Recognizing Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Changing the appearance of the cabinets is a primary aim (and often the sole one) during the kitchen renovation. Surprisingly, cabinets in good structural condition are often dismantled and rebuilt merely because the homeowner dislikes how they appear. This is like throwing away an excellent automobile because you don’t like the color. In many cases, however, you may radically alter the appearance of your kitchen using a technique known as refacing, which provides the majority of the benefits of cabinet replacement for a fraction of the expense.

Cabinet “skins” are replaced during cabinet refacing, which entails taking off the doors and drawer fronts and a fresh veneer to the body of the cabinet (“carcass”). The hinges, knobs, and drawer pull frequently change during refacing.

How Does Refacing Work?

Many companies specialize in cabinet refacing. A knowledgeable and patient do-it-yourselfer can also undertake cabinet refacing by purchasing a veneer kit that includes the wood veneers and application supplies, then ordering cabinet doors and drawer fronts separately. In any case, the procedure is the same:

• Cabinet doors have been removed, as have drawers and their fronts (the rest of the drawers boxes remain intact).
• The fronts of the cabinet boxes are covered with RTF (Rigid Thermofoil), a melamine-based material, or natural wood veneer.
• Wood veneer or laminate is used to cover the cabinet sides.
• If necessary, new door hinges are installed. In good condition, hinges can potentially be reused.
• Doors and drawer fronts have been replaced.
• New knobs, drawer pulls, and other fittings are typically added. Existing gear that is in excellent condition can also be repurposed.
• Crown molding, glass panels, lighting, and storage accessories are installed as options.

A cabinet refacing expert typically takes two to four days to finish this task, depending on the size of your kitchen. A three-day timetable may look like this:

• Day 1: Take out the hardware, doors, and drawer fronts. Begin the veneering process. Pick up and clean.
• Day 2: Continue with the veneering. Pick up and clean.
• Finish veneering on Day 3. Replace the doors and drawer fronts. Set up the hardware. Make any necessary final modifications.

Allow at least a week for this task if you are doing it yourself with kit supplies.

Cabinet Refacing Evaluation

Not every cabinet is suitable for refacing. This isn’t to say that old cabinet aren’t good prospects; in many situations, older cabinet boxes have sturdier structures than modern factory-manufactured boxes and would happily take new veneer and doors. These are the characteristics of suitable refacing cabinets:

• Strongbox structure composed of smooth and in good condition plywood or MDF panels. Smooth, firm surfaces are required for new veneers to attach effectively.
• Solid hardwood face frames. Suitable hardwood face frames may receive veneers and serve as sturdy anchors for new doors.
• Internal hardware (drawer tracks, internal storage parts) in good condition. If the drawers do not open smoothly or the cabinets lack shelving or storage accessories, refacing may not be worth the cost.

Costs

Refacing cabinets is less expensive than replacing your kitchen cabinets with bespoke cabinets, but don’t rush into it thinking it’s a cheap option for new cabinets. Refacing accomplished by an installation professional often costs 30 to 50% less than bespoke cabinet replacement. Professional cabinet resurfacing costs start at $90 per linear foot of cabinets for a laminate finish and may go up to $455 per foot for a natural wood veneer.

Advantages And Disadvantages

When comparing choices for your kitchen makeover, consider the benefits and drawbacks of cabinet refacing.

• Advantages
  • The kitchen arrangement is retained. If your current kitchen layout satisfies your needs, refacing is ideal.
  • There are several design alternatives. There are dozens of different veneer possibilities for laminates and natural woods.
  • I was saving money. Refacing provides the appearance of new cabinets for around half the price of new bespoke cabinets. However, expenditures must be carefully examined.
  • Refacing is a low-impact renovation alternative. Because many cabinet boxes are constructed of MDF, which includes formaldehyde, a toxic chemical, refacing keeps cabinet boxes out of the trash. It also prevents other trees from being felled to build more cabinet boxes.
• Disadvantages
  • Finishing wood veneers may need additional procedures for staining and varnishing.
  • There are no layout modifications available. If your kitchen requires a footprint adjustment, refacing is not an option since it does not allow for modifying the layout or expanding countertop space.
  • The inside of the boxes does not alter. If your present cabinets lack shelves or other storage features, changing them to suit storage demands might cost a lot of money. Dingy interiors will need a cabinet painter.