Yawn. Your kitchen cabinets are so boring that just looking at them puts you to sleep. Not only that, but they’re in such bad shape that you find excuses not to invite people over. You would love to renovate your kitchen, but it’s sadly out of your budget. Lucky for you, there’s a way to upgrade without bleeding your bank account dry: kitchen cabinet refacing.
Cabinet refacing enables you to transform the look of your kitchen for far less than a full renovation. Learn about the perks of refacing below, then call us to book kitchen remodeling in Glendale, CA.
A Tale of Two Homeowners
Mandy is fed up with her old, ugly kitchen. Her motto is “Tear it all down and start from scratch.” She plans a full renovation, complete with a layout change, fresh cabinets, updated lighting, and new appliances.
When the project kicks off, Mandy is bursting with excitement, but weeks later, she’s running on fumes. Contractors have encountered one problem after another, project costs keep rising, and she still can’t use her kitchen.
Anna, on the other hand, knows she wants a budget-friendly kitchen renovation that won’t break the bank. She’d like to update the look of her kitchen without spending a fortune. Anna smartly chooses kitchen cabinet refacing, which transforms her kitchen for a fraction of the cost of a full renovation.
If you’re searching for an affordable way to update your kitchen, you’ll want to follow in Anna’s footsteps.
Why Cabinet Refacing Is a Smart Move for the Budget-Savvy Homeowner
Replacing your kitchen cabinets may seem appealing until you look at the cost. Expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 for cabinet replacement, possibly even more, if you hire a pro to handle the work for you.
And if you opt for a full renovation, get ready for some serious sticker shock. That could run you up to $55,000, which is far outside of most homeowners’ budgets.
Cabinet refacing, comparatively, costs about 40%-60% of the price of a full kitchen remodel. You could pay just $100-$200 per linear foot for laminate refacing, or about $455 per linear foot if you prefer real wood veneer. This is much cheaper than replacing the cabinets or springing for a full remodel. B
etter yet, if you’re planning to sell, refacing the kitchen cabinets could boost your sale price significantly. Buyers love homes with updated kitchens, but there’s no need to pay for a full renovation. Refacing your cabinets is a clever way to impress buyers on a shoestring budget.
More Great Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Benefits
We’ve talked a lot about the cost benefits of kitchen cabinet refacing, but saving money isn’t the only perk you’ll enjoy if you go this route. Other benefits include:
- You can choose from a nearly endless variety of styles, colors, and fixtures. Warm wood veneer offers a timeless, inviting look that never goes out of style. Or, if you’re after something more modern, you could opt for white or gray laminate. The possibilities truly are endless.
- If you use your kitchen daily, you’d probably hate going without it for the weeks it takes to complete a full renovation. However, professional cabinet refacing can be completed in a few days or less, so you’ll have a beautiful, updated kitchen before you know it.
- Refacing cabinets doesn’t alter the layout of your kitchen like a full remodel would, which can be appealing if you’re happy with the current layout.
- Do you care about the health of the planet? Kitchen cabinet refacing is an eco-friendly choice. It uses your existing cabinet boxes instead of requiring new wood. So, if you’re concerned about your carbon footprint, save a tree and choose cabinet refacing.
Refacing vs. Replacing Cabinets: Which Should You Choose?
Unlike cabinet refacing, which involves changing out the veneer and hardware of cabinets, replacement involves removing and installing brand-new cabinets. Which is right for you, and how does kitchen cabinet refacing compare to cabinet replacement?
As we’ve already discussed, cabinet replacement is much more expensive than refacing. If you’re trying to save money, it’s clear which option is the best choice. You could save thousands by choosing refacing over replacement.
However, there are some cases in which cabinet replacement might be the better option. For example, suppose you’re frustrated by a lack of storage space. Maybe you’ve run out of places to stash your pots and pans, or food tumbles out of the pantry whenever you open the door.
Cabinet refacing keeps the existing structure of your cabinets, so it won’t address storage issues like these. If you want to add more space or extra drawers, you’ll need to opt for a replacement.
Additionally, refacing will not fix serious structural issues with your cabinets. If they are cracked, warped, rotting, or falling out of the wall, it’s best to replace them.
What To Expect During Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
If you’ve opted for kitchen cabinet refacing, you’re probably wondering what to expect during the process. Here’s how contractors complete cabinet refacing:
- A contractor will inspect your cabinets and determine their suitability for refacing. If the structure looks good, they’ll talk to you about your refacing options. You can choose from thermofoil, a type of fiberboard that’s fused with a vinyl material, or wood veneer.
- After removing items from the cabinets, a contractor will remove the cabinet drawers, drawer fronts, doors, and hardware.
- They will clean the sides of the cabinets with a formula designed to cut through grease and then lightly sand the cabinet surfaces.
- Next, they will measure and cut ¼-inch plywood panels, which will provide additional structural support, and affix them to the cabinets.
- Now, the contractor will cut and apply the veneer. This is the longest step of the process.
- After applying the veneer, the contractor will clean the cabinet drawers and doors, then sand and stain them to match the veneer.
- Lastly, they’ll reassemble your cabinets and introduce you to your transformed kitchen.
During the refacing process, you might also want the contractor to replace your cabinet’s hardware, such as the knobs, handles, slides, and hinges. These economical cabinet upgrades are a great way to express your personality through your kitchen.
Soft-close hinges are an excellent pick. As the name suggests, they allow your cabinet doors to close slowly instead of slamming shut with a loud bang.
More Budget-Friendly Kitchen Upgrades To Consider
After refacing your cabinets, you might want to upgrade your kitchen even further. You have plenty of options for refreshing your kitchen without breaking the bank. Consider these affordable kitchen remodeling ideas:
- Replace your countertops. Compared to other upgrades, this one is fairly inexpensive. You could pay as little as $20 per linear foot for new laminate countertops.
- Repaint the kitchen. This is an easy and satisfying DIY project that can completely change your kitchen’s look.
- Mount open shelves on the walls for additional storage space. If you don’t care about fanciness, you can make simple shelves out of basic wood planks.
- Add visual interest to the kitchen with an area rug.
- Hang an eye-catching valance over your kitchen window for a polished look.
- Add a free-standing kitchen island for extra prep and storage room.
- Deck the walls with paintings or your most cherished family photos.
Call Us for More Kitchen Transformation Ideas
Is cabinet refacing worth it? Definitely! You can save big bucks by choosing kitchen cabinet refacing over replacement or a full remodel. If you’re ready to breathe new life into your kitchen, call Payless Kitchen Cabinets at (866) 482-0919 today for affordable cabinet remodeling. We can’t wait to welcome you to our family of happy clients!
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