Few surfaces in the home go through as much wear and tear as the kitchen cabinet, like food, grime, oils, and even dust. And through all the cleaning and disinfecting, many homeowners will find these cookhouse staples looking a little worse for the wear.
That’s where the decision of cabinet refacing vs painting comes in.
This home improvement project is meant to give your kitchen new life by sprucing up your cabinets. You may even want to add a splash of color to brighten things up a bit.
But how do you know which option is right for you? As professional cabinet painters, we’ll outline the pros and cons of cabinet refacing vs painting. And what factors should you be on the lookout for when weighing your options?
That’s precisely what this professional guide examines. And with it, you’ll have a better understanding of which project fits your unique needs.
Table of Contents
- What Is Cabinet Refacing?
- What Is Cabinet Painting?
- Cabinet Refacing vs. Painting—The Pros & Cons
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Cabinet Refacing?
Cabinet refacing, on the other hand, involves a bit more work.
Rather than repainting the doors, drawers, and foundation, refacing is when you replace the drawers and doors entirely. The existing structure is still there (the cabinetry framework). You’re just giving it a new “face” by replacing most of what people can see.
While new drawers and doors are the focus, this may also involve replacing the hardware like handles and even hinges.
It’s also important to note that if you’re after a new color for your cabinetry, refacing will typically include repainting the framework as well.
Cabinet refacing lets homeowners give their cabinetry an entirely new look and allows for doors and drawers with a completely different structural design.
What Is Cabinet Painting?
Cabinet painting is the less labor-intensive of the two options.
It involves giving your cabinet doors, drawers, and foundations a new coat of paint. Generally, the structure and design of the front-facing hardware will stay the same.
But repainting your cabinets can add a unique texture to surfaces too.
With that said, cabinet repainting involves more than just slapping on a new color.
So you’ll likely want to consider a professional cabinet painter instead of going DIY. The process (when done right) typically looks a little something like this:
- Washing and cleaning all doors and cabinets to remove stubborn grease.
- Removing doors and hinges.
- All countertops, appliances, and floors are completely covered, and the kitchen is sealed off from the rest of the home (to prevent dust from spreading).
- Cabinets are sanded and thoroughly dusted (dust left on the cabinets can lead to a gritty, low-quality final product.
- A primer coat is sprayed on the cabinets and doors, followed by more sanding and dusting.
- A mix of primer and finish enamel is applied with more sanding and dusting.
- A final coat is applied, plus an extra one for drawers and doors.
Cabinet Refacing vs Painting – The Pros & Cons
Now that we’ve nailed down the definitions for each let’s dive a little deeper into the details when deciding cabinet refacing vs. painting. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each and what situations each home improvement project is suited for.
Refacing Cabinets
Refacing your kitchen cabinets is the best option when you’re looking for a more dramatic change.
You’ll want to consider refacing your cabinets if:
- Your frames, internal boxes, and shelves are all in good condition (if not, you’ll need to replace your cabinetry entirely).
- You don’t like the current structural design of your doors and drawer fronts.
- Doors and drawers are in bad condition (cracked, especially chipped, etc.).
- You want to invest more to add value to your home.
- You want to make a dramatic change in your kitchen.
Pros
- Opens the door to lots of new style options.
- It is cheaper than completely replacing your existing cabinetry.
- May increase the curb appeal of your house.
- Allows for new hardware.
Cons
- More costly than repainting.
- It will typically take longer, cutting you off from the kitchen for more time.
- Messier than repainting.
Painting Cabinets
So, what about repainting your cabinets? When should you consider this project?
Think about repainting if:
- Your frames, internal boxes, and shelves are all in good condition (if not, you’ll need to replace your cabinetry entirely).
- Your doors and drawers are all in good condition or can be patched up with little effort (no cracks, only minor nicks, etc.).
- You’re happy with the design of your front-facing doors and drawers.
- You’re happy with your current hardware or plan to replace it yourself.
- You want to invest in a more economical way of increasing your home value.
Pros
- Less expensive option compared to both refacing and replacing.
- Plenty of quality colors and textures are available.
- It can give your kitchen a completely new feel with the right quality and color.
- It doesn’t take as long as refacing.
Cons
- It won’t help with the physical designs of doors and drawers.
- May or may not include new hardware (could cost extra).
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding cabinet painting vs. cabinet refacing.
Is Refacing vs Painting Cabinets Better?
That depends on what you’re after.
If you’re looking for a home improvement project that will change the physical design of your doors or drawers, refacing is the way to go. Adding a new coat of paint won’t do much for that.
But if you’re looking for a new feel, a new coat of paint alone is often enough to alter your kitchen dramatically.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re checking the structural integrity of your doors and drawers. Are they falling apart or cracking? Chipped and dented beyond repair? If so, refacing is likely the better option here.
Is It Cheaper to Repaint or Reface Kitchen Cabinets?
In most cases, it’s going to be cheaper to repaint your kitchen cabinets rather than reface them.
According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to reface kitchen cabinets is around $4,292 to $9,979, depending on the home.
On the other hand, repainting will usually cost around $1,600 to $3,900.
How Much Does It Cost to Have Cabinets Professionally Painted?
HomeAdvisor reports that most kitchen repainting projects from professionals will cost around $1,600 to $3,900.
That said, your price will depend on several different factors, including:
- The condition of your cabinets and the extent of repairs required.
- The quality of paints used.
- The experience of the painting professionals you hire.
- Whether you need new handles and hinges too.
- Your schedule—is it a rush job?
How Do I Find the Best Cabinet Painters Near St. Charles?
Many homeowners choose cabinet painting over refacing because it’s more affordable and less time-intensive. And it can have an enormous impact on the look and feel of your kitchen with less work.
But that doesn’t mean cabinet repainting is easy. And in fact, there are plenty of mistakes you can make along the way that will lead to a disastrous finish. Mistakes like:
- Rushing the process
- Neglecting to clean the surface
- Skipping the sanding
- Using cheap paints and primers
- And much, much more
Working with a professional is the best way to ensure a picture-perfect finish. And if you’re looking for cabinet painters near St. Charles, look no further than HBP Painting Contractors.
At HBP, we’ve been helping homeowners beautify their cabinets for over three decades. Our skilled and experienced paint technicians are second to none and never subcontracted (all registered employees). That means we can ensure the best results for your project from start to finish.
Plus, we only use the highest quality paints (Sherwin-Williams), equipment, and painting techniques. Technicians are trained to follow a proven 6-step quality assurance process on each job. And for you, it’s peace of mind knowing you’re getting the best results thanks to our time-tested process.
Our dedication to outstanding workmanship and service is why we’ve earned 5 out of 5 stars on Google, Facebook, and the Better Business Bureau.
So if you’re looking for cabinet painters near St. Charles to give your cabinets new life, we’d love to hear from you.
Check out our deals, then get in touch today for your free consultation and estimate.
