Cabinets are an investment. Stock cabinets can run between $80 and $250 per linear foot, while custom cabinets can cost as much as $1,200 per linear foot. But that doesn’t mean you need to choose between remortgaging your home or ho-hum cabinets. There’s another option: cabinet refacing. This trick can turn your drab existing cabinets into something incredible for a fraction of the price of new cabinets. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Cabinet Refacing and How Does It Work?
Cabinet refacing is the process of applying laminate wood to a set of existing cabinet face frames and sides to give them a dramatically new look. It’s often accompanied by replacing cabinet doors to match. It’s a relatively quick project compared to ordering cabinets, removing existing cabinets, and installing new ones, and it’s more affordable.
Cabinet refacing involves applying thin strips of wood (or other materials) called “veneer” to the face frames (the wood on the front of the cabinet box that provides support and strength to the box). The veneer is applied in strips, mimicking the vertical members of the face frame (“stiles”) as well as the horizontal members (“rails”). Veneer may also be applied to the edges of the face frames as well as the sides of the cabinet boxes wherever they’re exposed.
Once the veneer is applied, it is glued and heated to create a permanent bond. The installer then trims the edges of the material to create a perfect fit, resulting in a face frame that looks completely different. The refaced box might now resemble a different species of wood or simply a different color.
Pros and Cons of Cabinet Refacing
There are many upsides and some downsides to refacing cabinets, whether in a kitchen, bathroom, office, or other areas throughout the home.
The pros
- Cost-effective compared to new cabinets (often 30% to 50% less)
- Less disruption in the room than removing cabinets and replacing them
- Potentially more eco-friendly than replacement (depending on what the homeowner does with the old cabinets)
- A wide range of styles, colors, and materials available without massive production costs or lead times
The cons
- If your current layout doesn’t work, refacing won’t solve it.
- Damaged cabinets are not good candidates for refacing, as the cabinet must be structurally sound.
- It can still be an expensive project, even if it’s less expensive than cabinet replacement in most cases.
Essentially, cabinet refacing is ideal for homeowners who like their layout and want to update their existing cabinets without a major expense. But, if the layout doesn’t flow well or the cabinets are damaged, refacing is not the best option.
Associated Costs of Cabinet Refacing
Even a relatively basic refacing project will cost several thousand dollars. But that’s because there are several associated costs to consider.
Kitchen size is a major factor. Large kitchens will require more material, and if you’re paying a contractor, more labor hours. If you’re performing your own refacing, you’ll have the expense of the tools required, which include accurate measuring and marking tools, hand planes, sharp knives and chisels, application tools like rollers and irons, sanders, putty knives, drills, screwdrivers, and much more.
There is also the cost of the materials. Veneer might not seem like a lot of material compared to plywood or lumber, but it’s very expensive to manufacture and thus, quite expensive to purchase. Also, new cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are factors.
There’s another point to consider as well. Cabinet refacing can refresh the cabinets, but it does nothing for dated or boring countertops. In some cases, homeowners choose to make replacing their countertops part of this renovation, which will likely add several thousand dollars, depending on the materials chosen.
DIYers can expect to spend between $1,000 and $4,000 for a basic refacing project. Those interested in hiring the project out can expect to pay between $4,500 and $13,000 to have their cabinets professionally refaced.
How to Reface Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet refacing takes patience and attention to detail, but it’s not all that difficult. Keep in mind though, when it comes to doors, you have two options: refinishing your existing doors (a great option if you’re using a solid veneer like white, black, or another solid color) or ordering new doors. In many cases, you can order the doors from the same company as the veneer, ensuring a perfect match. Here’s how to reface your kitchen cabinets.
Remove doors and hardware
Start by removing the doors and any hardware. In most cases, a simple Phillips screwdriver will work, but some cabinet makers use square drive or Robertson screws, which may require a special trip to the hardware store unless you have one in your tool kit.
Remove everything that will get in the way from refacing the front, sides, bottom, and inner surfaces of the face frames.
Reface the face frames
This is the most difficult step, so we’ll break it down into even smaller steps.
Clean the cabinets
Clean the entire surface of the cabinets and face frames. Use a mild degreaser to remove any oils, dirt, and other residues from these surfaces as these impurities could prevent proper adhesion of the veneer or panels. Make sure to get into every corner.
Measure and cut the veneers to size
Use a tape measure to measure the rough size of each piece of veneer. Using a sharp utility knife or laminate trimmer, cut each piece. Be sure to leave them intentionally longer and wider than necessary (½ inch is usually sufficient) as they need to be trimmed for a perfect fit.
Tip: The goal is to mimic the existing cabinets. Do this by cutting veneers to match the existing rails and stiles.
Apply adhesive to the face frame
Use a paint brush or roller to apply a thin layer of adhesive to the cabinet surface. In most cases, it’s smart to apply adhesive to a cabinet’s entire face frame to prevent accidentally getting adhesive on the fresh veneer. Work a little ahead where two cabinets meet to prevent having to bring the brush next to the fresh veneer.
Carefully apply the veneer
Starting with a stile, carefully align the veneer on the face frame and press it into place lightly. Check the alignment and then press firmly. Use a veneer roller to push out any air bubbles and ensure the veneer sits flat on the surface. Repeat the process on the cabinet’s other stile (or stiles, if there are three) before repeating on the rails.
Once the fronts of the rails and stiles are refaced, repeat the process on the outer and inner surfaces of the face frames.
Trim the excess veneer
Let the veneer dry so it’s firmly in place (follow the manufacturer’s instructions). Use a sharp knife or laminate trimmer to remove the excess veneer overhanging the edges of the face frame.
Sand any sharp edges
Trimming typically results in rough or sharp edges. Use fine-grit sandpaper (180 to 220-grit) to soften these edges and refine the veneer as needed.
Reface the sides of the cabinet boxes
Measure the sides of the cabinets where they’re exposed and cut the veneer to match. Test fit the veneer to ensure it fits well. Once satisfied, apply adhesive to the side of the cabinet and apply the veneer. Roll the veneer into place, starting at the center and rolling outward to remove any air bubbles. Secure the veneer panel with short brads that will not penetrate through the side of the cabinet.
Replace the doors and drawer fronts
Unless you’re painting your doors and drawer fronts to match a solid veneer, it’s much easier to replace the existing doors than to sand them and try to match them with the new veneer. Install the hinges into the door first. Then, working one by one, pre-drill through the face frame and reinstall the doors.
Carefully align the drawer fronts and attach them by pre-drilling and screwing into them through the inside of the drawer.
Create a jig or guide that allows you to align cabinet and drawer pulls accurately. In the case of drawer fronts, it may be necessary to remove the drawer front again before installing the pull hardware.
Enjoy Your Refaced Cabinets
With that, your cabinets will have a brand-new look at a fraction of the cost of new cabinets. Treat them as you would any other cabinet by keeping them clean and touching them up whenever necessary. These cabinets should last 10 to 20 years with minimal maintenance.
Materials
- Adhesive (wood glue, etc.)
- Veneer
- Hinges
- Cabinet and drawer pulls
- New doors and drawer fronts
- Veneer roller
- Mild degreaser
