Cabinet refacing and cabinet refinishing are two different ways to update kitchen cabinets without a full cabinet replacement. The main difference is that cabinet refacing changes the visible cabinet parts, such as doors, drawer fronts, hardware, veneers, and exposed surfaces, while cabinet refinishing keeps the existing doors and surfaces but updates the color or finish with paint, stain, sanding, or sealing.
Refacing is usually a better option when your cabinet boxes are still solid but the doors, drawer fronts, hinges, or visible surfaces look outdated or worn. Refinishing may be a better option when the cabinet doors are still in good condition and you only want to refresh the color, stain, or surface finish.
This guide explains the difference between cabinet refacing and refinishing, when each option makes sense, and when cabinet replacement may be the better choice.
Cabinet Refacing vs. Refinishing: Quick Comparison
| Option | What Changes | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Refacing | Replaces cabinet doors, drawer fronts, hinges, hardware, veneers, finishes, and visible cabinet surfaces while keeping the cabinet boxes in place. | Solid cabinet boxes with outdated doors, worn drawer fronts, old hardware, or a style that needs a bigger update. | Not ideal if the cabinet boxes are damaged, poorly built, warped, or if you want to change the full kitchen layout. |
| Cabinet Refinishing | Keeps the existing doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet surfaces but updates the finish through sanding, staining, painting, or sealing. | Real wood cabinets with sturdy doors and surface-level wear, faded color, or an outdated finish. | Does not change the cabinet door style, hardware layout, or damaged cabinet structure. |
| Cabinet Replacement | Removes the existing cabinet system and installs new cabinets. | Damaged cabinet boxes, poor layout, structural problems, or a full kitchen redesign. | Usually the most involved option in terms of cost, timeline, and disruption. |
What Is Cabinet Refacing?
Cabinet refacing is a cabinet update process that keeps the existing cabinet boxes in place while replacing or updating the visible parts of the cabinets. This can include new cabinet doors, drawer fronts, hinges, hardware, veneers, finishes, and exposed cabinet surfaces.
Refacing is often a good choice when the cabinet boxes are still structurally sound but the outside of the cabinets looks outdated, worn, or no longer matches your preferred kitchen style.
Instead of removing the entire cabinet system, refacing focuses on the parts you see and use most. This can create a more complete visual transformation than painting, staining, or polishing alone.
For homeowners in Tucson, Southwest Kitchen & Bath provides cabinet refacing in Tucson, AZ for kitchens where the existing cabinet boxes can remain in place.
The Basics of Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets
The first step in refacing your kitchen cabinets is choosing drawer fronts with new doors. You can select from a variety of materials, colors, and styles to match your kitchen’s decor. Once you’ve made your choices, the old doors and hardware are removed, and the surfaces of the cabinet boxes are prepared for the new veneer. This preparation might include minor repairs and cleaning to ensure that the adhesive sticks well. After the veneer is applied and the new hardware is installed, your kitchen will look entirely refreshed. This process is less disruptive and usually faster than a full cabinet replacement, making it a convenient option for many homeowners.
Refacing your kitchen cabinets can be a smart choice if the structure of your existing cabinets is solid but you want to update their style or color. It offers a fresh look while keeping costs and construction mess to a minimum.
What Is Cabinet Refinishing?
Cabinet refinishing keeps the existing cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet surfaces but updates the finish. This may involve cleaning, sanding, stripping the old finish, applying paint or stain, and sealing the surface with a protective coat.
Refinishing can be a good option when the cabinet doors are still in good condition, the cabinet style still works for the kitchen, and the homeowner mainly wants to refresh the color or surface appearance.
Refinishing is most suitable for real wood cabinets or surfaces that can properly accept paint or stain. It may not be the best option for laminate cabinets, damaged doors, warped cabinet parts, or cabinets that need a larger style change.
For more detail on stain-based updates, read our guide on how to restain kitchen cabinets.
The Basics of Refinishing Your Kitchen Cabinets
Refinishing your kitchen cabinets can dramatically improve the appearance of your kitchen without a major renovation, and understanding how to restain kitchen cabinets can help you achieve a professional-looking result even on a budget. Before starting, you need to clean your cabinets thoroughly. Afterward, remove any old paint or finish using a chemical stripper or by sanding. Once the surface is prepared, apply a primer if you’re painting, or a sealant if you’re staining. Finally, apply your chosen finish, making sure to let each layer dry completely. This method is less expensive than replacing cabinets and allows you to customize the finish to suit your taste.
What Is the Difference Between Cabinet Refacing and Refinishing?
The main difference between cabinet refacing and refinishing is how much of the cabinet is changed.
Cabinet refacing updates the visible cabinet surfaces and usually includes new doors, drawer fronts, hinges, hardware, veneers, and finishes. The existing cabinet boxes stay in place.
Cabinet refinishing keeps the existing doors and surfaces but changes the finish through sanding, painting, staining, or sealing.
In simple terms, refinishing changes the surface color or finish. Refacing changes more of what you see, including the cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Replacement changes the entire cabinet system.
