The Ultimate Guide to Cabinet Refacing: A Step-by-Step Process
March 19, 2024
Cabinets are essential on a functional level and add aesthetic value to your home or business. Many consumers turn to complete renovation to change the storage configuration or how their cabinets look.
The trouble with renovation is that it is expensive. The more cabinets you have to replace, the more money you'll spend.
It's also intrusive. Having your cabinets fully removed and replaced takes weeks, leaving you without cabinets and impeding your ability to move freely while the work is being done.
The alternative is cabinet refacing.
Refacing cabinets involves keeping your current cabinet boxes but replacing the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. The result is like-new cabinets at a fraction of the cost of gut renovation.
DIY Cabinet Refacing
If you are handy with tools or have construction experience, you could buy the materials you need and reface your cabinets. For most people, however, the job is best left to professionals.
By leaving the refacing process in the hands of a trusted and qualified professional, you can be sure you're getting the job done right.
For those interested in the process, here's a step-by-step look at what goes into refacing.
The Cabinet Refacing Process
Materials Needed:
- New cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware
- Veneer or laminate
- Drill
- Sandpaper
- Wood glue, contact cement, or any strong adhesive
- Roller tool
- Utility knife
- Tape measure
Step-by-Step Cabinet Refacing Process:
A full renovation can take several weeks, but refacing cabinets can be done in only a few days. This means less disruption to your day-to-day life and less hassle and strain on your budget. In most cases, you don't even have to empty your cabinets to have the work done.
A typical refacing consists of these steps:
Remove Doors, Drawers, and Hardware: Remove the old cabinet doors, drawers, and hardware, including knobs and handles, using a drill or screwdriver. Remove everything, leaving only the cabinet boxes in place.
Clean Exposed Surfaces:: Clean all exposed surfaces thoroughly to remove any dirt, grime, greasy build-up, or anything that will prevent the veneer from adhering correctly to the surface.
Sand Surfaces: Clean and sand all exposed surfaces, removing old paint or finish. The goal is to create an ideal surface for better adhesion.
Measure and Cut Veneer: Measure the exposed surfaces, then use a utility knife or other cutting tool to cut the veneer or laminate to fit. Always leave a little extra on the sides that you can trim to fit later when the exposed surfaces are covered.
Apply Adhesive: Apply a proper adhesive, such as wood glue or contact cement, to the back of the veneer. Some veneer comes with adhesive already on it. Spread the adhesive over the back of the veneer evenly, then apply some to the exposed surfaces of your cabinets.
Attach Veneer: Next, align the veneer to the exposed surfaces of the cabinets. Use a J-roller or another roller tool and press it firmly as you apply the veneer. Be sure to remove air bubbles as you apply the veneer to create a flawlessly smooth application and a tight seal.
Trim Excessive Veneer: Trim excess veneer or laminate to ensure a precise fit to the exposed surfaces using a utility knife or other appropriate cutting tool.
Hang Cabinet Doors, Drawers, and Hardware: Once the adhesive sets, carefully trim the excess veneer with a utility knife or appropriate tool to fit the surfaces.
Clean and Inspect: When you're finished, check closely to ensure no adhesive is showing. Scrape away excess adhesive and verify the veneer is evenly applied.
When To Reface Your Cabinets
Refacing cabinets instead of replacing them is less expensive and less intrusive and gives you cabinets that look brand new, so why wouldn't everybody do it?
The truth is not all cabinets are good candidates for refacing. If you've got damage to your core cabinet boxes (chipping, cracking, moisture damage), new cabinets, drawers, and hardware aren't going to do anything but make them look better on the outside. The damage will still be there, so you will likely need new cabinets.
Another factor that could rule out refacing is the layout of the cabinets. If your cabinets aren't big enough or you don't like the storage capacity, you might replace them with new cabinets that better suit your needs.
Some cabinet refacing companies go beyond refacing and can help you customize your existing cabinets to accommodate your needs, so always ask before you decide to have your cabinets fully replaced. You might be surprised.
What To Look For in a Cabinet Reface Company
Not all Cabinet Refacing companies are equal. There are several things to consider when you're in the market for a company to give you new cabinets. Price, selection, quality, and professional service are all important.
With a company like Cabinet Reface Direct, you get all these and more. As the manufacturer and installer, we are involved in the process from start to finish.
Because we manufacture our cabinets, we can promise the best materials are used and the highest manufacturing standards are met, guaranteeing customers get selection and quality.
Because we're cutting out the middleman, we pass huge savings on to our customers, giving them the lowest prices for new cabinets.
Our full-service cabinet reface experience comes without the stress or cost of a gut renovation. You also get free in-person consultations and estimates, multiple design options, and a quick, clean installation process.
Because we believe everyone should have their dream cabinets, we offer financing with interest rates as low as 0% and $99 a month.
If you're looking for new cabinets, call Cabinet Reface Direct at
239-374-2242 or fill out our contact form. A Cabinet Reface Direct designer will help you choose the perfect cabinets for your home or business today!
