More 5-star reviews than any competitor.
See Reviews
What do you Choose?
Your kitchen cabinets set the tone for your entire space, but when they start showing their age, you’re faced with a major decision. Should you invest in cabinet refacing or refinishing? For Salt Lake City homeowners looking to refresh their kitchens without the expense and disruption of a full remodel, understanding the difference between these two options is essential.
At Allen Brothers Painting, we’ve transformed over 1,500 kitchens throughout Utah, and we’ve helped countless homeowners navigate this exact decision. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about cabinet refacing vs. refinishing, so you can make the right choice for your home.
Before diving into which option is right for you, let’s clarify what each process actually involves.
Cabinet refinishing, also known as cabinet repainting or resurfacing, is the process of updating your existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts with a new finish. This involves thoroughly preparing the surfaces, removing the old finish, and applying a fresh coat of paint or stain.
The refinishing process typically includes:
Removing cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware
Deep cleaning and degreasing all surfaces
Sanding down existing finishes to create a smooth base
Filling imperfections, nail holes, and wood grain (if desired)
Applying primer and multiple coats of professional-grade paint or stain
Reinstalling hardware and components
At Allen Brothers Painting, we specialize in kitchen cabinet refinishing using premium 2K polyurethane, the same industrial-grade finish used in aerospace applications. This creates an exceptionally durable surface that resists scratches, stains, and discoloration far better than standard paints.
Cabinet refacing is a more extensive renovation that involves keeping your existing cabinet boxes intact while completely replacing the visible surfaces. This means installing brand new doors, drawer fronts, and applying veneer to the cabinet frames and end panels.
The refacing process includes:
Removing and discarding old cabinet doors and drawer fronts
Covering cabinet box exteriors with new veneer or laminate
Installing completely new doors and drawer fronts
Adding new hardware and potentially crown molding or other decorative elements
Updating the overall style and material of your cabinets
Refacing allows you to change not just the color of your cabinets, but also their style, material, and hardware, essentially giving you a completely different look while retaining the existing cabinet structure.
Understanding the distinctions between these two approaches will help you determine which aligns with your needs and budget.
Refinishing works with your existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, transforming them through surface preparation and new finishes. Your cabinet boxes remain untouched, and the fundamental structure and style of your cabinets stay the same, only the color and finish change.
Refacing involves replacing the most visible components of your cabinets entirely. You’re essentially getting new doors and drawer fronts while keeping the cabinet boxes. This allows for more dramatic style changes, including switching from a traditional raised panel to a modern flat panel door, or vice versa.
Budget is often a primary consideration for Salt Lake City homeowners, and there’s a significant price difference between these options.
Kitchen cabinet refinishing typically costs between $3,000 and $5,000 for an average-sized kitchen, depending on the number of cabinets, the condition of the existing finish, and the complexity of the project. At Allen Brothers Painting, our cabinet refinishing services start at $4,000, which includes our premium 2K polyurethane finish and our comprehensive Worry-Free Guarantee.
Kitchen Cabinet refacing generally ranges from $8,000 to $15,000 or more for a typical kitchen, as it involves purchasing new materials and significantly more labor. The cost increases based on the quality of doors and materials you select.
For context, a complete kitchen cabinet replacement in the Salt Lake City area typically starts around $20,000 and can easily exceed $30,000, making both refinishing and refacing cost-effective alternatives to full replacement.
Refinishing is the faster option. Here at ABP, most kitchen cabinet refinishing projects are completed within one week. While your kitchen will be partially closed off during the painting process (typically for about three days), the overall disruption to your daily routine is minimal. You won’t be without your kitchen for long, and we use careful masking and containment systems to minimize paint fumes throughout the rest of your home.
Refacing generally takes a bit longer from start to finish, as it involves ordering custom doors, removing old components, applying veneer, and installing all new pieces. The longer timeline means an extended period of kitchen disruption.
The longevity of your investment depends heavily on the quality of materials and application.
Professional cabinet refinishing with premium products can last 10-15 years or longer with proper care. At Allen Brothers Painting, we use 2K polyurethane specifically because it’s known for exceptional durability. This isn’t your typical cabinet paint, 2K polyurethane creates a chemical bond that’s remarkably resistant to chips, scratches, moisture, and everyday wear. It’s designed to withstand the rigors of daily kitchen use, which is why it’s trusted in industries where durability is non-negotiable.
Kitchen Cabinet refacing can last 15-20 years or more, as you’re working with brand new doors and materials. However, the existing cabinet boxes, which remain unchanged, must still be in good structural condition to support this longevity.
Both options are more sustainable than full cabinet replacement, but they differ in their environmental footprint.
Refinishing is the most eco-friendly choice, as it reuses 100% of your existing cabinetry. There’s virtually no waste generated, and no materials end up in landfills. You’re simply giving new life to what you already have.
