Cabinet Refinishing vs. Refacing: What’s the Difference?

Cabinet Refinishing vs. Refacing: What's the Difference?

Cabinet refinishing and refacing are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different. Refinishing is a process that involves removing the old finish from your cabinets and then repainting them to give them new life. 

Refacing involves removing all of the insides of your cabinets, including the doors, and replacing them with new ones—or just a new front panel—to give your kitchen a fresh look without replacing the entire unit. So what’s the difference between refacing and refinishing? And which one is right for you?

Refacing cabinets is a term used to describe the process of removing everything from the inside of the cabinet, including the doors.

Refacing cabinets is a term used to describe the process of removing everything from the inside of the cabinet, including the doors. This includes any existing countertop and sink basin. Refacing cabinets can be done with new materials or by using old ones that you may have lying around your house.

If you’re considering doing this project yourself, it’s important to know what tools are required for each step so that you don’t waste time hunting down supplies or missing out on an opportunity because you didn’t think about something ahead of time.

The work done to a cabinet during a reface is usually more extensive than that done during a refinish.

A refacing job is more extensive than a refinish job. A reface involves removing the inside of the cabinet and replacing it with new parts, including hardware and hinges. The exterior of your existing cabinets remains intact during this process, meaning you will not have to repaint them when you’re done with your project.

Refacing involves removing and replacing any hardware, hinges, and handles attached to your cabinets.

As we said, refacing is more extensive than refinishing. It involves removing and replacing any hardware, hinges, and handles attached to your cabinets and sanding down the entire face of each cabinet. 

Refacing can be done when you’re still in good condition or if your original wood has deteriorated beyond repair. If you choose to reface, it’s important to make sure the new materials match exactly what was there originally. Otherwise, they’ll stand out like a sore thumb.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our years in business: nothing beats an expert opinion when making decisions about home improvement projects like cabinet refinishing vs. refacing. So whether you’re looking for advice on which project will give your kitchen an instant update without breaking the bank (cabinet refinishing) or need some guidance on how much work goes into upgrading old cabinets versus buying all new ones (refinishing vs. refacing), we’ve got some tips just for you.

The point of refacing cabinets is to change the look of your cabinets without having to replace them entirely.

Refacing is the way to go if you’re looking for a less expensive option. Refacing cabinets is cheaper than installing new cabinets and allows you to change the look of your kitchen without having to replace them entirely.

Refacing can be done in stages if needed and doesn’t require any removal of existing doors or drawers; this makes it easier on your wallet and allows you more flexibility when deciding what style of kitchen design would look best with your current space. It’s important to note that while refacing will give your kitchen an updated look, it won’t change how functional they are.

Cabinet refinishing, or cabinet resurfacing, is a process that’s often used in conjunction with cabinet painting.

Cabinet refinishing, or cabinet resurfacing, is a process that’s often used in conjunction with cabinet painting. Essentially, refinishing cabinets involves sanding and staining the cabinets. While this can improve their appearance at first glance, it’s only a surface-only refurbishment–the underlying structure of your cabinets remains unchanged by the process. 

Cabinet refinishing is less expensive than refacing because it doesn’t require replacement doors and drawers; however, if you want to give your kitchen an entirely new look without spending too much money on new cabinetry altogether (and without having to throw away perfectly good pieces), then we recommend considering our other option: cabinet refacing.

A surface-only refurbishment will not change the appearance or function of your cabinets as much as a total replacement would, which means that it may require significantly less work than a full reface job would require.

A surface-only refurbishment will not change the appearance or function of your cabinets as much as a total replacement would, which means that it may require significantly less work than a full reface job would require. In fact, because you’re just refinishing the existing surfaces of your cabinets without changing their structure or design, this type of project can often be completed in just one day.

The major advantage of this approach is its cost. Because there’s no need for laborious disassembly and reassembly processes (which take time), you’ll spend less money getting your kitchen to look good again than going with an entire overhaul.

When deciding whether to have your cabinets refinished or refaced, think about how much use they get, how much wear and tear they’ve taken over time, and what kind of look you’re going for in your kitchen.

When deciding whether to have your cabinets refinished or refaced, think about how much use they get, how much wear and tear they’ve taken over time, and what kind of look you’re going for in your kitchen.

Refinishing is a surface-only refurbishment that can be done on most types of wood cabinets: solid wood, veneer, or laminate. It involves sanding down the existing finish and applying a new one (either stain or paint), but it won’t change the appearance or function of your cabinets as much as a full replacement would. 

Refinishing costs less than replacing all the doors, drawer fronts, and shelves with new ones–and can often be completed in one day. However, if you want something more dramatic than updating their look with fresh paint colors and new hardware choices, consider refacing. 

There are many differences between refacing and refinishing cabinets that can help you decide which option works best for you.

There are many differences between refacing and refinishing cabinets that can help you decide which option works best for you. Refacing involves removing the existing doors, hinges, and handles, sanding down the entire cabinet structure, then replacing all of these pieces. This process can be time-consuming, increasing costs considerably compared to simply painting or staining your existing cabinets.

Refinishing involves removing only damaged parts of your cabinet (for example: peeling veneer or chipped paint) and then applying an updated finish to the rest of it without any major structural changes.

Allen Brothers Cabinet Painting 

No matter where you start or how you finish, keep in mind that you do not have to do it alone. If you are looking for professional help with cabinet refinishing or refacing, Allen Brothers Cabinet Painting is ready and willing to help. We can visit you in Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, West Jordan, Salt Lake City, and other nearby cities and towns. Contact us for more information today. 

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