Three routes lead to a different-looking kitchen, and they differ in how much they keep and how much they can change.
Refinishing renews the surface of your existing cabinets. The work typically involves cleaning, preparing the surface, applying new paint or stain in coats and sealing it with a protective topcoat. Doors, drawers and boxes stay. The color changes and wear is repaired, but nothing about the shape or layout does.
Refacing replaces the doors and drawer fronts and covers the visible faces of the boxes with veneer or a similar material. The old box structure stays in place, so the layout is unchanged, but the door style, color and hardware can all be new.
Replacing removes the old cabinets and installs new ones. It costs the most effort and disruption, and it is the only option that lets you change the layout, fix failing boxes and add features such as deeper drawers.
Keep in mind that these terms are used loosely. Some companies say refinishing when they mean repainting, and some say refacing when they mean new doors only, without veneer on the boxes. Ask exactly what is being replaced, what is being covered and what is left untouched.
Use this table to match the option to the change you want.
| Change you want | Refinish | Reface | Replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| New color | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New door style | No | Yes | Yes |
| New hardware | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Different layout or cabinet sizes | No | No | Yes |
| Fix damaged or failing boxes | No | Limited | Yes |
| Keep existing countertops in place | Usually | Usually | Often not |
Refinishing fits when the doors are the style you like, the boxes are sound and the only complaint is a tired or outdated color. It is the least disruptive route and often the quickest. Keep in mind that refinishing cannot change a door's shape, and results depend on the condition of the existing surfaces and how well they are prepared.
It is a project where preparation matters more than the paint. A coating over a dirty or glossy surface will fail early, so ask how the cabinets will be cleaned, sanded and primed.
Refacing suits sound cabinets with a door style you dislike. You can move from a dated raised panel to a clean shaker, for instance, and the matching veneer ties the boxes in. It typically takes longer than refinishing, because new doors have to be made and delivered before installation, and it generally costs more.
Check the details. Make sure new doors clear the appliances, that drawers open fully and that the veneer wraps the exposed ends and edges the way you expect.
Think about the interior too. Refacing and refinishing usually deal with the visible surfaces, so worn shelves, old drawer boxes and tired hinges inside may stay as they are unless they are included in the scope. If the insides bother you, ask whether drawer boxes, slides and hinges can be updated at the same time, and whether doing so changes the approach.
Replace when the layout is the problem or the boxes are failing. Signs include swollen or crumbling material under the sink, shelves that sag, doors that will not hang straight because the frame has moved and a floor plan that wastes space. Replacement is also the right time to upgrade storage with deep drawers, tall pantry units and better corner solutions.
It also lets you choose construction and materials from scratch. Our tier comparison and materials guide help with those decisions, and the custom kitchen cabinets page explains our approach.
Also consider what else is planned. If you intend to replace countertops or move appliances soon, new cabinets may be the better time to do everything at once, since removing countertops later can damage freshly finished surfaces.
Ask three questions. Do the boxes hold up, with no water damage, sagging or loose joints? Does the layout work for how you live? Do you like the door shape? If you answer yes to all three, refinish. If the boxes and layout are fine but the door shape is wrong, reface. If either of the first two answers is no, replace.
Send photos through the consultation form for a second opinion on your cabinets, or read about our refacing and refinishing service. Pricing depends on the room and is not posted here.
Whichever route you choose, ask for a written scope that lists what will be done to doors, drawer fronts, boxes, interiors and hardware. The scope should say what is removed, what is covered, how surfaces are prepared and what finish system is used.
Ask who does the work and how long it will take, and find out what happens if hidden damage is discovered once the work begins. Water damage under a sink, loose joints and delaminating surfaces are all things that can change the plan.
Ask to see a sample door in the finish you are choosing, and ask what the care routine is afterward. The care guide for wood cabinets covers day-to-day cleaning in general.
Finally, be wary of any promise that sounds too simple. Every method has limits, and an honest provider will say what refinishing, refacing or replacing cannot do for your particular kitchen.
Often it costs less, since the boxes stay, but the difference depends on the size of the job and the materials chosen. Get written quotes for both.
No. Refacing keeps the boxes where they are. A layout change means new or modified cabinets.
That depends on preparation, the coating system and how the cabinets are used. A quality process and gentle cleaning help it last.
They can be harder to refinish, and results depend on the surface. Ask a professional to evaluate them before you commit.
Describe the room and what you want changed, and we will reply with the next step.