Cabinet Refacing vs Replacing
Written by: Admin | Date: Friday, 2nd April 2010

Kitchen designs are as varied as the people for whom they are for created. However with so many options available, it can be a challenge deciding which ones are best for you. What options you choose will depend on your budget, lifestyle and needs. To start remodeling your kitchen, you first need to decide whether to replace the existing cabinetry or to reface them. Below is an explanation of differences between the two.

For those on a strict budget or looking for a quick fresh look, refacing may be a good option. With refacing, the existing cabinet boxes remain intact while the front surfaces and exposed sides have veneer sheets glued in place. The doors and hinges as well as drawer fronts are replaced. If desired, accessories such as corbels, trim and even glass fronts are available. This is a good option for high turn rentals where expensive cabinetry would be at risk for damage or for a mother in law cottage or even for a garage cabinet spruce up. Refacing usually will not bring up the value of a home, but can help a home "show" better if doing a quick flip. The cost of refacing is usually around 1/3 than that of standard cabinet replacement. On the down side, there are not as many style or color options available and the quality tend to be lower than that of actual replacement. The veneer may begin to pull up in a few years and need to be repaired or replaced.

Full kitchen remodeling is by far the best option for those who not only want a fresh look, but would like to increase the value of their home. When this option is chosen, the existing cabinets are removed and replaced with new ones. The new cabinets can either be ready made and found your local home improvement store, or custom built. While the cost of custom cabinetry is higher, keep in mind that the value of the home increases with every dollar spent. This is true with bathroom cabinetry as well.

Custom cabinetry is an excellent choice for those who have odd angled architecture, or have specific cooking needs. Accessories such as in drawer knife blocks, spice drawers, slide out shelving, appliance garages and even wine racks are available. Self closing drawer slides are available to help in preventing little fingers from being caught. A wide variety of woods, finishes, glass fronts, trims and other features are available. The finished look is up to you and can be as simple, modern, traditional or luxurious as you like. Your contractor can assist you in finding the perfect look for you.

Custom cabinetry can also be used in other parts of the home to complete a theme or look throughout the home. Entertainment centers, bookcases and linen closets are just a few. Custom cabinetry can turn a spare room into a library or be used to create an office suite for the home executive. The possibilities are endless.

Whether you choose cabinet refacing or custom cabinetry, finding the perfect kitchen cabinet upgrade is simply a matter of knowing your budget, determining your needs and choosing a look that suits you best. Try looking through some magazines for ideas then circle the elements that you like. Maybe it's a trim, or a particular "look" that appeals to you. Then take these ideas to your contractor. He can help create the perfect kitchen for you.