Refacing vs re-dooring cabinets

Manish Bhatia

2 years ago

I need some advice on how should I proceed with my kitchen project. My kitchen project includes

1. Replacing countertop from granite to quartz

2. Replacing backsplash

3. Keeping the existing frame and replacing the cabinet doors to give a new modern look

The advice I am seeking is..... Should I go with refacing or re-dooring the cabinets?

Refacing - New doors (factory finish) with matching veneer on the cabinet frames.

Re-dooring - New doors (factory finish) with matching spray paint on the cabinet frames.

Re-dooring is less expensive compared to refacing. If I go with re-dooring will I be comprising on the aesthetics where the frame and the doors looks a little off and not cohesive. In other words does refacing have a better look than re-dooring.

I am splitting my hair on this issue.

Any advice on the order in which the kitchen project should be approached?

Featured Answer

Painted Peggies (zone 6a)

2 years ago

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6186247/want-to-see-my-refaced-kitchen-before-after

Here’s my recently refaced kitchen!

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Comments (10)

Verbo
2 years ago
What are you starting with? Where do you want to end up? Whats your budget for changes?

Sometimes, full replacement is a far better choice than either. Sometimes a professional paint job of the existing is the best course. Sometimes leaving what’s there is the best.
Manish Bhatia
Original Author
2 years ago
Attached are the pics that I am starting with. Its oak cabinets.

I want to end up with a modern kitchen.

1. No structural changes

2. Shaker style doors

3. Drawers instead of doors at the base

4. 2 tone color, white on top, blue at the bottom

5. Wooden vent hood replaced by stainless steel vent hood

6. Additional cabinetry 98 X 18 inch next to the refrigerator

Linear foot top cabinet - 12 ft

Linear foot base cabinet - 21 ft

Budget 12K - 15K

I hope this gives enough information.
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actually, going through the big box stores for refacing is not cheaper than having a local cabinet maker do the doors for you. You could always paint a section of them and see if you like the look. why don't you take a look at some of the kitchens on here or on other sites, with saltillo floors so you can get ideas? Getting them stripped is a good idea. did you know you can also get them stained? either a darker tone or a new color? You might look into that as well.
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Ok, few things. cabs are maple or birch. don't even consider Minwax for your floors. bottom of the barrel as far as quality goes. if you want the floors redone, call in pro refinisher. maybe think about doing a very light natural, using Bona system. I wouldn't go darker. Cabs themselves are fine. However, I'd want to change the countertops. You can try paint first, but if you want gray subway tile, consider changing out that black granite. these are a similar color. if you went darker on the walls like this, it would make the cabs really stand out. (lighter countertop though) Do a black pendant over the island. I even like the idea of painting just your island black. (but I'd redo the countertops. c-below) tried to give you a black island. for sure you'd need lighter countertops w/this look. if you must keep the black counters, you could try these pendants. There isn't one thing white in that kitchen. doing a white subway tile for the backsplash would look odd. And w/the more modern style, I think if you want white, do something other shape. but if you really want to change something start w/the countertop. I'd do something like this. lighter countertops. Maybe insert some glass in few of the uppers. similar cabs with marble (or a quartz marble) Here's your white subway, but notice the granite. The white tile compliments the granite. Putting white tile against your black countertop would look horrible. here's a light maple with medium gray quartz. It's meh. not much diff that what you have also like this for your pendant. (have you thought about changing your hardware?) if you don't like the dark charcoal paint color idea, here are some others. another option. lighter countertops and a back painted glass backsplash. you'll notice that most of these all have the same light floors like you have. spend your money on new countertops, lighting and backsplash if you want more of a drastic change. options for countertop
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Verbo
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
New quartz counters: 7-12K

New sink and Faucet: 1-3K

New pro cabinet paint job: 7-12K

New lighting: 2-4K

New backsplash 2-3K

new barstools: 1K

———————-—

Grand total for a ”refresh”: 20-35K Add another 5-8K for new cabinet doors. Add another 10-20K for a reface. Refacing hardly ever makes sense.

National average for a mid grade full gut remodel of everything: 75K.

DIY refresh, with keeping the granite, sink, faucet, but adding lighting and a new all DIY cabinet paint job: 1-3K. Add another 5-8K for new doors. And 6-12 weeks of your sweat equity.

