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Finances & Money

The Homeowner’s Guide To Cabinet Refacing vs Cabinet Replacing

October 6, 2020
By Susan Paige
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To reface or to replace? 

That is the question homeowners have to ask themselves any time they’re doing a kitchen cabinet renovation.

What is a cabinet refacing exactly? What’s the difference between a reface and a replacement and how can you decide which one works best for you?

If you’ve ever wondered about this, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what homeowners need to know about cabinet refacing and replacing.

Cabinet Refacing vs Cabinet Replacing: Is There a Difference?

Despite the fact that the names sound similar-ish, cabinet refacing and cabinet replacing are two very different things. Here’s a basic summary:

  • Cabinet Refacing: This is where you keep the cabinet frames and make changes to the doors with maybe a touch of paint refinishing. In 2012, the National Kitchen and Bath Association observed that cabinet refacing could be a nice cost-saving move for homeowners. But that being said, refacing may not be the best choice for every situation. 
  • Cabinet Replacing: This is where the entire kitchen cabinet is replaced. Cabinet replacing is a powerful option that can allow you to totally change your layout in one go. However, for minor changes, replacements can be financial overkill.

Which Way Should You Go?

Fundamentally, the answer to this question comes down to what you’re looking to change. Here are some common scenarios that homeowners can run into:

1. Are Your Problems With Your Cabinets Cosmetic? Reface.

Superficial or cosmetic changes may be more effectively dealt with by refacing your cabinet. Outdated colors or sticky door hinges would generally fall under this category. 

Homeowners in this situation don’t have to choose between living with a color scheme they dislike or ripping the whole thing out. A cabinet refacing can allow you to make cosmetic changes and get the appearance you want in practically no time at all. And in some cases, it may even be possible to turn your cabinet refacing into a DIY project.

2. Do You Have An Issue With The General Layout? Replace.

In 2018, a paper published in the Nutrition Journal observed that Americans were cooking more between 2003 and 2016. 

When you’re in a kitchen that’s designed in a way that feels counterintuitive to you, it can be hard to feel at home. 

In this situation, a cabinet replacement allows you to create the look you’ve always wanted from the ground up. 

3. Problems With Functionality? Replace. 

Sometimes the state of your cabinet leaves you with no choice but to make an outright cabinet replacement. If the wood is old and warping or perhaps showing signs of water damage or mold damage, that’s not a situation that can be salvaged with some new doors and a fresh coat of paint. 

If you’re not sure what kind of shape your cabinets are in, you may need to get them looked at by a professional. Fortunately, there are big names like Sam’s Club making it easier for homeowners to get consultations and kitchen cabinet installations done at reasonable prices. 

Replacing the cabinet replacing allows you to replace faulty or broken down cabinets with totally new ones. 

Conclusion 

The “refacing” vs “replacing” decision almost always comes into play when kitchen cabinets are being renovated. Just to make things even more complicated, each approach has its benefits and drawbacks but homeowners don’t always have the luxury of pursuing the most convenient option.  But if you ever find yourself caught at these crossroads, just remember that refacing is better for superficial problems while replacing is best for structural ones. 

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