Is your cabinet a good candidate for refacing? The following elements will indicate whether your cabinets could be a good candidate for refacing:

  • Sturdy box construction made of MDF panels or plywood that are smooth and in pristine condition.
  • Internal hardware in good shape
  • Face frames made with solid hardwood

The Advantage of Cabinet Refacing

The reason why cabinet refacing has been increasing in popularity is because of its long list of benefits. These benefits include:

  • Cost-effective

Kitchen cabinets account for the majority of the kitchen remodeling budget. But, if your kitchen cabinetry has good backbones, then opting for a cabinet refacing would be a much more cost-effective option instead of changing everything entirely.

  • Eco-friendly

Since you will only be replacing some parts of your cabinetry, you will not use too much new wood or dump the old ones. This makes the process more eco-friendly because you will not be contributing much to the landfills. At the same time, you wouldn’t be cutting down trees and making them into new cabinets.

  • Plenty of Style options

There are tons of veneer options for you to choose from. Whether you want natural woods or laminates, you can have it if you choose cabinet refacing.

  • Kitchen Layout is Retained

If you like your kitchen layout and it works for you, then you don’t have to worry because cabinet refacing will not change that at all. This will also help quicken your remodeling period because refacing is much faster than ripping out old cabinets and fitting new ones.

The Disadvantage of Cabinet Refacing

Of course, there are also some downsides with cabinet refacing which is why it is not always a recommended option. These disadvantages include:

  • No Space for Upgrade

Suppose your current cabinet does not have enough storage solutions for your needs. In that case, cabinet refacing might not be a good option for you. This is because the cabinet-box interior will be retained. The only thing that will have significant change will be the exterior.

  • Cost Control

Yes, cabinet refacing is significantly more affordable than buying and installing new cabinets. However, the associated cost with kitchen refacing can easily add up. For example, changing the hinges and handles can be a bit expensive, especially if you choose higher-quality and more modern-looking options.

  • The Layout Cannot be Changed

This was mentioned as an advantage of cabinet refacing, but conversely, it can also be a disadvantage. You have to remember that you will be keeping the skeleton of your cabinets with cabinet refacing. This means that the layout will remain the same way as it is right now.

If your current cabinet layout does not work for you or you want to make some changes, you might want to explore other options instead of cabinet refacing.

  • Other Potential Challenges

It is possible for you to do DIY cabinet refacing. However, doing it without the necessary skills or experience can be quite challenging and can even result in costly mistakes. Installing hinges and handles will be very manageable, but veneering is actually an acquired skill. Although doing it on your own might be more cost-effective, it is best to have professionals handle it to save time, effort, and money.

Bottom Line

Basically, cabinet refacing is the process of changing the skin of your kitchen cabinet to change its appearance without needing to install new ones. The main advantage of this is that it is more cost-effective compared to replacing it entirely with newer cabinets.

However, just like with anything in this world, cabinet refacing also has its fair share of disadvantages. Some of these disadvantages include no room for upgrade, unchangeable layout, cost control, and other potential challenges.

At the end of the day, whether kitchen refacing is the best choice for you depends on your needs, preference, and priority. Hopefully, this article has been helpful in your decision-making process.

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