Reface or Replace Kitchen Cabinets?

Choosing whether to reface or replace kitchen cabinets is a big decision. It can drastically change your renovation budget, and both options can have dramatically different effects on your long-term home value.

Refacing is quicker, easier and cheaper. Replacing takes more thought, time and money. But deciding whether to reface or replace kitchen cabinets isn’t as easy of a choice as you might think — not after you dig into the details.

Are Your Cabinets Good Candidates for Refacing?

With cabinet refacing, a contractor comes into your home and detaches all your cabinet doors and drawers. A new laminate or wood veneer is attached to the remaining cabinet boxes and the front of each door and drawer. Sometimes new hardware and mounting equipment is installed as well.

You can find laminate veneers that are made to look like wood. These are significantly less expensive. You could opt for real wood, but you can expect to pay 10 to 25 percent more.

While refacing kitchen cabinets is commonly seen as the most cost-effective option, this isn’t always the case. If your cabinet orientation is poorly designed, refacing won’t fix what’s wrong with your kitchen.

Also, if your cabinets are old enough to need refacing, they may be damaged. Water damage and mold inside the cabinet boxes is a definite sign you need to go for a replacement, not just a superficial fix. And if your cabinets are coated with lead paint, you’re definitely better off replacing them.

The Benefits of a Replacement

To replace kitchen cabinets, you’ll need a bigger budget. But what you get from custom wood cabinetry pays off significantly over time.

First, committing to a replacement means you get to reorient your kitchen to improve its function. Many kitchen remodels are conceived because of the problematic layout that makes it difficult to cook and move around. When you rip out your outdated cabinets, you can alter this layout as needed to make your life easier and add value to your home.

Unlike a refacing job, replacing kitchen cabinets means you don’t have to worry about deterioration. There is no structural damage — you’re starting new.

Investing in Custom Cabinetry Always Pays Off

Trust Swirl Woodcraft to design and deliver beautiful custom woodwork. We’ll make you realize you made the right choice to replace kitchen cabinets. And because you’re making a serious investment in your kitchen by opting for custom replacement cabinets, you’re much less likely to need refacing or replacing again anytime soon. Call Swirl Woodcraft today for a free quote.