Comparing Kitchen Cabinet Refacing And Replacement
When doing a kitchen remodel, your cabinets are one of the most important fixtures to consider redoing. By changing the appearance of your cabinet doors, you can alter the entire aesthetic of your kitchen. There are two main processes for changing up the appearance of kitchen cabinets: they can be refaced or entirely replaced. Both of these processes have a unique set of advantages and drawbacks, and understanding the differences between the two can help you choose the one that is the best fit for you.
Refacing Kitchen Cabinets
Refacing kitchen cabinets is a fairly simple process that involves removing the fronts of the kitchen cabinets and drawers, exposing the underlying wood. New fronts (which are made out of a thin veneer, usually out of wood) are then installed over the exposed wood, as well as new handles and other accessories if you so desire.
The main advantage of refacing is that it is quicker and less expensive than replacing the entirety of the cabinets, while still providing a completely refreshed aesthetic to your kitchen. This represents a much less significant disruption to your house and routine, and is the ideal option for homeowners under a budget.
Replacing Kitchen Cabinets
Replacing kitchen cabinets is a much more involved process than refacing them, and consists of taking down the entirety of the cabinets and drawers – including the interior shelving and walls. However, this does provide a number of benefits. Firstly, any structural damage to your cabinets will be replaced by new materials. Secondly, you get a chance to change the layout of your kitchen by altering the placement, sizing, and amount of cabinets that you have in your kitchen. Additionally, it should be noted that since the new cabinets are made out of entirely new materials, they will have a much longer lifespan when compared to cabinets which have simply been refaced, while still providing a completely refreshed aesthetic.
Of course, replacing such a major part of your kitchen will come with some drawbacks. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, is the price associated with replacing your cabinets. As the old cabinets have to be completely removed, and new ones ordered, assembled, and installed, it can cost significantly more to have your cabinets replaced than refaced. Secondly, while it is possible for homeowners to replace their cabinet veneers by themselves if they have the right knowledge and tools, replacing your cabinets is more complex and thus requires professional installation, which further drives up the price.
