Which is cheaper refacing or painting kitchen cabinets?

Author: Alvena Dietrich  |  Last update: Friday, April 24, 2026

Either way, both choices give you a less expensive option in lieu of doing a full replacement, which is great for any homeowner on a budget. While painting tends to be the cheaper of the two, painted cabinets build up grease and dust more easily than refaced cabinets, so they'll require more maintenance.

Is it cheaper to reface cabinets or repaint them?

If budget is your main consideration, refinishing is often the cheaper option. Estimates have shown that refinishing cabinets costs about 2/3 the cost of refacing, and refacing costs about 70 to 80 percent the cost of installing replacement cabinets. But if you have the budget, you may go with replacing the cabinets.

What is the least expensive way to redo kitchen cabinets?

If your goal is to update the look of your existing cabinets, the cheapest route is to simply reface them. This process involves either stripping the stain or paint from the existing cabinets and adding new stain, varnish or paint; in some cases, you might even want to refinish the cabinets with a stick-on veneer.

What is the downside of cabinet refacing?

Cabinet refacing is considered to be less durable than a full replacement, as it does not replace the entire structure of the cabinets. Over time, cabinet frames can become worn or damaged; if that happens, you may need to replace them anyway.

How much should I expect to pay to have my kitchen cabinets painted?

You can expect to pay an average of $934 to paint kitchen cabinets. The typical range is between $425 and $1,460 depending on the size, type of paint, and removal of old paint or varnish. The average cost to paint kitchen cabinets with the help of a pro is $934 or between $425 and $1,460.

Should I Repaint, Reface, or Replace my Kitchen Cabinets?

Is it worth it to have kitchen cabinets professionally painted?

Painting your kitchen is an excellent option for homeowners who require a quick makeover but do not want to undertake a full gut renovation. If you take good care of your newly painted kitchen cabinets and have them professionally painted, you can expect them to last between 8 and 10 years.

How much does cabinet refacing cost?

The average cost to reface a cabinet is $7,234, but it can range from $4,233 and $10,234, depending on the number of cabinets, materials, and labor.

Do you have to remove countertops to reface cabinets?

The short answer is yes, and refacing your cabinets without removing your countertops is possible.

What are the cons of painting kitchen cabinets?

The Cons Of Painting Kitchen Cabinets
  • Potential for Obscuring Wood Details.
  • Maintenance and Durability Issues.
  • Complex Touch-Up Process.
  • Labor-Intensive Preparation.
  • Inconsistency in DIY Results.
  • Limited Effect on Resale Value.

Does cabinet refacing include painting?

Cabinet refacing generally involves less effort and time compared to cabinet painting. With refacing, the existing cabinet frames and boxes are left intact, and only the cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware are replaced or covered with new materials.

What is the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel?

Cabinets are also one of the foundational aspects of your kitchen; one that is obviously essential for storage and is required to make a functional space. This is the main reason they are also the most expensive part of your kitchen's remodel.

Does painting cabinets decrease home value?

Painting kitchen cabinets refreshes the look of your kitchen, ultimately increasing the appeal and potentially the value of your home.

How can I reduce the cost of my kitchen cabinets?

Along with appliances, kitchen cabinets are a serious part of your kitchen remodel budget. So, it helps to find ways to reduce the cost of kitchen cabinets by purchasing used over new cabinets, assembling your own cabinets, using stock cabinets, or refacing and refurbishing your existing cabinets.

Does Home Depot do cabinet refacing?

If you'd prefer, our kitchen cabinet refacing professionals can handle every step of your cabinet reface project. A professional cabinet reface project takes about 5 to 7 weeks with only 2 to 5 days in your home.

Why is painting cabinets so expensive?

Material Expenses. Materials such as paint, primer, brushes, and rollers are a significant portion of your kitchen cabinet painting and refinishing budget. For instance, the recommended primer for painting kitchen cabinets is an oil-based primer, like Zinnser BIN Shellac, which can add to your cost.

What is the best cabinet paint?

Our top picks
  • Best Overall Cabinet Paint. Benjamin Moore Advance. Read more.
  • Best Value Cabinet Paint. BEHR Urethane Alkyd Semi-Gloss Enamel. Read more.
  • Best Latex Cabinet Paint. HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams Infinity. Read more.

What type of cabinet shouldn't you paint?

Cabinets made of stainless steel, vinyl, and laminate aren't easy to paint over. Paints are known not to bond with these particular surfaces, which may result in the paint chipping or peeling easily.

How much does it cost to hire someone to repaint kitchen cabinets?

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.

Is it better to paint kitchen cabinets with a roller or brush?

Roller cabinet painting is a great way to get an even finish on your cabinets with fewer brushstrokes. It's also considerably quicker than using a brush.

Is cabinet refacing worth it?

Yes, cabinet refacing is worth it if you want to improve the look of your kitchen without spending too much money. Refacing can save you up to 25% – 50% of the cost of replacing cabinets and can be done in a much shorter time frame than fully replacing all cabinets.

Should countertops be the same color as the cabinets?

We have good news on this choice: It doesn't matter. If you fall in love with a cabinet color or a countertop, just match it with the other. Understand, however, that not all cabinets go with all counter surfaces. For example, a white countertop with white cabinets might be too much of a good thing.

How can I redo my kitchen cabinets without replacing them?

Let's Begin!
  1. 9 Ways to Update Kitchen Cabinets without Replacing Them. Paint Kitchen Cabinets. ...
  2. Distress the Cabinets. ...
  3. Whitewash. ...
  4. Two-Tone. ...
  5. Change the Cabinet Handles. ...
  6. Add Molding. ...
  7. Change the Kitchen Door Fronts. ...
  8. Install Under-Cabinet Lighting.

Does Lowes do cabinet refacing?

Kitchen Remodeling Made Easy and Affordable.

Lowe's cabinet refacing with National Refacing Systems uses your existing cabinets while transforming your kitchen with premium-quality cabinet doors, drawers, hardware, and accessories.

What is the average price of kitchen cabinets?

Due to the wide-ranging differences in materials and quality, new kitchen cabinets typically cost anywhere from $2,500 to $24,000. However, most new cabinet prices average between $5,500 and $13,000. This wide price range can be divided into three cabinet categories: stock, semi-custom, and custom.

Is it cheaper to paint cabinets or reface them?

Cabinet refacing involves replacing the cabinet doors and drawer fronts while keeping the existing cabinet boxes and cabinet frames. Refacing is more costly than painting but offers more customization options.

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