Cabinet Refacing vs Painting: Which One is a Better Option?

If your kitchen is past its prime and you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to transform it into a show stopper, there are two simple solutions – cabinet refacing or cabinet painting.

Don’t know the difference between the two?

No problem! This cabinet refacing vs painting guide will help you understand the differences between both processes and allow you to choose the best option for your kitchen.

Cabinet Refacing vs Painting

Though these words sound similar, both techniques are rather different. To help you understand their differences, let’s look at each one in more detail.

What is Cabinet Refacing?

Refacing is exactly what it sounds like – changing the ‘face’ of the kitchen cabinets. This process uses the existing cabinetry framework while changing the most visually prominent areas of the cabinets, i.e., the doors and drawer fronts.

Cabinet Refacing Process

Refacing is an amazing option for changing cabinet styles. If you’re interested in learning how to refinish kitchen cabinets, here are the steps professionals follow during refacing:

• Old cabinet doors and drawers are removed.
• The existing cabinet framework is reinforced with a veneer of real wood or laminate.
• New doors and drawer fronts are installed.

You can also completely transform your kitchen’s appearance by changing the handles, knobs, hinges, and molding.

What is Cabinet Painting?

Painting your kitchen cabinets is another way to revamp your kitchen. This time, you’re simply going for a cabinet color change. You’ll be surprised how much a fresh coat of paint can brighten up your kitchen.

Cabinet Painting Process

Repainting cabinets is a quick fix that gives your kitchen an impactful visual boost. Professionals can alter the look of your kitchen with cabinet painting. The process includes the following steps:

• The old cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware are removed.
• The cabinets are thoroughly cleaned of oil, debris, and grease.
• The doors and drawers are repaired, covering scuffs and nicks.
• The surface is sanded.
• A primer is applied, followed by a coat of paint, and left to dry.
• Knobs, handles, and hinges are reattached before the cabinet doors and drawers are put back.

Role of Refacing and Painting In Enhancing The Look Of Your Kitchen

A complete kitchen remodel is expensive and overwhelming. This makes refacing or painting cabinets a preferred option. Here’s what you get when you opt for any of the two.

Budget-Friendly Kitchen Renovations

Both refacing and painting are much cheaper than a complete kitchen remodel.

Refacing uses the existing kitchen framework, while the doors and drawer fronts are changed. Therefore, it requires considerably less material and labor. In fact, by refacing your kitchen cabinets, you can save as much as 50% of the cost of new kitchen cabinetry.

Painting, on the other hand, utilizes your current kitchen’s doors and drawers. So you only encounter the cost of painting them.

Quicker Renovation

A complete kitchen remodels can take as long as six weeks, but refacing and painting kitchen cabinets are quick and simple processes. They can take as little as a week to complete. However, the time can vary depending on the dimension of your kitchen and the number of cabinets.

Variety of Renovation Options

You have a ton of renovation options using the existing cabinet framework and kitchen layout. With refacing, you can choose any wood finish, veneer, or laminate to upgrade your kitchen. On the other hand, if you want to repaint your kitchen’s existing cabinets, you can choose from different cabinet color ideas according to your preference.

This is all great, but I bet you want a more detailed cabinet refacing vs painting comparison, right?

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of these in detail so that you have a clearer picture.

Pros and Cons of Cabinet Refacing and Painting

Pros of Refacing

Gives Your Cabinets a Brand New Look

Refacing offers plenty of customization options to aesthetically update your kitchen.

Cons of Refacing

Slightly More Expensive

A lot more materials and labor are required during refacing, so the cost to reface cabinets is going to be more than painting them.

Pros of Painting

Cheaper Option

You guessed it, painting the cabinets is cheaper than refacing them. So this is a great way to save a ton of money – and use it to renovate other parts of your house. 😉

Cons of Painting

Not all Cabinets Can Be Painted

Some cabinets cannot be painted, such as those with detailed grain patterns. And sometimes, the doors and drawers are so damaged and chipped that painting won’t help upgrade the look of your kitchen. If anything, the paint may make the flaws more prominent.

Painted Cabinets are High Maintenance

Painted cabinets typically require more maintenance than refaced ones. Dust and grease can easily build up on the surface.

What’s more, the paint can chip, crack, and scuff. So you may have to repaint the cabinets after a few years.

Which One Is Better?

There is no winner when it comes to the cabinet refacing vs painting debate. However, there are cases when you should opt for one over the other.

For instance, cabinet refacing is a better option if:

• you have enough money to cover the cost to reface kitchen cabinets
• the current condition of the front of the cabinets doors, and drawers is pretty shabby.
• you aren’t happy with the way the cabinets look because they’re out of style
• you want to add more value to your home

On the other hand, painting is a better option if:

• you have a limited budget
• the kitchen cabinets are in good shape, and you want to modify their look.

Get ready to Revamp Your Kitchen

Everyone has a different kitchen renovation budget. Homeowners typically choose kitchen cabinet refacing and painting services since they’re cheaper and more convenient than an entire kitchen remodel.

At the end of the day, you need to decide between cabinet refacing vs painting, depending on what’s best for you – and your kitchen.

When starting your kitchen renovation project, start by defining your preferences. Look for ideas that align with your lifestyle and will help you appreciate the value of your home.

But don’t limit yourself to only revamping your kitchen cabinets. NDA Construction can help fix, maintain, and renovate various aspects of your kitchen. We install and repair countertops, islands, backsplash, sinks, faucets, and much more.

Let’s offer your kitchen a refreshed look and feel.