If you’ve been thinking that your kitchen has been feeling a little dull lately, it might be time to give it a new mood and a fresh look. Even if a complete kitchen remodel and replacement of all appliances is out of the question due to financial constraints, you can still consider a light upgrade with a quick cabinet refacing or cabinet resurfacing project.
Kitchen cabinets are one of the most aesthetically appealing and valuable components of your kitchen; they often occupy the whole space from floor to ceiling, hold practically all of the necessary kitchen tools and supplies, and visually dominate the color, theme, and style of your kitchen. Thus, if you’re looking for the #1 aspect of your kitchen to improve the look and feel of the space, updating your kitchen cabinets is at the top of the list.
Here at GreatBuildz, a free service that connects homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura or San Diego with reliable general contractors, we speak to homeowners every day about planning their desired kitchen remodel and cost saving techniques like cabinet refacing – here are some ideas & tips to get you started.
Should I replace or refinish my kitchen cabinets?
Obviously, kitchen cabinets are an imperative element of your kitchen, both visually and ergonomically. If you want to upgrade, repair, or change up your kitchen cabinets, it’s often a lengthy and costly process. Even if you have a small kitchen, the costs can still add up.
Fortunately, if you have a tighter kitchen remodeling budget, you still have a few options for updating the look of your cabinets without replacing them entirely.
Depending on the condition of your existing kitchen cabinets, you may have the option to either reface or resurface them. Cabinet refacing is the process of replacing the exterior surfaces and components of existing cabinetry, such as doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. Alternatively, cabinet resurfacing is the process of refinishing existing cabinet components, such as by sanding and repainting them or covering them with veneers.
Although it may appear simple, there is a lot that goes into refacing or resurfacing kitchen cabinets in your house.
Related: 6 Things You Need To Know Before Starting a Kitchen Remodel
For resurfacing, you may think it’s as easy as taking a paintbrush straight to your cabinets, but to get a new look out of old cabinets, a resurfacing professional will typically require a bit more work.
They will likely insist on removing all of the cabinet doors and drawers and may even want to bring them to a controlled environment, like their shop or warehouse. Here, they’ll strip the cabinets of their existing paint, sand them down so that they are all uniform and free of blemishes, then apply a few coats of paint in your desired color.
They’ll most likely do the same thing for your kitchen cabinet frames (on-site): strip, sand, and paint. Finally, they’ll reinstall all the doors back onto the cabinet frames and upgrade any outdated hardware.
Cabinet refacing can go south when homeowners attempt the job themselves as a DIY kitchen cabinet refacing project. Unfortunately, just searching “how to reface kitchen cabinets” will not provide you with the knowledge and expertise required to accomplish ideal results.
But if you hire a kitchen professional who has done cabinet refacing before and has a good reputation, you’re much more likely to get the kitchen cabinets of your dreams.
Professionals are trained to use specialized equipment and have a keen sense of accuracy that the typical homeowner may lack. Professionals can do the job quickly and with few mistakes because they have done it for years.
5 Reasons To Consider Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
Improved Functionality
By having a professional who refaces cabinets change their look and make them work better, you’ll have a better place to store your kitchen tools, food, and other things. Just because you have old cabinets, doesn’t mean you can’t have some of the luxuries of higher-end, new cabinets. You can finally say goodbye to broken hinges, sticky drawer sides, and splintered edges—and instead say HELLO to soft-close drawers, enhanced storage options, and recessed cabinet lighting!
Minimal inconvenience
When you have your kitchen cabinets refaced, your kitchen stays functional. Because the cabinet structure is not removed, you’ll likely still have access to your appliances, sink, countertops, etc. Thus, you will not be forced to eat out every meal and avoid your kitchen until your cabinets are completed.
Also, because most of the cutting is done outside or off-site, there will be less dust and overall clutter.
Cost-effective
Refacing your cabinets is substantially less expensive than replacing them. New cabinets typically cost between one-third and one-half of the normal kitchen budget. Updating and redoing your kitchen might cost anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000 or more.
Cabinet refacing services give you almost all the benefits of a new set of cabinets in your kitchen but at a highly reduced price. The materials, tools, and services needed for refacing kitchen cabinets are much cheaper than those for a larger kitchen project. That means you’re getting the same quality and effectiveness of new kitchen cabinets, without breaking the bank to achieve it.
Environmentally-Friendly
Cabinet refacing produces significantly less waste. Cabinet replacement entails removing the old ones and installing new ones. Those outdated cabinets are frequently discarded in landfills. You are merely improving your existing cabinets when you reface them. By refacing instead of replacing, you may reduce the amount of waste generated by your project.
Time-saving
Refacing is accessible not just at a fraction of the cost of the replacement but also at a fraction of the time and stress. Because refacing is a faster procedure, your home will be disrupted for less time.
If you were to fully replace your cabinets, the contractor would have to start by removing your appliances, countertops, etc, demolishing your existing cabinets, and clearing the space for the new cabinets to be installed. This creates a lot of waste, which you’ll have to pay to remove from your property!
When it comes to kitchen cabinet refacing or resurfacing, you won’t have the same degree of mess, so you are not required to clean up all the wreckage. A well-executed cabinet refacing project can meet all of your kitchen renovation needs without all of the trouble of a full remodel.
The kitchen is the heart of your home, and refacing your kitchen cabinets is an excellent approach to consider if you want to modernize your kitchen and make it more appealing to you. With the help of professionals, you can continue your daily activities undisrupted, until your kitchen looks brand new, and is more functional.
When it comes to planning and coordinating a kitchen cabinet refacing, you shouldn’t have to go it alone – GreatBuildz can help simplify your remodel experience.
GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura or San Diego with reliable, thoroughly screened general contractors and provides project support from start to finish. Call now (818.317.3567) to chat with a real person about your next remodel project or visit our website for more information: www.GreatBuildz.com
