Kitchen cabinets occupy the largest space in your kitchen and are some of the things your visitors will notice and remember when they walk in and out of your kitchen. So if your kitchen cabinets are already making your kitchen to look worn out and dated, it’s probably time to do something about them.
When you decide to update your kitchen cabinets, you have three main options: reface, repaint or simply replace them with new ones. Each option has its own pros and cons, and before you make a decision, you need to consider a number of factors and expert opinions.
To help you decide, we thought we should share some details on everything you need know when making a choice between replacing, Refacing and repainting. Read on.
1. Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets
Refacing Kitchen cabinet is the best option for homeowners who want their kitchen to look new but don’t have the budget to do a complete remodel. When you have darker, modern cabinets in your kitchen refacing them is the best alternative that will save you the cost and hassle of having to tear down your entire kitchen.
The general refacing process often consists of replacing the existing cabinet drawer fronts and doors with new ones. You then cover the face frames with wood stains or veneer in your color of choice. So in essence, refacing is more like changing the ‘skin’ of your kitchen cabinets. The process greatly enhances the look of your cabinets without the cost and hassle of buying new ones.
In summary, refacing your kitchen cabinets offers the following benefits:
· A Good alternative to replacing with new cabinets
· Can be done without uninstalling the entire cabinetry
· Done by professionals for precise and quality output.
· A variety of design and color options to choose from.
· Can be combined and blended into new cabinetry.
2. Replacing Your Kitchen Cabinets
While kitchen cabinet refacing is a cos-effective alternative to replacing, it doesn’t work in all situations. Refacing will only work if your current cabinets are still in good, solid shape. If your cabinets have major dents and dings, and are showing signs of falling apart, refacing will not work for you. It won’t address rusting and structural problems of your cabinets.
Replacing your kitchen cabinets is the best option here, but it also requires hiring experienced installers who will set the levels of your base cabinets precisely. This is very important for the cabinets to remain level enough and things like eggs do not roll out. The cost of having contractor-grade cabinets installed for you can be quite high and you need to have a good budget provision for it.
In summary, replace your kitchen cabinets when:
· You’re remodeling the layout of your kitchen
· When refacing is not the best alternative
· When your cabinets have structural issues –in bad shape
· When you have a good budget provision
3. Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
Repainting old cabinets with a fresh coat of paint is becoming popular with homeowners in San Diego, California. Depending on the scale of the job, some do hire painting contractors while others go the DIY route. Repainting is is also the cheapest option where you can save up to 70% the cost of entirely remodeling your kitchen and replacing your cabinets. It also takes the least amount of time compared to the two above.
When it comes to repainting kitchen cabinets, preparation is very important for the paint to properly stick to the surface. While it’s the easiest option among the three, cabinet repaint requires a significant amount of cleaning, sanding, some more sanding, and maybe caulking before your even touch that paintbrush. In addition, if your cabinets have taken a significant beating over the years and are severely stained, you will need multiple coats of the primer and paint.
And yet still, repainting your kitchen cabinets remains the cheapest, easiest and most affordable option. If you don’t have the skills to match the task, the trick here is hiring a painting contractor at a nominal and you will have amazing, transformative end results. A professional painter will carry out proper preparation, use the right primer and paint, and produce long-lasting results.
In summary, the cabinet repaint option is best when:
· Replacing and refacing is not an option
· Your cabinets are still in good physical shape
· You’re working on a tight budget
· You have certain time restraints
· You’re particular about the color of your kitchen.
We hope that the above comparison details have helped you make a decision on what is best for your kitchen cabinet. If you need any repainting or updating the finish of your kitchen cabinets, contact us and we be happy to help.