minor damage and give your cabinets a fresh look without replacing the doors entirely.
Comparing Time and Cost
Cabinet refacing vs. refinishing shows clear differences in time and investment. Refinishing typically takes a few days but usually costs less since you’re keeping all existing doors. Refacing may also take a few days but includes new cabinet doors and complete surface updates. Resurfacing falls in the middle for both time and cabinet refacing costs.
Durability and Longevity
Your choice affects how long the results will last. Refinishing wood cabinets might need touch-ups after a few years. Cabinet refacing with quality materials can last almost 2 decades. The durability of resurfaced kitchen cabinets depends on the material you choose, usually lasting 10–15 years with proper care.
Which Option Suits Your Kitchen?
At the end of the day, you want to know which one works best for you. And that’s a question that requires many different things to consider. Think about your home, budget, and what you desire. Then factor in the fact that refinishing works best when your existing cabinet doors are solid wood, and you just want a color change. Choose cabinet refacing when you want to update door styles or your current doors show damage. Resurfacing offers a middle ground, perfect when you want more than refinishing but don’t need new doors.
Begin Your Kitchen Cabinet Transformation With Capital Kitchen Refacing
At Capital Kitchen Refacing, we put kitchen refacing right in our name because we believe in its amazing results. We specialize in cabinet refacing and resurfacing, delivering stunning kitchen transformations across Bucks County, PA, Montgomery County, PA, and Burlington County, NJ. Call us today to discover how we can create the kitchen you’ve always wanted with beautiful, updated cabinets that fit your style and budget. Or speak with us to compare the differences between each option and see why we’re right for you.