Is it cheaper to paint or refinish kitchen cabinets?

Author: Bernie Gusikowski  |  Last update: Friday, June 17, 2022

The cost to paint kitchen cabinets is lower than you might think—certainly lower than replacing or even refacing them. On average, homeowners spend $809 to repaint the doors and cabinets in their kitchens, with a typical range of $395 to $1,234.

Is it better to paint or refinish kitchen cabinets?

Cabinet painting is hands-down the cheaper way of giving new life to your old and stained cabinets. However, this method is only applicable if the hardware of the cabinets is in good shape. Here, a fresh coat of paint is added to the doors, drawers, and cabinet walls.

Is it cheaper to resurface or paint kitchen cabinets?

So yes, refacing cabinets is almost always cheaper than replacing them entirely. The only exception would be if you wanted to replace your old kitchen cabinet with VERY basic and cheap cabinets rather than refacing them with a more luxurious front-facing design.

Is it cheaper to paint cabinets or replace them?

You can expect painting contractors to charge $50 to $100 per door, $120-$170 per cabinet, and $20-$30 per drawer. Painting your kitchen cabinets yourself will be considerably less expensive. Your base cost would be anywhere from $200 to $600, depending on the brand of paint and the supplies you will have to buy.

How much should it cost to have my kitchen cabinets painted?

Average cost of painting kitchen cabinets professionally. The average cost of painting kitchen cabinets is $100 per drawer face and $175 per cabinet door. This usually averages out to a cost of $5,000 for a medium-sized kitchen. However, the cost commonly ranges from $3000 to $10,000.

Kitchen Cabinets – Refinish, Reface or Replace

Why you shouldn't paint your cabinets?

Detailed Patterns, Warped or Damaged Cabinets

If your cabinets have detailed patterns or they are warped, chipped, cracked or have other damage to them, then painting your kitchen cabinets is not the way to go – it most definitely won't solve your cabinet problem.

How do professionals paint kitchen cabinets?

How To Paint Kitchen Cabinets Like A Pro In 9 Steps
  1. Assess the condition of your kitchen cabinets. ...
  2. Remove and label the doors and drawer faces. ...
  3. Put down drop cloths. ...
  4. Clean the cabinets. ...
  5. Lightly sand your cabinets. ...
  6. Prime your kitchen cabinets. ...
  7. Inspect the primer. ...
  8. Paint your kitchen cabinets like a pro.

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

As mentioned earlier, cabinetry usually tends to be the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel. It can cost up to $15,000 even in a relatively minor remodel with a budget of about $30,000. In an upscale remodel, choosing kitchen cabinets can take up nearly 20 to 40 percent of the entire budget.

Can you paint kitchen cabinets without removing them?

You don't have to remove the cabinet doors to repaint them, so leave them on their hinges if you're not going to replace them. However, it is easier to paint the cabinet's façade with the doors off. You can paint the hinges to match the cabinets or mask them with painter's tape to keep them as they are.

Should I replace countertops before painting cabinets?

It does not matter whether you refinish your cabinets before or after the new countertops as long as you don't do it yourself. Always hire a professional painting company for such a project because it is a substantial investment, and getting the job done right can increase your home's resale value by 7%.

What is the difference between refacing and refinishing kitchen cabinets?

As mentioned above, when you are refacing your cabinets, you are putting new material on top of the existing cabinet frames and replacing doors and drawer fronts. When refinishing cabinets, all you are doing is changing the finish, or color, of the existing materials.

What is the difference between refacing and resurfacing cabinets?

Refacing a cabinet involves removing the cabinet doors entirely, purchasing new cabinet doors, and attaching them. Cabinet refinishing is a process where you sand down the existing cabinet doors and refresh them with new stain or paint and lacquer to get them looking like new again.

Is it cheaper to reface cabinets or replace?

Refacing is about 30 to 50-percent less than replacement. Expect to pay about $12,000 to $20,000 for contractor-grade cabinets. Best when the cabinet boxes are in solid shape and cost is an issue. Best when doing a whole-kitchen remodel or when cabinet boxes are in poor shape.

What is the difference between cabinet painting and cabinet refinishing?

Painting your cabinets can make them look striking and modern. Refinishing them, on the other hand, strips them down and makes them look natural. If you have wood cabinets, refinishing them will show off the wood grain and make your kitchen look more traditional.

How can I update my kitchen cabinets without replacing them?

How to Update Kitchen Cabinets Without Replacing Them
  1. Wrapping cupboard doors. Another popular method to change the look of your cabinets is to wrap them, the most common material used to do this is vinyl. ...
  2. Adding under cabinet lighting. ...
  3. Adding cabinet molding.

Do you paint both sides of kitchen cabinet doors?

Doors typically require a good amount of time, because you need to paint both sides and let them fully dry in between coats. You can begin with the back side of your cabinet doors. Apply one coat, wait 24 hours and then move on to your second coat of paint.

Do you have to sand kitchen cabinets before you paint them?

You should sand cabinets before beginning your how to paint kitchen cabinet project to give the new paint a good surface to grip. But you don't need to sand to bare wood. If your cabinets have a factory finish, sand lightly with 120-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge.

Why do you need to clean the kitchen cabinets before you start refinishing them?

Cleaning kitchen cabinets is the first step in properly painting your cabinets. Your kitchen cabinets must be clean before you start the scuff sanding because if you skip the cleaning process and sand first, you risk pushing dirt and oil into the surface, making it difficult to remove.

What kind of paint do you use on kitchen cabinets?

While there are many types of paint to choose from, the best paint for kitchen cabinets is typically semi-gloss, gloss or satin. Matte is not practical in kitchens and baths where you will need durable paint you can easily clean.

How much should I budget for new kitchen cabinets?

The average homeowner will spend $3,200 to $8,500 to replace their kitchen cabinets of average quality in a standard size kitchen. The average cost of kitchen cabinets ranges between $160 and $380 per linear foot for stock or semi-custom styles, and up to $1,000 per linear foot for custom cabinetry.

Are cabinets or countertops more expensive?

The total average cost of installing cabinets is $5,050, while installing countertops costs $3,300. The material is the greatest cost factor, averaging less than $1,200 for laminate countertops and less than $3,250 for solid surfaces.

Is it better to roll or brush paint cabinets?

For wood, brushing is fine, but you may want to hire a professional for a good finish. Using a roller to paint cabinets is a lot faster than brush painting, however, the fabric on the roller will create a 'bobbly' texture on the surface. The texture a roller puts on cabinets makes it unsuitable for gloss paint.

Is it better to brush or spray cabinets?

Brushing allows the painters to apply the color directly to the surface of the cabinets, only wasting the small amount left on their brushes at the end of the project. Spraying atomizes the paint, meaning some of the droplets inevitably float away, and any paint left in the tubing of the sprayer goes to waste.

Should I roll or spray cabinets?

Rollers are not as consistent. The paint is applied unevenly. So, if you want a factory-grade finish, choose to spray your kitchen cabinets instead of rolling them. In addition to providing a higher-quality final finish, spray painting is faster than using a roller.

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