Cabinet Refacing: The Recommended Kitchen Update – Part 2: Why Opt for Cabinet Refacing?

Who ever thought changing the face of your cabinets can do so much?! Although cabinet refacing doesn’t completely overhaul your kitchen, it can still impart a dramatic improvement comparable to the effect that more conventional options such as replacements and remodels have. But aside from the sheer beauty of new cabinet faces, refacing is also great because:

• It costs less. Whether you’re looking to work with a budget or not, saving on costs is always a good thing. Refacing lets you enjoy that because you’re only changing exposed portions of your kitchen cabinets and not the cabinet themselves. That means less work so you only pay for a fraction of the price of a replacement.

• It is fast to complete. Installing a new set of cabinets requires a professional remodeler to tear down existing cabinets and clear out the spot to make room for new ones. This can take anywhere from 1-2 weeks, especially for moderately-sized kitchens. On the other hand, refacing kitchen cabinets usually takes just between 3 to 5 days to complete. This is a big deal since every second your kitchen is being remodeled is a second you’re not putting it to good use.

• It offers a wide range of surface options. Veneers come in a number of colors, patterns, and finishes, ensuring that there’s a choice particularly suited for your kitchen. Want the charm of maple, cherry or oak wood? Real wood veneers are also available.

• It is environmentally sound. Cabinet refacing produces less trash compared to a complete cabinet replacement where old cabinets have to be stripped away from your kitchen before new ones are installed. Even if you opt for real wood veneers, you will still be using less new wood overall when you resurface, lessening the need to harvest wood.

• It lasts long. it’s easy to see refacing as a temporary kitchen remodeling solution given its simplicity and cost, but veneers and drawer fronts installed properly can actually last for up to 20 years.  Of course, material and installation quality have a hand in how long a refaced cabinet lasts so it’s best to enlist a remodeling expert to install them for you.

• It simplifies repairs. Got a damaged kitchen cabinet door? No sweat! Refacing can take care of the problem immediately because you don’t have to involve the entire cabinet.

What are your refacing options and what can you do to make the most out of refacing? Head on over to Part 3 of this blog series to learn more