When it comes to kitchen renovations, every decision is a big one. Before you make a move, it’s therefore important to spend some time exploring all your options. One of them involves refacing kitchen cabinets. Should you reface or replace? 

Here are some ways you can decide which option is the best for your specific space and circumstances:

Evaluate Your Kitchen Cabinets Before Refacing

Before you decide whether to reface cabinets or renovate completely, take a look at your cabinets. Are they a little dated, worn out in areas, or not a match for your current style? 

Refacing is an ideal option if you’ve noticed your cabinets are looking a little sad. You can get cabinets that look like they’re brand new – and right from the factory – all without having to deal with the mess and expense of a total renovation.

Consider Your Budget for Renovations

Refacing your kitchen cabinets can cost a fraction of a total renovation. It’s, therefore, a more affordable path to a whole new look, one that can make a big impact on the appearance of your kitchen and overall home value. 

In addition, if you choose this more cost-friendly approach to an upgrade, you may have extra room in your budget to enhance other areas, whether it’s renewing granite countertops that have lost their luster, refinishing old, scuffed wood floors, or painting your kitchen a new color. 

Think About Your Kitchen’s Flow

If your kitchen layout is one that functions well, then refacing cabinets instead of replacing makes more sense from every standpoint, including economically and in terms of turnaround. On the other hand, if the space is inefficient, awkward or hard to use in any way, a redesign might be in order. In that case, you’ll need to invest in a complete cabinet renovation.

Take Into Account Future Plans

If you’re going to sell your home soon and want to upgrade your kitchen to improve the value, then refacing cabinets will provide a better return on your investment. You’ll be able to dramatically enhance the look and feel of the space, all in a way that costs far less than a full replacement. 

Your kitchen will make a striking impression online and during open houses, potentially attracting more buyers and better offers. 

Factor In Turnaround Time of Refacing Kitchen Cabinets vs. Replacing

If you want new cabinets in your kitchen as quickly as possible, then refacing is the right choice for you. A total renovation involves ripping out your cabinets in their entirety and fully replacing them. This option will take weeks. Refacing the doors and drawer fronts instead, while leaving the boxes intact, can be performed in around five days, depending on the size of your kitchen. 

Look at the Impact on the Planet 

In addition to the factors above, another reason to consider refacing kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them involves the impact on the environment. If you’re looking to upgrade old, worn-out cabinets, but want a solution that’s healthier for the earth, refacing provides a great option. Your old cabinet boxes won’t end up in a landfill. In addition, fewer trees are used in a refacing project versus a total replacement. This, in turn, leads to lower consumption of fossil fuels during the manufacturing and transportation process. 

A Few Other Considerations When it Comes to Refacing Kitchen Cabinets

When you reface cabinets instead of replacing them, you’ll still have many options to choose from. You can decide whether painting or staining them is the right look for you. You can further personalize the final result with finishing techniques, like antiquing, as well different sheens and hardware. The outcome will be a completely transformed kitchen with cabinets that look brand new. 

If, however, your cabinet boxes are sagging or showing other signs of damage, then it’s time for a full replacement. It doesn’t make financial sense to install new doors and drawer fronts on cabinet boxes that are not structurally sound. 

Also, if your current kitchen cabinets aren’t meeting your storage needs, then a total renovation might be a better alternative than refacing. This will enable you to install cabinets that take up the same footprint, but work better to provide more storage capacity and increased functionality in your kitchen. 

The Bottom Line?

Refacing your kitchen cabinets is a great option if you want to remodel and have:

  • Well-constructed cabinets with boxes that are in good shape. 
  • An existing cabinet layout that makes sense and is functional. 
  • A vision for a subtle or dramatic upgrade, but don’t want a lot of mess or long turnaround time.

If, however, your existing cabinets have structural damage or there’s a big issue with flow or storage capacity, then installing all new cabinets, including boxes, is a better move to make.

If you’re looking to find out more about whether refacing kitchen cabinets is right for your specific renovation project, call your local N-Hance® at (855) 642-6230 for a FREE estimate.