But that granite will not go with your desired style direction. Nor will the floors. So you may want to change your goal. It won’t work or look good unless you do that full 75K full gut, and change all the rest of the house at the same time too. Don't build in an immediate clash.

Here’s how to DIY. You may want to hire a consult from a good kitchen designer here. You need that master plan for everything, as the first thing you do.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PaintingKitchenCabinetsforProfit/

Doing nothing? 0 cost. Because what you have is well designed as a whole and doesn’t really *need* to be changed. .
User
2 years ago
If you plan to have a color finish rather than wood, then go with redoooring. I just did that with my oak. They can do the cabinet modifications you want, and sand and fill the oak grain on the frames, and it will look great. They can even do side panels for the ends of your runs, and it will look like brand new. My kitchen appears to have been smaller in scope, but I was able to have it done waaaaay less than gutting my kitchen and starting from scratch. All in for redooring, converting cabinets to drawers, new marble countertops, new backsplash in a handmade tile, new range, new sink, all new hardware 12k. Get some quotes and ask about their process. My local N-Hance did mine, and I couldn’t be happier. The finish looks pristine, and six months later, not a single chip.
Manish Bhatia thanked User
Manish Bhatia
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
@Painted Peggies (zone 6a). Your kitchen looks amazing. I see that you used veneer for the frames. In your decision did you weight in painting the frames vs going for veneer? pros and cons.

In my case I want to go with Behr color(Nocturne Blue) for the base. The challenge I am having is that most of the remodeling companies have their cabinets vendors with specific doors and colors that go with it, veneer option available (positive).

From what I have been told is that if I am bent on using Behr color (Nocturne Blue), I will have to get a local company that would build the doors and spray paint it with my color of choice. As far as the frame goes they will have to sand it and fill the grain as @User mentioned and then spray paint it. No option of laying veneer.

If I go with painting the frame I am concerned that the frame will show the grain after painting it, it wont be a smooth solid color finish like the doors. Eventually it would look like 2 jobs done on the cabinets.
Verbo
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Veneering comes unglued and detaches over time. It’s an expensive temporary solution. Replacing is far better than refacing. And is not very far apart in pricing.

New doors, if they are sized properly, will cover most of the faceframe. Seeing the grain is a moot issue. It’s still not a cheap option, and you need the right pro, who will use professional grade products. Not Behr anything. No house paint should ever be used.

Join this group. There is a road map for how to DIY. Or find the right Pro. And there are THOUSANDS of pictures of successful Before and Afters, with a lot of them doing Grain Filling, or not. So you can see EXACTLY what either looks like. https://www.facebook.com/groups/PaintingKitchenCabinetsforProfit/
User
2 years ago
If you are dead set on that one particular color, You need to find a company that buys the doors unfinished and sprays them in their shop, then they sand and spray the frames or roll on site. That way the exact same product is used on the frames and doors. Most cabinet refinishing products can be color matched to any color you choose. I am not sure where you are located but there are several in my area. They will measure your cabinet openings and order the doors to cover as much of the face frame as possible. They can order panels that look like the doors to cover the end panels too. I had heavy grained cabinets that were custom site built to the ceiling and it is very smooth and all matches
Manish Bhatia
Original Author
2 years ago
@User I am located in Dallas. I am exploring both the options.

Option 1

Working with kitchentuneup to get a quote on refacing.

Type of work kitchentuneup will perform:

Order and install prefinished doors, drawers, end panels, veneer from 1 of their vendors. Includes crown molding, shoe molding etc.

Note: Material used - 5 piece HDF will be used for doors/drawers. The vendor has the color that I want.

Option 2

Working with a local company.

Type of work the local company will perform:

Built and install new doors/drawers/end panels at their workshop. Paint it with color of my choice. Includes buying/refinishing crown molding, shoe molding etc.

Onsite sanding and painting the cabinets frames.

Note: Material used - 4 piece Poplar wood for the door/drawer frame and MDF for the center panel.

Which option is preferable?
User
2 years ago
I would ask the local company what they use to “paint” the cabinets. Make sure it is a product auitable for cabinets. What the warranty is on the finish, and ask Kitchen tune up the same thing. If you want “painted” cabinets, I am not sure why you would use a veneer. Ask for pictures of kitchens they’ve done.

Generally speaking the poplar and mdf door versus all mdf sounds preferable to me as they can be refinished again down the line