Most of the time, when people are looking for ways to save money on their kitchen remodel, they think of cabinet refacing. Cabinet refacing is the process in which just the cabinet fronts are replaced and the outsides covered, rather than replacing the entire units. One of the main benefits of this process is that it usually runs about half the cost of complete cabinet replacement. However, cabinet refacing can still be too expensive for the average homeowner, and there are other disadvantages to the process.

If your cabinets are not of a standard size (and this can be a big possibility if you have an older home), or if the cabinets were custom-made, the cost of refacing can be drastically higher, and project time extended, as any new cabinet fronts will need to be custom made.

With cabinet refacing, there is also the risk of damage to underlying cabinets, depending on the method used. In some methods, a veneer is attached with adhesive to the sides. In others, thin plywood is screwed or nailed into the existing wood. This can become an issue if at some point you or a future homeowner decides to revert back to the original cabinets.

In some cases, the veneer used to reface cabinets can fail, causing peeling. Sometimes this occurs just at the corners, but if pulled or snagged, it can be possible to peel the entire veneer off.

Also if you are strapped for time, refacing might not be the best option. While refacing typically only takes a fraction of the time as a complete cabinet replacement, it can still take weeks to complete, depending on if you need pieces custom built or cut.

Luckily, there are other options that are far more cost efficient ways of giving your kitchen a makeover, and can be done on practically any cabinets as long as they are structurally sound.

Cabinet Refinishing, for example, restores your cabinets by removing the old finish that has become embedded with years of grease and grime, repairing any chips and scratches, and applying a protective finish. The result is cabinets that look brand-new again, and this can be extremely desirable if you have older cabinets, especially if they were the original ones built for the home.

Cabinet Painting is another great option for transforming the look of your kitchen, and offers a wide variety of options for you. You can choose to paint some or all of the cabinets. Cabinet painting is usually the most inexpensive way to update your kitchen’s look and improve your homes value.

Want to learn more abut how cabinet refinishing may be the best choice for you? Click here to read about our process.