When Should You Replace Cabinets and When Should You Reface Them?

Reface or replace? That’s the question you may be asking yourself if your kitchen cabinets are looking a little tired and dated. Both refacing and replacing cabinets involve removing the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, but they have very different implications. Whether you choose to replace or reface will depend on your budget and the level of renovation you wish to undertake. There are pros and cons to both methods, so we’ll take a look at when it’s best to replace and when it’s better to reface.

What Is Refacing?

Refacing is a process that involves painting over existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with new paint or stain to give them a new look. It can also include completely replacing the doors, drawer fronts, and drawer boxes.

It is important to note, refacing does not always mean budget friendly. Often times it can cost just as much if not more than replacing all your cabinets. The new doors, drawer fronts, and drawer boxes, along with new hinges, drawer slides, and hardware starts to add up. And to make the job look right, paint or stain needs to be sprayed which is often an overlooked cost.

What Does Cabinet Refacing Involve?

If you choose to reface your cabinets, you’ll simply remove the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, sand and repaint the inside, and then replace the doors and drawer fronts with new ones. Refacing cabinets can be a great alternative to replacing them, and is a good option if you want a fresh look but want to keep your existing layout. You can choose to repaint the cabinets, or you can change the color entirely to give your kitchen a new look. If you decide to change the color, it’s best to choose a color that complements the existing flooring, countertops, and backsplash tiles to make your kitchen look as cohesive as possible.

What are the Benefits of Refacing your Cabinet

●     Less mess: The demolition work is minimal which means your home won’t feel like a construction zone.

●     Same layout: If you want to keep your existing layout, you can reface cabinets without having to replace them. This is great if you have limited space or are happy with your layout.

●     Keep your investment: You can increase the value of your home by refinishing your cabinets, meaning you won’t have to worry about losing money on your investment if you reface instead of replacing them.

When Should You Choose Cabinet Refacing Option?

●     Your cabinets are in a good, functioning condition - If your cabinets are in good condition, then there’s no reason to replace them, meaning you should reface them instead.

●     You want to change the color - If you want to change the color of your cabinets, but they’re in good condition, then refacing is the best option for you.

●     You want a quick refresh - If you’re looking for a quick refresh, then refacing is the perfect option. You only need to remove the doors and drawer fronts and then you can simply put them back again.

●     You have a lot of cabinets - If you have a large amount of cabinets, then replacing them all will be very time-consuming and expensive. This is when you should consider refacing instead.

What does Cabinet Replacement Involve?

If you choose to replace your cabinets, you’ll need to completely empty them. You’ll then need to remove the old cabinets and install new ones in their place. Replacement is a good option if your cabinets are in very bad condition, or you want to significantly change the layout of your kitchen. If you choose to replace your cabinets, you can choose a different layout, and you can even change the functionality of your kitchen by installing new cabinets.

What are the Benefits of Replacing Your Cabinets

●     New layout - If you choose to replace your cabinets, you can change the layout of your kitchen as you see fit.

●     New design - If you have old cabinets that clash with your home’s interior design, then replacing them will help resolve this problem.

●     New functionality - You can choose new cabinets that have different functionality, such as ones that have pull-out drawers, overhead cabinets, or even touch-activated doors. Soft close everything is the new standard as well with new cabinets!

●     New look - Replacing your cabinets will give your kitchen a new look, meaning it’s perfect if you want to change the design of your kitchen.

●     New quality - New cabinets will look and feel more high-end than old ones, and they’ll be much sturdier too.

When Should You Replace Cabinets?

●     Your cabinets are in poor condition - If they’re falling apart, then they’re not fit for purpose, so it’s best to replace them.

●     You want a different layout - If you have limited space and are happy with the layout of your kitchen, but the cabinets have to go, then replacing them is the best option for you.

●     You want to increase the value - If you want to increase the value of your home, then replacing your cabinets is the way to go.

Replace vs Reface: Which One Is Better?

The answer depends on a number of factors. If you have cabinets that need updating, you'll want to weigh the pros and cons of each option before deciding what kind of update will be best for your home.

The Bottom Line

Cabinet refacing and replacement are great options for updating your kitchen. If you have dated cabinets, then you have the option to either reface or replace them. However, you must first determine if your cabinets are in good condition or if they’re in need of replacement. You can choose to replace or reface depending on your budget and what you want to achieve with your kitchen renovation.