Is Refacing Cabinetry a Solid Investment?

Being a Custom Cabinetmaker and Finish Carpenter I'm frequently asked what I think about refacing cabinetry as opposed to demolishing the old cabinets and starting from scratch.

I generally pride myself as someone who has an open mind. While I have strong opinions on a variety of topics... I like to offer options to people rather than to come off as someone who knows it all. Besides, I don't "know it all."

That being said, to say I'm not a fan of refacing cabinetry would be an understatement! I'll give you the Pro's and Con's and let you be the judge.

If you have a refacing specialist in your home you are likely to hear something like...

Refacing cabinetry is an inexpensive way to update your kitchen's look with a minimum of inconvenience and without all the dirt, debris and noise associated with demolishing your kitchen and starting over.

Now, to be fair, there is some truth in the statement above. Refacing does typically cost less than having a custom cabinetmaker, like myself, completely redo your cabinetry. (Though it's not inexpensive!!!) The project will also be completed in less time than a custom cabinet job.

The problem is, they make no mention of quality or durability or improved functionality and forget getting a decent warranty!

In order to understand the problems with refacing cabinetry you need to know a little about the process. They typically remove and throw away the: doors, drawer fronts, door hinges, drawer slides and cabinet door knobs (if any).

Then, the cabinets are "roughed-up" by sanding and sometimes a chemical stripper is used as well. The refacing installer then adheres a wood veneer to the exposed surfaces. Typically, the veneer has a PSA backing (Pressure Sensitive Adhesive) and it is firmly pressed to the old wood surface to make it's bond.

The veneer is trimmed and detailed. A new wood stain and protective finish is applied. The final touches include installing the new doors, drawer fronts, miscellaneous hardware and possibly the attached moldings.

The Con's come down to Quality and Freedom! The PSA wood veneer is very thin and very frequently starts to bubble or lift off the old wood surface within a year to 18 months.

If you happen to catch something on an edge of the veneer you may very well peel it back or tear it altogether. If someone, say a child, happens to scratch the veneer surface it will most likely expose the old wood surface as the veneer is very thin.

As far as freedom goes, you didn't get to change the cabinet's interior. If you had fixed shelves before, you probably didn't get to upgrade to adjustable shelves as this is too much work in retrofitting.

If the old kitchen layout wasn't to your liking, your newly "updated" kitchen isn't going to work any different.

The list goes on and on...

By the way, if you're still not convinced, ask around and find someone who refaced their kitchen two years ago or more and find out if they'd do it again. Just make sure they don't work for the refacing company!

Kevin Koop is a Custom Cabinetmaker and Finish Carpenter living and working in sunny Southern California. He offers a Free Mini-Course on Building Cabinets at http://www.thecabinetguyonline.com and has a blog on Cabinetry at http://thecabinetguyonline.blogspot.com.Catharine Blog74674
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