Refacing generates some waste from the old doors and drawer fronts that are removed and discarded, along with packaging from new materials. However, it’s still significantly more sustainable than full replacement, which would send your entire cabinet system to the landfill.
Kitchen cabinet refinishing is ideal in several scenarios common to Salt Lake City homes:
If your cabinet boxes, doors, and drawer fronts are in good condition with solid hinges and smooth operation, refinishing is an excellent option. There’s no need to replace components that are functioning perfectly, a professional refinishing job can make them look brand new.
Refinishing maintains your existing cabinet configuration. If your kitchen layout works well for your family and you’re simply tired of the color or the finish is showing wear, refinishing delivers dramatic visual impact without changing the functionality you already love.
When you want the biggest transformation for your investment, cabinet refinishing offers exceptional value. For roughly half the cost of refacing and a fraction of the cost of replacement you can achieve a stunning kitchen refresh that looks like a complete renovation.
If you’re preparing your home for sale, expecting guests, or simply want to enjoy your updated kitchen as soon as possible, refinishing’s shorter timeline is a major advantage. Most projects are completed within a week, minimizing disruption to your household.
SLC homeowners are now increasingly prioritizing sustainability. Refinishing is the greenest option for updating your cabinets, as it eliminates waste while achieving beautiful results.
Quality wood cabinets, especially those made from solid hardwoods like maple, cherry, or oak, are built to last decades. If you have well-constructed cabinets, refinishing allows you to preserve their quality craftsmanship while completely updating their appearance. Many newer homes in Utah feature dated dark espresso or honey oak finishes on solid wood cabinets that are perfect candidates for refinishing.
While Allen Brothers Painting specializes in cabinet refinishing, we recognize that refacing may be the better choice in certain situations:
If you’re looking to switch from raised panel doors to sleek flat panel doors, or from a traditional style to modern slab fronts, refacing allows you to completely change the aesthetic of your cabinets. Refinishing maintains your existing door style.
If your cabinet doors are warped, cracked, or have significant water damage, refacing with new doors might be more practical than attempting to repair and refinish damaged components.
If you’re already undertaking a major kitchen renovation involving new countertops, flooring, and appliances, the extended timeline of refacing may fit better with your overall project schedule.
Refacing allows you to change the size and placement of cabinet pulls and handles, as new doors can be drilled wherever you prefer. Refinishing works with your existing hardware locations.
At Allen Brothers Painting, we’ve refined our cabinet refinishing process to deliver results that rival or exceed the appearance of new cabinets, all at a fraction of the cost.
While many cabinet painters use standard paints or lower-grade products, we’re going a step further by using 2K polyurethane for our kitchen cabinet projects. This industrial-grade finish provides several key advantages:
Yes, 2K polyurethane costs more and requires specialized expertise to apply correctly, which is why many contractors avoid it. But we believe your investment deserves the absolute best finish available.
With over 1,500 kitchens completed throughout Utah, we’ve perfected every step of the cabinet refinishing process:
We stand behind our work with a guarantee because we’re confident in the quality we deliver. If any issues arise with your cabinet finish, we’ll make it right, that’s our promise to every Salt Lake City homeowner we serve.
We understand that budget clarity is important when planning your kitchen update. That’s why we’ve streamlined our quoting process. Simply fill out our online bid request form with basic information about your project, and we’ll provide an accurate estimate within 24 hours
As you weigh cabinet refacing vs. refinishing for your Salt Lake City kitchen, consider these key questions:
What’s my timeline for staying in this home? If you’re planning to sell soon, refinishing offers an excellent return on investment with minimal cost. If you’re settling in for the long term, both options provide lasting value.
Our 300+ five-star reviews tell the story better than we ever could. Salt Lake City area homeowners consistently praise:
One recent client shared: “Our kitchen feels brand new, and we absolutely love it! The transformation from dark espresso to bright white completely refreshed our space.”
While cabinet refinishing is our specialty, we also offer services to help you achieve a more comprehensive kitchen transformation:
Full cabinet replacement and painting: For homeowners who need completely new cabinets, we partner with trusted cabinet builders and apply our premium finish to your new cabinets after installation, ensuring the highest quality finish available
At Allen Brothers Painting, we’re passionate about helping Utah homeowners fall in love with their kitchens again. Whether you’re in Salt Lake City, Draper, Sandy, Cottonwood Heights, or anywhere in the surrounding area, we’re ready to bring our expertise, premium materials, and exceptional customer service to your cabinet refinishing project.
Get started today:
Your dream kitchen is closer and more affordable than you think. Let’s make it a reality together.
Allen Brothers Painting is a premier cabinet refinishing company serving Salt Lake City and the surrounding Utah communities. With over 1,500 completed kitchens, 300+ five-star reviews, and a commitment to using only the highest quality 2K polyurethane finishes, we deliver exceptional results backed by our Worry-Free Guarantee. Contact us today to discover how cabinet refinishing can transform your kitchen.
"*" indicates required fields
