Cabinet Refinishing vs Refacing: Pros, Cons, and Cost Differences Explained

When your kitchen cabinets begin showing wear, peeling finish, faded stain, or outdated style, you’ll face a choice: cabinet refinishing vs. refacing. Which option gives you a refreshed look without overspending? In this guide, I’ll compare both methods, explain when each makes sense, show their pros and cons, and break down the costs so you can decide what works best for your home.

What Do “Refinishing” and “Refacing” Mean?

First, let’s define the two:

• Refinishing means you keep the existing cabinet doors, drawers, and face frames, remove their current finish (by sanding or stripping), and apply new stain, paint, or sealant.

• Refacing involves replacing the doors and drawer fronts entirely, applying new veneer or laminate over the cabinet boxes, and matching finishes so everything blends.

With refinishing, you work with what you already have. With refacing, you replace what is visible while keeping the core cabinet structures in place.

When Each Option Makes Sense

Refinishing works well when:

• The cabinet boxes and frames are in good structural shape.

• Doors and drawers don’t have major damage (deep gouges, warps).

• You like the cabinet layout and just want a cosmetic update.

• You want a lower-cost update.

Refacing is better when:

• The existing doors are old, warped, or damaged.

• You want a fresh style or material (veneer, new door style).

• You are okay with keeping the same layout but want newer finishes.

• The cabinet boxes are solid enough to accept new veneer.

If structural damage, water intrusion, or severe wear affects the cabinets, full cabinet replacement might be the best option.

Pros and Cons of Refinishing

Pros of Refinishing

• Lower cost: Typically less expensive than refacing because you are not replacing doors or drawer fronts.

• Less waste: You reuse most of the materials, making it more eco‑friendly.

• Faster execution: In many cases, refinishing takes less time, as fewer parts are removed and replaced.

• Personal touch: You can select stain or paint finishes and still preserve grain or texture.

Cons of Refinishing

• Limited changes: You cannot change door styles, shapes, or layout, only surface finish.

• Wear on older parts: If doors have deep wear, the refinishing might not hide defects.

• Durability: On cabinets with older surfaces or laminate, adhesion may fail or peeling may occur.

• Labor-intensive: Proper stripping, sanding, priming, and finishing require care and time.

Refinishing is great when your cabinets are fundamentally solid and you want a fresh aesthetic without replacement.

Pros and Cons of Refacing

Pros of Refacing

• New surfaces: You get new doors, drawer fronts, and veneers that look modern.

• Better durability: New materials often wear better than worn surfaces.

• Style change: You can alter door profiles or materials (wood veneer, laminate).

• Minimal disruption: The core cabinet structure stays, so structural work and layout remain unchanged.

Cons of Refacing

• Higher cost: You're paying for new parts and labor to install them.

• Box limitations: If cabinet boxes are weak or warped, the veneer may not adhere well.

• Warranty or match issues: Matching existing finishes or materials can be challenging.

• Less flexibility: Refacing doesn’t allow drastic layout changes or adding new cabinet boxes.

Refacing gives you a fresh, modern look, but you must have solid boxes to support new veneers.

Cost Differences and What to Expect

Costs vary widely depending on kitchen size, materials, labor rates, and complexity.

• Refinishing averages tend to be lower; some sources suggest refinishing costs about two‑thirds of what refacing costs.

• Refacing often ranges between $4,500 and $10,500 for a standard kitchen, depending on doors, veneer, and labor.

• For refacing, many projects end up costing 30–50% less than full cabinet replacement.

• Some sources list refinancing costs between $2,000 and $7,000 for average projects, with refacing at $5,000 to $15,000 in comparable cases.

According to the article “Cabinet Refacing vs. Refinishing: Key Differences” by Deirdre Sullivan on Angi, refinishing cabinets typically costs between $1,500 and $5,000, while refacing ranges from $4,300 to $9,980 or about $90 to $450 per linear foot, depending on materials and finishes. The research also notes that refaced cabinet doors can last up to 20–50 years, offering greater longevity at a higher cost.

Keep in mind: material quality (solid wood veneer vs laminate), number of doors, complexity (corners, drawers, custom sizes), and labor hours all influence the final price.

Durability and Longevity

How long will your work last?

• A well‑done refinishing job using quality finishes can last 8 to 12 years or more if cared for properly.

• Refaced cabinets, with new materials, can maintain appearance and function for 10 to 15 years or more, assuming cabinet boxes remain solid.

• The underlying cabinet structure is crucial: if the box warps or fails, no finish or veneer will hold up.

So, longevity often depends more on how solid the base is than on which method you choose.

Steps Involved in Each Approach

Refinishing Workflow

1. Remove doors, drawers, and hardware

2. Strip off old finish (chemical or sanding)

3. Clean and repair defects, fill holes

4. Sand surfaces smooth

5. Apply primer or stain/paint coats

6. Seal with protective finish

7. Reassemble and reinstall hardware

Refacing Workflow

1. Remove doors, drawers, and hardware

2. Prepare cabinet surfaces (clean, flatten, repair slight imperfections)

3. Apply veneer or laminate to visible cabinet surfaces

4. Install new doors and drawer fronts

5. Apply matching stain/paint on veneer or boxes if needed

6. Install new hardware

Refacing involves more replacement parts but less deep surface stripping on old wood.

Which Should You Choose?

Consider your goals and constraints:

• Budget is tight → Refinishing may be your best option

• You want new door styles or materials → Refacing gives more freedom

• Cabinet boxes are solid and layout is fine → Either method can work

• Structural damage or layout change desired → Replacement might be necessary instead of either option

If your priority is cost savings and you’re satisfied with your layout, refinishing is often a good first pick. If you want a more dramatic aesthetic change without redoing walls or plumbing, refacing might get you closer to your vision.

Give Your Cabinets New Life Wisely

Choosing between cabinet refinishing vs refacing is about matching your condition, goals, and budget. Refinishing offers an affordable refresh, especially if your cabinets are solid. Refacing gives more design flexibility and new surfaces, but with a higher cost and reliance on the cabinet base.

If you’d like help estimating which option fits your space or need professional execution from color selection to finishing, our team at Stephen Radl Painting is ready to guide you.

FAQs

What are the downsides of refacing?
Refacing can be expensive, may not solve structural issues of the cabinet box, and limits layout changes. Veneers may fail if the boxes are not flat or stable.

Is refinishing cabinets a good idea?
Yes, if your cabinet doors and boxes are in decent shape. Refinishing can renew the look at a lower cost while preserving your layout.

How long do refinished cabinets last?
With good materials and proper application, refinished cabinets can hold up for 8 to 12 years or more under normal use.

What does it mean to reface a cabinet?
Refacing means replacing the doors and drawer fronts, applying a new surface (veneer or laminate) to the visible parts of the cabinet boxes, and updating hardware to match.

Is it better to replace or refinish?
If cabinets are failing structurally, replacement is better. But if they are solid and layout is fine, refinishing or refacing can deliver fresh looks at lower costs.