What’s the difference between refinishing and refacing cabinets?
The difference between refinishing and refacing is quite drastic, that we are always surprised that the terminology is still mixed up. Refinishing is taking the existing cabinetry and applying a new finish to the old finish. We offer three types of Refinishing/ Traditional, Solid Color, and Stain. Our Traditional Refinish is re-applying a new, clear coat, and correcting any color loss or fading to refresh and reinvigorate the old stain. Our Solid Color and Stain services allow us to tint that new coat into any color the client selects. Please look through our services page for more details and pictures.
Refacing on the other hand involves re-applying new skins of laminate onto the existing cabinets. It’s a much more cost-intensive project and could be totally unnecessary if your cabinets qualify for Refinishing. Sometimes Refacing can be redefined as “Re-Dooring” which is buying new doors to put over your existing cabinet boxes. That is a service we offer if that is the end goal of the project.
Is it cheaper to refinish or reface kitchen cabinets?
It is much cheaper to refinish than to reface your kitchen cabinets. Whether you select new doors or new laminate, you are looking at about half the cost it would be to just buy new cabinets. Resurrect Wood Refinishing offers a first class service that aims to be ⅓ the cost it would be to purchase and install new cabinetry. We do offer our Re-Door service, in which we order new doors in any material or style many times obtaining a drastic new look. While much more of an investment than a standard Refinishing service, it significantly increases the value of your home and kitchen. It is a service best recommended to the customer hoping to achieve a dream kitchen or trying to assist with selling their home.
Is it better to reface or paint cabinets?
As discussed, there is a slight difference in terminology in the word “Refacing.” The professional verbiage for Refacing is applying a new skin of laminate over your existing cabinets. This is an incredibly expensive procedure and is something we do not recommend since there is no guarantee in the durability. Think sheets of plastic being glued over wood. It will eventually peel off and is not worth the cost in our opinion.
Painting is another service we do not recommend. While it may be cheaper than Refinishing, it is a service that ultimately does not look good on kitchen cabinets. Many painted cabinets have brush strokes or thick gloss. There are cracks and corners that build and bubble up, and you are certain to expect peeling, chipping, and cracking in only a couple years. Refinishing is designed to adhere to the existing finish, which creates an end product as close to a factory finish as humanly possible. It’s sleek, clean, and durable. Give us a call or check out our website for the differences between Refinishing and Painting.
Is it worth it to reface kitchen cabinets?
The only time it is worth Refacing your kitchen cabinets is if the term is being used to describe acquiring new doors, and if that’s the case, we call it “Re-Dooring.” The cost of the project is a little more expensive than a standard Refinish, but it significantly adds value to the project and provides a completely new look to your kitchen. If you are happy with the layout of your kitchen but want a new style, Re-Dooring may be what you are looking for.
Is it better to spray or roll kitchen cabinets?
Rolled cabinets will always look rolled. Rolling is time-intensive treatment and can leave brush strokes even when applied correctly. While there is leftover dust from spraying, the product we use at Resurrect Wood Refinishing is water-based and non-odorous. There is no overspray from the dust and our masking procedure protects everything inside the work zone. If dust is the only concern in moving forward with our Refinishing services, you may want to consider renting out one of our Air Scrubbers. We offer a three-fold HEPA filter Air Scrubber at a much lower cost than our competitors and it guarantees over 3/4 less dust at the end of the project than without. Ask one of our sales associates for details.
