In the past, if you wanted your cabinets refreshed, you could either refinish them or replace them. Now, there’s a newer option with cabinet refacing. But what’s the difference between refinishing your kitchen cabinets and refacing them? Here’s what to know so you can make the right choice for your home improvement project.

The Basics of Refinishing Your Kitchen Cabinets 

Refinishing is the simplest, most affordable way to renewed kitchen cabinets. You can take dull, drab, damaged, or worn-out cabinets and transform them. When refinishing kitchen cabinets, you can refresh the existing color or refinish it to a deeper or richer hue. 

If your kitchen cabinets are in good shape physically, then refinishing offers a cost-friendly option, especially when compared to a complete replacement. In fact, when compared to replacing your cabinets, you can save thousands of dollars. Even if your cabinets have some damage, the craftsman should be able to sand and repair these spots easily. Your cabinets will then look like new with a smooth finish, minus the dents, nicks, chips, scratches, and other flaws.

When you refinish your cabinets, you can opt for a different look by choosing from a satin, semi-gloss, or gloss finish, depending on the style you want to achieve. Once you add new hardware, like updated doorknobs and drawer pulls, you can upgrade your cabinets in a big way, all for a small cost.

The Basics of Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets 

Cabinet refacing is different from refinishing because it involves adhesive material placed on cabinets or replacing the drawer fronts and doors altogether. N-Hance® offers “cabinet door replacement”. 

Basically, with cabinet refacing, you choose a new style of door and drawer front, then have your cabinet boxes painted or stained to match. This gives the appearance of having had brand new cabinets installed, all at a fraction of the cost of a complete renovation. 

Not only does it cost less than replacing your cabinets, but can also be completed faster- in just a matter of days. A complete renovation often takes weeks, so refacing means minimal downtime, too.

If you choose to reface, you can select from a variety of different door and drawer styles, from traditional to modern and everything in between. You can also consider a range of paint colors or stains, depending on the aesthetic you’d like to achieve.

With refacing, you’re essentially re-using the biggest part of your cabinets – the boxes – and only replacing the front. If you have quality hardwood cabinets, then they probably still have many years of use left in them. By taking this approach, you can get the most from your existing cabinets, while still getting the fresh look you want.

Plus, beyond a new door style and color, you can also opt for finishing techniques, like antiquing or even adding on crown molding to the upper cabinets or glass paneled accent cabinets. This provides a dramatic transformation in your kitchen, all at a more comfortable cost than renovating.

Which is Right for You: Refacing or Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets?

It depends on your cabinets, your budget, and your vision. If, for instance, you don’t like the design of your cabinets and they seem dated, then refacing will provide a completely different look. You can choose from Shaker, solid panels, or even create your own custom design with a variety of options for the panels, edges, stiles, and rails. 

Likewise, if you want to upgrade the look of your kitchen cabinets, refacing offers more options than refinishing. You can choose from a wide range of paint colors, specialty techniques, and various wood types to further bring your vision to life. 

If, however, cost is the most important factor, then refinishing your kitchen cabinets can renew them in the most economical way. This is simply because there’s no cost for new materials and shipping them. Labor costs are also lower because refinishing takes less time. Yet, you can still revitalize the look of your cabinets with a like-new finish- just in a more affordable way.

In addition, if you want the most sustainable option for your kitchen cabinets, then refinishing gives you the most eco-friendly approach. You’re not using any new wood in the process and are simply revamping your existing cabinets. At the same time, without new materials needed, you don’t have to worry about fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions to transport the wood. You’ll get cabinets that look beautiful and make you feel good too. 

Still Not Sure? Let N-Hance Help

When you give our team a call and schedule a consultation, we can further explain our steps for both kitchen cabinet refinishing and refacing and also discuss your unique style and preferences. We’ll then be able to provide you with cost estimates and a time frame so you can make an informed choice.

Once you do, we can help with every detail, from choosing colors, wood types, specialty techniques, hardware, and more. Then, all you have to do is clean out your cabinets and lead us to your kitchen. We’ll handle the rest so you get a beautifully transformed space that works better for your lifestyle.

Whether you’re interested in refinishing your kitchen cabinets or refacing them, we’re the team you can trust for top-quality work, minimal down time, and affordable prices. Call (855) 642-6230 to set up a FREE consultation.