Look around the kitchen. How does it look? Are you happy with its aspect? If you’re not, maybe it’s time for a makeover.
Often homeowners don’t dislike the overall look of their kitchen but rather the cabinets because they have signs of wear. The cabinets significantly impact how the kitchen looks, so if you no longer find it enjoyable to spend time in your kitchen, consider updating them. You have plenty of options to fix scratched and beat-up cabinets; you can paint them, replace their doors, or reface them. Cabinet doors replacement and refacing are the most popular options as they enhance your cabinets’ look. Cabinet refacing is a close alternative to replacement, so the differences between the two processes may blur in your mind.
This article will help you figure out what kitchen cabinet doors replacement and refacing imply and decide which one of the options is better for you.
What you should know about replacing your kitchen cabinet doors
When you don’t want to buy new kitchen furniture, replacing the existing doors can work wonders for a more affordable price. Updating your kitchen’s look should cost the earth if you switch the old doors with new ones and keep the existing carcasses. Replacement kitchen doors could be the hero in your makeover project.
Changing the doors and fasciae with new ones provides a quick room enhancement. Also, why would you throw away perfectly good kitchen furniture only because its doors need an upgrade or you want to paint them in a new color? When you’re happy with the room layout and the cabinets’ carcasses are in good order, replacement is the best solution as it requires minimal work and it’s affordable.
Can I replace only the kitchen cabinet doors?
Of course, you can! However, before you get in touch with a provider, check if your existing cabinet carcasses are in good shape. Home décor specialists state that a high-quality kitchen (even if it’s older than 10 years old) has plenty of life in it and doesn’t require a full replacement. You can fix or switch the broken parts with new ones and prolong their life for another couple of years.
Cabinet doors get the most wear and tear because you constantly open and close them. Also, they’re subjects of general use, exposure to sunlight, and cleaning products that deteriorate them in time.
Is my kitchen suitable for replacement doors?
If your cupboards are in great shape and the furniture is under 10 years old with no structural damage, replacement kitchen doors are a suitable solution.
How do you make sure you get the right replacement doors size?
Kitchen cabinets come in standard and custom sizes, so you need to determine what kind of furniture you have. You’ll pay more if you have custom-size cabinets because the provider needs to produce the doors, especially for you. Measure the existing doors starting from the back, and write down their height and width in millimeters. Cabinet doors are usually 5mm shorter and 4 mm narrower than cabinets’ carcasses. If your cabinets come in a standard size, you can easily find replacement doors to match them.
Can you replace the kitchen cabinet doors yourself?
If you usually handle home improvements yourself and have a tape measure and an electric screwdriver at hand, you can do it yourself. But if you’re afraid you may damage the cabinets or new doors in the process, the provider could always help you, so ask for their support.
A local carpenter can also offer their help as they have wide experience installing kitchen cabinets and other furniture elements.
What you should know about refacing your kitchen cabinet doors
Now let’s discuss cabinet refacing. As you already know, your kitchen cabinets are made of a box and a face. If you choose to reface the cabinets you replace their exterior parts and keep the boxes. This means that you get new cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and (if you choose) paint them in a new color. You decide how much you want to change, but in all cases, you only upgrade the outside of the items and keep the boxes the same.
How much does it cost?
Refacing kitchen cabinets is more affordable than replacing the furniture with new items. The project doesn’t require a massive budget and gives the space a total makeover, mainly if you also paint the walls. And the most significant advantage is that you totally change the kitchen furniture look without breaking the bank. Kitchen cabinets refacing is like a major renovation that costs only a fraction of the price you’d pay for an extensive remodel.
How impactful is cabinet refacing?
You can change a great deal about how your kitchen furniture looks but not everything. The cabinets are the same in shape and size. So, if you want to totally transform the room and make some functional changes, you’ll have to purchase new cabinets. Make sure you consider your budget before tearing the cabinets from the walls because kitchen makeovers are pricey projects.
How challenging is it to reface your kitchen cabinets?
Cabinet refacing is one of the projects you can handle on your own because it requires no experience or expertise, especially if you limit it to replacing the drawer fronts and doors. Removing doors and installing replacements can even be a fun project if you convince your family to give you a hand. And because you don’t have to hire a contractor to help you, you also save money. Installing new kitchen cabinets usually implies hiring a carpenter or paying the provider to come to your house.
Does cabinet refacing extend your cabinets’ life?
Refacing the cabinets may make them look better but don’t necessarily extend their life, especially if they feature structural damage. Since you upgrade only the exterior, the box underneath that supports the weight of kitchen utensils and accessories is still the same. So, when the carcasses wear out, you need to replace the entire furniture with a new one.
Should you replace kitchen cabinet doors or replace them? Depending on your needs and goals, both options are great.