Kitchen Cabinet Refacing: A Step-By-Step Guide For Homeowners

Cabinet refacing involves replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts while applying a new veneer or laminate over the existing cabinet face frame. Additionally, hardware such as door hinges, handles, drawer pulls, and even the drawer boxes are swapped out. This process allows you to give your kitchen a fresh look at a fraction of the cost of installing new cabinets.

With new doors and drawer fronts, and changing the color of the cabinet's face frame to match the new finish, you can achieve incredible results by with cabinet refacing (photo credit: Coomer & Co).

During my apprenticeship at a custom cabinet shop, we would do quite a bit of refacing: replacing the doors and drawer fronts, replacing the old drawer boxes with new dovetail drawers, and upgrading the drawer guides and hinges with new, soft-close hardware.

If you're happy with the current layout of your kitchen or bath, refacing can be an excellent option!

First, let's start with some basics:

When to Reface Cabinets: Not all cabinets are suitable for refacing. Ensure your cabinets meet the following criteria before considering refacing:

• You're happy with your current kitchen or bath layout

• Sturdy construction with plywood or MDF panels

• Smooth, undamaged cabinet sides and faces

  
  

Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacing: The key difference between refacing and replacing cabinets is that refacing only updates the look, without improving the overall structure. While refacing improves the appearance of the doors and may tighten up drawer roller guides, it does not address any structural issues with the cabinets themselves.

Cabinet Refacing vs. Refinishing: Cabinet refinishing is a more affordable, DIY-friendly alternative to refacing. Refinishing involves painting or staining existing cabinets, which can help avoid waste by keeping the old materials. This process is ideal for those who want to refresh their cabinets without replacing or refacing them.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Maintains the existing kitchen layout

• Offers a variety of style options

• More affordable than replacing cabinets

• Environmentally friendly

  
  

Cons:

• Does not improve the cabinet structure

• No increase in cabinet space

• Cabinet interiors remain unchanged

• Limited DIY options

Adding new features like crown molding, new hardware, and new countertops can drastically improve the look of your kitchen for a fraction of the cost to remodel completely!

DIY vs. Professional Installation While cabinet refacing is typically done by professionals, experienced DIYers can attempt it using all-in-one veneer kits (there are even peel-and-stick options available!). These kits include the necessary veneer and application materials, but you'll need to buy new cabinet doors and drawer fronts separately. Proper veneering requires skill and training to ensure that the veneer stays intact over time.

*Pro tip: Be sure to use phenolic-backed veneer, as opposed to paper-backed. Phenolic-backed veneer can be installed with contact cement without the need for clamping. Paper-backed veneer is designed to be clamped or vacuum-pressed for hours while the adhesive slowly dries.

How Much Does Cabinet Refacing Cost? Professional cabinet refacing costs between 30% and 50% less than custom cabinet replacement. Prices typically range from $100 to $200 per linear foot for laminate finishes, and up to about $455 per linear foot for real wood veneer, with a national average of around $8,300.

How to Reface Cabinets A professional cabinet refacing company typically follows these steps when refacing kitchen or bathroom cabinets:

1. Remove hardware: Detach knobs, pulls, and handles from doors and drawers.

2. Take off doors and drawers: Remove the doors, drawers, and their fronts.

3. Reface cabinet boxes: Apply a wood veneer or laminate to the front of the cabinet boxes.

4. Reface cabinet sides: Apply veneer to the sides of the cabinet.

5. Replace hinges: Reuse the existing hinges if they are in good condition, or replace them.

6. Upgrade internal hardware: If necessary, replace internal elements like drawer tracks or slides.

7. Install new doors: Fit brand-new doors (the old doors will not be veneered).

8. Add new drawer fronts: Attach new drawer fronts to the old drawers.

9. Install new fixtures: Add new knobs, pulls, and handles.

   
   

*Pro tip: look for prefinished veneers and new door / drawer fronts, this ensures you're getting a high-quality factory finish on your new kitchen!

Is Cabinet Refacing Worth It?

Cabinet refacing is a great option if your existing cabinets are in good condition, the layout works for you, and you're primarily seeking a cosmetic update. It offers a faster and more affordable transformation compared to cabinet replacement. However, if your cabinets have structural issues, lack internal storage features, or require a different layout, replacing them would be a better choice than refacing.

Expert Advice At Your Fingertips

After decades in the industry, we completely understand just how overwhelming this all can be. As a recent member said, "the biggest issue I had during my build was not knowing what I did not know, until it was too late". Additionally, while there are a lot of very talented cabinetmakers... there aren't as many talented finishers. Having a partner early in the process to help identify red flags, walk you through what the process should look like, and help vet the other professionals on your project is exactly why we created this community.

We understand that you're not just building a house, you're creating a home, and every detail has to be perfect. Whether it's our blog or free expert advice in our Facebook group, we're here to help you every step of the way!