If you’re thinking about a kitchen cabinet upgrade, you may be confused about the many different options available. And before you put a deposit down on kitchen cabinet refacing, you need to be sure that refacing is actually what you want! So keep reading to learn the difference between refacing and refinishing—and to get some helpful tips on how to make the best choice for you.

The Difference Between Kitchen Cabinet Refinishing and Refacing Let’s start with the basics. What’s the difference between kitchen cabinet refinishing and refacing? Though this is a common question, the answer is pretty straightforward:

  • Kitchen cabinet refinishing involves stripping paint/stain off existing cabinets and then refinishing them with new paint/stain.
  • Kitchen cabinet refacing involves removing existing cabinet doors and hardware and replacing them with new ones.

Kitchen Cabinet Refacing and Refinishing Comparison

Like any home improvement, the choice between refacing and refinishing kitchen cabinets ultimately depends on you. Every homeowner is different, and no single home improvement will work for everyone.

With that in mind, however, there are a few things you can consider to help you choose between kitchen cabinet refacing and refinishing. Here are a few of the most important ones:

  1. Timeline

    The first thing to consider is your schedule. How soon do you want your cabinets to be ready? Will you be able to leave your home while the cabinet crews work? Kitchen cabinet refinishing often takes 3 to 5 days of spraying lacquer or applying varnish. The fumes from these chemicals can be quite strong, and you may be recommended or required to leave the home. With kitchen cabinet refacing, installations are usually quicker; the crew will come to measure your cabinets, have your new doors fabricated off-site, and then return for the installation.

  2. Budget

    Since it requires no new materials, kitchen cabinet refinishing is often more economical. However, compared to replacing your kitchen cabinets, both refinishing and refacing are much more affordable. To make sure you get a home improvement that you’re happy with, it might be worthwhile to spend a little extra on refacing—and focus on the savings you’re already getting by not replacing the cabinets entirely.

  3. Materials

    Depending on the material of your existing cabinetry, they may or may not be suitable for kitchen cabinet refinishing. For example, most solid-color cabinets are not made from stain-grade wood; if you try to stain them, it just won’t work. Similarly, if your cabinets are made from laminate, they really can’t be stained or painted. With materials like these, your only real choice is to replace or reface the cabinets.

  4. Style

    Kitchen cabinet refinishing is a great solution if you already like the general appearance of your cabinetry. For example, if you like the design but want a darker stain, refinishing is simple and cost-effective.

    If you don’t like the basic style, however, refinishing probably won’t change your opinion. In this case, to get a new look without tearing out your cabinets, refacing is the best option. Refacing kitchen cabinets offers hundreds of different hardware and veneer combinations.

Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Solutions

Choosing the right home improvements can feel overwhelming. If you still aren’t sure whether kitchen cabinet refacing or refinishing is best for you, get in touch with Thiel’s Home Solutions. We’d love to discuss your options and help you make a choice you’ll be happy with—so call us today or complete our quick online form now!