If you want to update your kitchen cabinets, you have an important decision to make: should you reface or replace? Here’s a rundown of the benefits of each option to help you decide which is right for your kitchen.
Kitchen cabinets play a significant role in the room’s appearance and functionality, taking up much of its real estate. Cabinets play a major role in the look and feel of your kitchen, so if you don’t love your cabinets, you might not enjoy your kitchen as much as you should. Considering the kitchen to be the heart of the home, it is often a top priority for homeowners to update its appearance. However, gut renovations can be difficult and expensive. The good news is that there’s a compromise between doing nothing and going all out.
Updating the cabinets, which are fundamental to a kitchen’s success or failure, can be a cost-effective alternative to a major renovation. For homeowners interested in changing their cabinetry’s look, they typically have two choices: cabinet refacing, which involves replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts with new ones, or cabinet replacement. Although refacing is less invasive (and less expensive) than replacement, in some cases replacement is the better solution. The differences between each approach can be found by reading on!
Cabinet Refacing
Among cost-conscious homeowners, cabinet refacing offers “tremendous bang for the buck.” That’s because it gives the kitchen a brand-new look while the work is contained to the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Cabinet frames-the boxes that hold shelves and drawers-remain intact. You can save “a small fortune on labor and material costs” by strategically targeting the doors, but the scope of the project ultimately depends on how you—and any professionals involved—handle them.
There are several ways to go about this:
- Changing the finish of your existing cabinet doors is an option if you like the style but not the finish. Many homeowners consider adding a veneer to cabinet fronts constructed from materials that cannot be painted or stained.
- In some cases, it may be necessary to install new cabinet doors, especially if the existing ones are damaged or out of style.
Regardless of the route you choose, refacing does not require weeks of downtime for your kitchen.
The benefits of cabinet refacing aren’t for everyone. Refacing would be pointless if you dislike the current layout of your cabinets, for instance. Redesigning the cabinets won’t change or improve their functionality. A contractor can advise you on your options if your cabinets are poorly constructed or compromised in any way. For a free in-home consultation, contact Timeless Kitchen Outlet or call around to get estimates from contractors in your area.
Cabinet Replacement
Refacing affects only the appearance of your cabinetry, while replacing allows you to fundamentally alter the layout and functionality of your kitchen. It is always possible to simply swap new cabinets into the space left by the old ones. The reasons homeowners choose to replace their homes go beyond aesthetics.
A project becomes more complex and broader as you make more improvements. Kitchen renovations often involve coordinating separate but related activities, especially since so many parts fit together so tightly. Therefore, cabinet replacement can be more expensive and labor-intensive than refacing, already a labor-intensive and costly task.
Although some homeowners may consider refacing a do-it-yourself project, replacing cabinets is best left to professionals. The final design decisions will need to be made by you, regardless of which route you take. Guidance along the way can make the process go more smoothly. As a matter of fact, an advantage of choosing Timeless Kitchen Outlet is that, from the beginning,we can guide you through what might otherwise be an overwhelming process.
In any household, the kitchen plays a crucial role. Your kitchen is where you pour that first cup of coffee in the morning, cook casual meals for the family, and prepare a feast for friends and family on holidays. When you remodel it, you’re going to live with the results for years to come. Wouldn’t it be great if your kitchen would be a room you love?
