Let’s take a quick look at the differences between new cabinets, refacing cabinets, and refinishing cabinets. It’s important to compare each of these to make sure you select the best option for your needs and budget!
New Cabinets
New cabinets for the average kitchen will cost about 5 to 8 thousand dollars. The demolition of your kitchen can take from 3 to 6 weeks. When you install new cabinets you need to put on a new counter top which will cost a couple thousand dollars. You will need to hire a plumber to plumb the new sink that you will have to buy for the new cabinets and countertops.
Refacing Cabinets
Refacing costs less than new cabinets but it is still about double refinishing due to the cost of wood. The boxes are covered with a paper thin veneer that is ironed to your cabinet boxes and then stained to match. Over time the glue on this veneer will start to fail and the veneer will peel off.
Refinishing Cabinets
After you pick your colors, your refinishing job will be completed in about 3 days. There are hundreds of choices of stain or paint colors. The boxes will be refinished the same way as the doors. They do not get a thin veneer like in refacing.
The cost of refinishing is much less than buying new cabinets or refacing cabinets and yet they are refinished better than the factory finish right out of the shop. A pre catalyzed lacquer can be used that will last 20 years and will stand up to every day kitchen use. Boxes and new doors can be used to match existing cabinets if you want to add cabinets, are missing cabinets, or have a broken door or drawer face that needs replacing.