Kitchen Renovations 101: Should I Refinish, Reface, or Purchase New Cabinets?
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December 6, 2024

Kitchen renovations in Edmonton include many large and small decisions, from deciding whether to expand into another room to selecting the right lighting. Cabinets are one of the biggest design choices that impact your kitchen’s look and feel. Cabinets are the focal point of every kitchen, and if yours is in need of an upgrade, you may be unsure whether to simply refinish them, reface , or purchase an entirely new set.

Our team at Peak Improvements offers all three of these services. Whether you want to enhance the look of your vintage set or purchase something more modern, our contractors and design team are here to help you at every step. Below, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of refinishing, refacing, and purchasing new cabinets to discover what works best for your kitchen renovation.

What is the Difference Between Refinishing and Refacing Cabinets?

“Refinish” and “reface” are often used interchangeably for cabinets but are two separate projects. Refinishing your cabinets involves sanding the exterior and re-staining or repainting the surface. This is ideal for homeowners who like the shape and style of their cabinets but want to refresh the colour and/or texture.

Refacing involves removing and replacing your cabinet doors, drawer fronts and panels with new materials. This allows homeowners to keep the cabinet boxes while still giving it a facelift. While refinishing is a simple upgrade for your cabinets, refacing is like doing a renovation. Whether you decide to refinish, reface, or replace your cabinets largely comes down to the state of your current cabinets, their functionality, and your budget

When to Refinish Cabinets

Refinishing your cabinets is one of the more cost-effective things you can do when renovating your kitchen. Re-staining or repainting your cabinets will allow you to get the look of a newer set without incurring the cost. It’s also a simple method of upgrading that doesn’t affect the cabinet integrity and can be done over and over again. If you’re aiming for a more inexpensive kitchen renovation, refinishing good-quality cabinets is a great alternative to purchasing new ones.

When to Reface Cabinets

Refacing your cabinets is a more intricate and costly project than refinishing, but it is a good alternative for several reasons. If you live in an older home, your cabinet doors may also be old and starting to wear out. New cabinet doors generally last up to fifty years with the proper care, meaning they’ll last much longer than refinished doors.

Also, if the finish on your current cabinets is starting to deteriorate, they don’t have a good substrate to refinish. If you decide to repaint or stain them, there’s a good chance that the new finish will also begin to wear, potentially wasting the money and time spent on the refresh.

When It’s Time for Something New

While refinishing and refacing your cabinets are both solid choices for your kitchen renovation, sometimes you want (or need) something new. If your cabinets are starting to crumble, if you need more storage space, or you’d like to change the layout, purchasing new cabinets is the way to go.

While this is the most expensive choice of the three, high-quality cabinets are a worthwhile investment that will last for years to come with the right installation services. At Peak Improvements, our design team can locate the perfect cabinet set for your budget and kitchen layout. Whether you want commercial cabinets or a custom-built unit, you can count on our contractors for expert installation.

Upgrade Your Kitchen with Renovations from Peak Improvements

Are you ready to upgrade your kitchen? Our team at Peak Improvements is your go-to choice for kitchen renovations in Edmonton. Contact us today to learn more about our renovation and design services and get one step closer to your dream kitchen.

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