Cabinet Refacing vs Replacement: Which Is Right for You?

When your kitchen cabinets need an update, you have two main options: refacing or full replacement. This guide will help you understand the differences and decide which approach is best for your Sarasota home.

What is Cabinet Refacing?

Cabinet refacing involves keeping your existing cabinet boxes and replacing only the visible components: doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. A matching veneer is applied to exposed cabinet frames, giving your kitchen a completely new look without the cost and disruption of full replacement.

What is Cabinet Replacement?

Cabinet replacement means removing all existing cabinets and installing entirely new ones. This allows for complete layout changes but involves more extensive work including potential modifications to plumbing, electrical, and walls.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Choose Refacing If...

• Your cabinet boxes are structurally sound
• You're happy with your current kitchen layout
• You want to minimize disruption and mess
• You're working with a tighter budget
• You need a quick turnaround
• Your cabinets are less than 20 years old

Choose Replacement If...

• Your cabinet boxes are damaged, warped, or deteriorating
• You want to change your kitchen layout significantly
• You need to modify plumbing or electrical locations
• Your cabinets are very old with outdated construction
• You have water damage affecting cabinet structure
• You're doing a complete gut renovation anyway

When Refacing Won't Work

Be aware that refacing isn't suitable in every situation:

• Cabinet boxes have water damage or structural issues
• Particleboard cabinets that are delaminating
• You want to add or remove cabinets significantly
• Current cabinets have non-standard dimensions

The Bottom Line

For most Sarasota homeowners with cabinets in decent structural condition, refacing offers the best value. You get a dramatic transformation at roughly half the cost and a fraction of the time. However, if your cabinets are failing or you need major layout changes, replacement may be the better long-term investment.

The best way to know which option is right for you? Get a professional assessment. A reputable cabinet refacing company will honestly tell you if your cabinets are good candidates for refacing or if replacement would be more appropriate.

Related Articles

Service Areas

We provide cabinet refacing services throughout Sarasota County. Visit our homepage for more information, or explore our local service areas: Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Palmer Ranch, and Bradenton.