Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacement vs. Painting
In today’s world of technology and advancement in the construction and home renovation industry, you have so many options for remodeling your kitchen or bathroom.
From gutting it and starting all over, which is the most expensive option, to refacing, to repainting your existing cabinets.
There are so many options for you with a lot of different pros and cons for each option. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of cabinet refacing, replacing your existing cabinets or painting them.
Cabinet Refacing
Let’s start with cabinet refacing.
This is a great way for you to have a brand new kitchen with an elegant look. You can customize the finish, knobs, hinges, drawer pulls, and also the countertops. The best part is that all of this can be achieved at an affordable price. If your existing cabinets which would be the boxes have good bones and structure then you can keep them.
JMT Cabinets can reface them with new drawer fronts, new doors, new laminate, and we can replace your countertop surfaces with quartz, granite, marble, or laminate.
All of these options will result in a brand-new kitchen at a fraction of the cost and time it would take for the traditional remodel or replacement we describe below.
Pros of cabinet refacing
- Minimal Downtime
- Affordable
- Custom Kitchen Look
- New Countertops
Cons of cabinet refacing
- Keeping your existing layout if it doesn’t work for you
Cabinet Replacement
Replacing your cabinets is going to be by far the most costly of all of the options.
This is along the lines of a major construction project. It can be difficult to manage timelines and unexpected costs and setbacks (think of all of those HGTV shows you have watched).
While replacing your cabinets may sometimes seem like the best option, there are many other options to consider. When dealing with cabinet replacement you’re going to be out of your kitchen for a couple of weeks up to a month or sometimes more depending on how the project goes.
You will have to have everything removed in order for work to begin. If you’re doing a remodel you’re going to have to have everything rearranged to allow for new features and layout. Sometimes walls will even be moved to create or open new spaces.
After all of that is done that you’re going to have everything put back into place. If you have done a remodel and not just a replacement, you may have plumbing and electrical permits to wait for. The last step will be finishing touches like painting or tiling.
Out of all three of the options we are discussing, this is the most costly when it comes to both time and money.
Pros of cabinet placement
- Custom Look
- New Countertops
- Possible New Layout
- Additional Features
Cons of cabinet replacement
- Expensive
- Time-consuming
- Frustrating process
Cabinet Painting
The third option when remodeling your kitchen would be repainting your existing cabinets.
This option can save you money and create a brighter kitchen. However, cabinet painting can be difficult and time-consuming. The first step will be removing existing hardware and sanding the wood smooth. When you have your kitchen cabinets painted they will need to be sprayed in order to get a smooth even finish with no brush marks.
This is best achieved by a professional. It will also take time and careful planning because your house will have to be closed off from your kitchen or bath in order to avoid the paint overspray and fumes entering your home.
You will get to choose from almost every color in the rainbow. You can also choose from several options for paint finishes. This option will most likely need to be touched up or redone sooner than either refacing or replacing your cabinets.
Repainting cabinets can be a very economical option. The decision would be up to you whether or not you wanted to replace your countertops as well. If you like the current layout of your kitchen, this may be a great option for you.
You won’t get the custom kitchen look that you would from refacing your kitchen but the cost will be similar.
Pros of kitchen cabinet painting
- Less expensive
- Takes Less time than replacing
- Can choose from many colors
- Can choose from many finishes
Cons of kitchen cabinet painting
- More time-consuming than refacing
- Hiring a professional could be costly
- The finish will not be as durable as a wood finish
- Replacing countertops may add an additional cost
- Kitchen layout will remain the same
Your Home is Your Sanctuary
In order for your home to have the kitchen or bath of your dreams, you want to be informed of all of the options.
There are many choices you can make within each of these options to add to the cost subtract from the cost, add to the design and subtract from the design. Weighing these options should give you a starting point to make your decision.
Your home is your sanctuary, especially kitchens and bathrooms. We spend many many hours in both rooms over the course of our lifetime.
Choosing the right option between cabinet refacing vs. replacement vs. painting will be determined by your budget, your design scheme, and your time frame for your project. Be sure that whatever you choose it is going to be the right thing for you and your family.
Seeing the pros and cons of each option should help you to decide between cabinet refacing, cabinet replacement, and cabinet painting.
