
If you’d like to update the look of your kitchen without the high costs associated with buying and installing new cabinets, then cabinet refacing or refinishing are decidedly simpler, less expensive approaches.
Cabinet refinishing involves removing the existing cabinet doors and drawer faces, sanding or stripping off the old finish, and applying a new paint or stain to the doors, drawer faces, and cabinets.
Cabinet refacing involves replacing the old doors and drawer faces with brand-new doors and drawer faces. The cabinets are then veneered and stained, or painted, to match the new components.
In both cases, the existing cabinets remain intact. As a result, cabinet refinishing or refacing are more affordable, quicker, and less disruptive than replacing cabinets.
Your choices for the finished look of your cabinets are virtually limitless. Veneers are available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures, grains, and more, which you can mix or match to get a relatively low-cost kitchen facelift. Rigid thermofoil (RTF) doors, which feature a durable plastic coating over fiberboard, are an affordable alternative to wood or laminate doors.
Plastic laminates come in hundreds of colors and patterns, are durable and moisture-resistant, and are reasonably priced. You can pick matching or contrasting laminates for your doors and drawer fronts.
Real wood veneers include many standard species, such as oak, cherry, and maple, and you can also choose from an array of stain colors. Wood veneers are the most expensive option. Wood must be carefully sealed to protect against moisture.
Further customize and update the look of your cabinets with new kitchen cabinet hardware.