The best reason to reface kitchen cabinets instead of replace them is the obvious one: all the money that is saved.
The cost for total replacement of kitchen cabinetry can add up to thousands of dollars – ten thousand isn’t unusual nor uncommon.
Two other minuses when it comes to replacement include the time lost during deconstruction and installation phases – days turn into weeks and weeks into months rather easily – and the condition of the kitchen area during the entire replacement itinerary. A contractor can tie up the place for longer than anyone estimates. The combination of unsightly cabinetless spaces, floor and wall damage, wood and dust, and the general inconvenience of the situation prove to be undesirable aspects very quickly. Small children also need to be watched; kids venture into work areas out of general curiosity.
The alternative is to reface — that is, to refurbish or upgrade. Wood finish stains and partial replacement of materials can prove as aesthetically beautiful as a complete replacement for twice the money. Cabinet refacing can include any modifications to make cabinets more attractive and more practical with different accessories. Overall durability is improved and the results will last for years. Cabinets constructed from solid wood — as seen in older homes — rather than cheaper composited materials benefit the most from refacing. More money is saved because peripheral areas — counters, ceilings, other fixtures — are less affected or not at all.
The time saved due to a reface is also notable. Most technicians can complete the assignment in one week, maybe two. That’s a maximum. If going green is a concern, much less material disposal also weighs in. Less waste is produced, and metal and wood left over can be recycled. Stains and paints are used only as required, and should be charged only for quantities used. Most installers frown upon the waste of expensive colors, as the saying goes.
In all, not only does refacing kitchen cabinets save a great deal of money, it also saves time and is more eco-friendly and time-efficient. The money saved will better serve a nice family vacation or weeklong getaway.