Signs You Should Choose Cabinet Refacing
1. Your cabinet boxes are still solid
Cabinet refacing works best when the existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound. If the boxes are sturdy but the doors and drawer fronts look outdated, refacing may be a good option.
2. The cabinet doors or drawer fronts look worn or outdated
If the visible parts of the cabinets are the main problem, refacing can update the look without removing the entire cabinet system.
3. You want new cabinet doors, hinges, or hardware
Refacing can include new doors, drawer fronts, hinges, hardware, veneers, and finishes. This makes it a stronger option when you want more than a color change.
4. Your cabinets are not a good fit for refinishing
Some cabinet materials or surfaces do not accept paint or stain well. If refinishing will not produce the look you want, refacing may be a better option.
Signs Cabinet Refinishing May Be Enough
1. Your cabinet doors are still in good condition
Refinishing may work when the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and surfaces are still sturdy and only need a color or finish refresh.
2. You like the current cabinet style
If you already like the door style and layout, refinishing can help update the surface without changing the cabinet design.
3. Your cabinets are real wood
Wood is usually a better candidate for refinishing than laminate or other non-wood surfaces because it can often be sanded, stained, painted, or sealed more effectively.
4. You want a smaller visual update
Refinishing may be enough if the cabinets are not damaged and you mainly want to refresh faded color, scratches, or surface wear.
If your goal is to make older cabinets look better without replacing the entire cabinet system, you may also find our guide on how to make old wood cabinets look new helpful.
Is Refacing or Refinishing More Affordable?
Cabinet refinishing is often the lower-cost option because it keeps the existing cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and cabinet boxes in place. The main work involves surface preparation, paint or stain, and sealing.
Cabinet refacing usually costs more than refinishing because it updates more of the cabinet system, including doors, drawer fronts, hinges, hardware, veneers, and visible surfaces. However, refacing can still be more cost-conscious than complete cabinet replacement because the existing cabinet boxes remain in place.
The right choice depends on the condition of your cabinets and the kind of update you want. If the doors and surfaces still look good but the color feels outdated, refinishing may be enough. If the doors, drawer fronts, hinges, or visible surfaces need a bigger change, refacing may be the better option.
When Should You Replace Cabinets Instead?
Cabinet replacement may be the better option if the cabinet boxes are damaged, warped, water-damaged, poorly built, or no longer support the layout you want for your kitchen.
Replacement may also make sense if you want to significantly change the kitchen layout, add more storage, move appliances, or redesign the entire cabinet system.
If the cabinet boxes are still solid and the layout works, refacing or refinishing may be enough. If the structure or layout no longer works, replacement may be the better long-term solution.
Pros of Replacing Cabinets
-
Completely updates the look and function of your kitchen.
-
Allows for redesigning the layout to improve workflow.
Cons of Replacing
-
Generally, the most expensive option. Costs can vary widely based on materials, design, and whether you’re changing the layout.
-
Takes the most amount of time. While this time does vary depending on how much you are changing, this method involves demoing the old cabinets which adds a significant amount of time when you factor in the removal of everything.
Overall, there are several methods to have the look of new cabinet doors. While there is a difference between cabinet refacing vs refinishing, at the end of the day the best option depends on your own checklist.
Not Sure Whether to Reface, Refinish, or Replace Your Cabinets?
Choosing between cabinet refacing, refinishing, and replacement depends on the condition of your cabinet boxes, doors, drawer fronts, hardware, and kitchen layout.
If your cabinet boxes are still solid but the visible surfaces, doors, drawer fronts, hinges, or hardware need a bigger update, Southwest Kitchen & Bath can help you explore cabinet refacing, cabinet style options, and related kitchen remodeling solutions.
Call (520) 531-9187 to schedule a consultation.
FAQs About Cabinet Refacing vs. Refinishing
What is the difference between cabinet refacing and refinishing?
Cabinet refacing updates the visible cabinet parts, including doors, drawer fronts, hinges, hardware, veneers, and exposed surfaces, while keeping the cabinet boxes in place. Cabinet refinishing keeps the existing doors and surfaces but changes the finish through sanding, painting, staining, or sealing.
Is it cheaper to reface or refinish cabinets?
Cabinet refinishing is often the lower-cost option because it keeps the existing doors and surfaces. Cabinet refacing usually costs more because it updates doors, drawer fronts, hardware, veneers, and visible surfaces, but it can create a larger visual change.
When is cabinet refacing better than refinishing?
Cabinet refacing may be better when the cabinet boxes are solid but the doors, drawer fronts, hinges, hardware, or visible surfaces look outdated, worn, or damaged.
When is cabinet refinishing enough?
Cabinet refinishing may be enough when the cabinet doors and surfaces are still in good condition and you only want to refresh the color, paint, stain, or surface finish.
Should I replace cabinets instead of refacing or refinishing?
Cabinet replacement may be better if the cabinet boxes are damaged, warped, water-damaged, poorly built, or if you want to change the kitchen layout.