Is it better to replace or refinish kitchen cabinets?
Having a new kitchen installed isn’t cheap and it’s not something that people can afford to do every year or so. A kitchen is often the part of the home which visitors will see first though, and if you’re struggling on with cabinets which look tatty or dated, then it’s natural to want a bit of an update. Updating doesn’t have to mean ripping everything out and starting again, with painting being a viable option for a quick refresh. Replacing, painting and other options such as wrapping all have their advantages and disadvantages, so if you’re thinking of getting your kitchen cabinets done up, here’s everything you need to know.
Reface Don’t Replace
If you’re happy with the general layout of your kitchen and the arrangement of the cabinets, why would you go to the expense of ripping them all out? A good halfway house option is to replace the doors only, leaving the carcasses intact. This is often known as “refacing”. There are a couple of options for refacing. The simplest option is just removing all of the existing cabinet doors, and buying a new set of doors to replace them in a colour and finish of your choice. This is obviously a lot cheaper than buying a whole new cabinet. Replacing doors could involve additional work in replacing panels or painting sides of cabinets to tie the whole kitchen in together.
The second option is to refurbish your existing cupboard doors rather than just replacing. This method involves stripping back the doors to the framework, and then replacing the “facing” of the door with a new colour panel or wood veneer. At the same time, the contractor will replace handles or hinges to make it look like an entirely new door. This is skilled work, which will need to be carried out by a professional, and it should take around three days to refurbish the doors on an average kitchen. Although not the cheapest option for a kitchen makeover, refacing your kitchen cabinets in this way can cost around 50% of the cost of a new kitchen.
Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Respraying, or painting with special cupboard paint is always going to be a cheaper option than replacing or even refacing your cupboards. Kitchen trends can change quickly, and many homeowners will fall into the trap of choosing a new kitchen which is the height of fashion at the time of purchase, but which will date quickly. Painting the kitchen is the easiest way of updating and often the cheapest too, especially if you do it yourself. However, if you want a top-end, professional result for your new kitchen cabinets, then it’s worth paying a professional to do it for you. If you decide to take on the job yourself, then look for special kitchen cabinet paint which is sold in all major DIY stores. Read the instructions on the product carefully, especially the section about how cupboards should be prepared before painting. A 750 ml tin of specialist cupboard paint will cost between £15 and £25, depending on brand. Watch some videos on the internet showing how to apply the paint, and experiment with rollers or brushes to see what gives the best finish.
If you want a flawless finish on your painted cupboard doors, the other option is to have them professional resprayed, in the same way as you might have part of a car resprayed after an accident. Look online for recommendations for specialist cupboard respraying companies, many of which will come to your home to carry out the work. Expect to pay somewhere between £70 and £90 per cupboard – still a lot less than replacing a whole kitchen. You might also choose to replace handles at the same time to give your kitchen a whole new look.
Should I Just Replace my Kitchen Cabinets
Replacement might be the most straightforward option, and is the one which is guaranteed to get you a whole new look in your kitchen. It’s also the costly option, not just in terms of money, but also on your carbon footprint if you are throwing away a kitchen and replacing it. If you’ve considered the other options such as painting or refacing and decided that these aren’t right for you, then remember that the most important aspect of your purchase is avoiding making the mistakes which could put you back in the same position in just a few years. Try to look for a style of cabinets which won’t date, steering away from the ultra-fashionable colours and finishes in the glossy magazines.
Kitchen cabinets range in price depending on the style and size, but the average cost for a floor or wall cabinet is around £80. In addition, you might have to source side panels, or handles and hinges separately, which could bump up the price. Buying the cabinets is just part of the expense you may face though, especially if you are thinking about paying someone to take on the costs of installation. The average cost for fitting a new kitchen in the UK is around £1500, but prices do vary and it’s essential to get three or preferably four quotes to compare, and try to get recommendations from friends or neighbours rather than choosing a fitter at random on the internet. Good fitters often schedule work months in advance, so be prepared to wait if you want the services of someone who comes highly recommended.
The Right Choice for Painting or Replacing Kitchen Doors
There really are no rights and wrongs here, and the decision will be based on a wide range of factors. The most important point in the decision is to spend some time looking at all the options for refurbishment or replacement and weighing up the advantages and disadvantages. Look online for pictures showing people who have had similar work done before which might help sway your decision in one way or the other.
