When should cabinets be refinished?

Author: Mack Will  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 15, 2022

1 – Your cabinet doors are no longer functioning.
If your cabinet doors or drawers are sagging, misaligned, or get stuck often, this lack of functionality is an indicator that it's time for cabinet refinishing. In addition to making your cabinets look their best, N-Hance can improve their function, too.

How often do cabinets need to be refinished?

How Long Should A New Kitchen Last? Most manufacturers say that a whole new kitchen remodel – which includes countertops, cabinets, tiles, flooring, and more – should last for at least 20-25 years before it needs replacing.

Is it worth it to refinish kitchen cabinets?

Refinishing these hardy cabinets, instead of replacing them, can both conserve wood and money. Opting to refinish, rather than replace, kitchen cabinets is more cost-effective, too; Ballard says it can save you up to $5,000. Of course, if your cabinets aren't wood, refinishing may not be an option.

How do you tell if cabinets can be refinished?

They can't be warped, cracked, or otherwise damaged. The sides should be intact and align with the bottoms and each other in a tight fit. Slides and their components should also be undamaged and in good shape.

Is it cheaper to refinish or replace cabinets?

REFINISHING IS MUCH CHEAPER THAN REPLACING OR RESURFACING

But, you'd be surprised how little you'll save when you choose to reface your cabinets instead. You might only save around 30%-50% of the cost of complete replacement by choosing to reface them.

Kitchen Cabinets – Refinish, Reface or Replace

What is cabinet refacing?

Cabinet refacing is the process of replacing cabinet skin panels to give your kitchen a dramatic new look. Your cabinets may be scratched or cracked, or you may simply desire a change — much like replacing a perfectly good smartphone with the latest model.

What is the difference between cabinet refacing and cabinet refinishing?

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.

How many years do cabinets last?

In general, high-quality cabinets can last up to 50 years. This sounds like an incredibly long period of time, but cabinets are in fact one of the longest lasting components of your entire kitchen.

How often do kitchens need replacing?

Kitchens are often one of the most heavily used rooms in the home with the average person entering the kitchen 2 to 3 times a day. Because of this, some experts recommend that you should renovate your kitchen every 10 to 15 years. There are certain circumstances where you may want to renovate sooner rather than later.

What is the life of kitchen cabinets?

You can expect kitchen cabinets to last from 30 to 60 years, with an average of 45 years. Cabinets begin to show signs of age after about 20 years, such as doors that don't fully close, drawer fronts coming loose, and surface dings—especially at heavily used areas like below the sink.

Is it better to repaint or replace kitchen cabinets?

Price out replacing your kitchen cabinets and painting will look better and better. The cost to paint a kitchen is typically 1/3 to ½ the cost of replacing. The paints applied to cabinets are also very durable and will last just as long as new cabinets in most cases.

Is it cheaper to paint or refinish kitchen cabinets?

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.

Can I replace cabinets without replacing countertops?

Yes! Refacing the cabinets — whether it's under your existing countertops or throughout your entire kitchen — can create a whole new look, just like a full cabinet replacement renovation.

Do painted kitchen cabinets last?

With proper care of professionally painted kitchen cabinets, you can expect your newly painted cabinets to last 8-10 years. However, there are a few things that can drastically shorten this timeframe, leaving you needing them repainted 3-4 years later.

How much cheaper is refacing cabinets?

Cabinet refacing costs about 30-percent to 50-percent less than the cost of replacing cabinets in a full kitchen.

How often should you remodel a bathroom?

A bathroom should be remodeled every four to five years. Four to five years is when colors go out of date, fixtures begin to have problems, and when you begin getting sick of the look of your bathroom. If you will be selling your home or your fixtures need to be replaced, then you can renovate sooner.

How long should a kitchen remodel last?

“Full kitchen renovations that include changes in plumbing and electrical service locations, along with all new appliances, products and finishes, can take anywhere between 3 to 5 months,” says Hidalgo-Nilsson, “depending on the size and complexity of the kitchen.

Are solid wood kitchen cabinets better?

When it comes to kitchen cabinets, both solid wood and MDF are equally important. While solid wood makes the cabinets strong, sturdy and long-lasting, MDF offers a smooth finish. MDF withstands changes in heat and humidity better than solid wood.

Do refaced cabinets last?

With proper care, refaced cabinets can last decades, but a few factors will affect the lifespan and overall durability of your refaced cabinets, including: The original condition of your cabinets. Who performs the refacing and the quality of their work.

How long do MDF cabinets last?

It is vital to ensure you keep your MDF cabinets dry. If exposed to a pronounced amount of liquid or moisture, they could become soggy and begin to disintegrate. At Deslaurier, our MDF comes with a 20 year warranty. But, if cabinets are properly maintained there is no reason they shouldn't last over 25 years.

Should I refinish my oak cabinets?

To remove surface checking and other signs of wear, golden oak cabinets must be refinished. The process of refinishing golden oak cabinets is the same process used for any wood cabinet.

Can you refinish cabinets that are not wood?

Yes You Can Paint Laminate! What is laminate, you ask? It can basically be any type of furniture, cabinets, or wood-like product that is made by attaching a thin layer of printed plastic (sometimes called Melamine or Thermofoil) to a substrate of plywood or particle board.

Is it hard to Restain cabinets?

Cabinet refinishing is one of the easier DIY projects, all you will need are some supplies, power tools, and adequate space to work on the cabinets. You won't even have to strip down the old finish from your cabinet doors unless you are looking to make a drastic color change.

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.

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