Replacing all of your kitchen cabinets can be an expensive endeavor. However, cabinet refacing provides a cost-effective alternative that can transform the look of your kitchen with a fraction of the investment. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the top cabinet refacing companies to consider for your kitchen remodel.
What is Cabinet Refacing?
Cabinet refacing is a process that involves replacing the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware of your existing cabinet boxes. The old surfaces are removed and new veneers, doors, and drawers are installed in their place. This provides your kitchen with a fresh, updated look for a fraction of the cost of full cabinet replacement.
Some of the key benefits of cabinet refacing include:
- Cost Savings – Refacing averages 30-50% of full cabinet replacement costs.
- Convenience – The process can usually be completed in just a few days without major renovations.
- Customization – You can choose new finishes, door styles, and hardware to fit your unique tastes.
- Sustainability – Refacing recycles the existing cabinet boxes, reducing landfill waste.
When performed by a professional, cabinet refacing can deliver dramatic results and completely transform the aesthetics of your kitchen. But not all companies offer the same quality of service. Below are our top picks for the best cabinet refacing companies.
Best Cabinet Refacing Companies
1. Cabinet Transformations
Cabinet Transformations is a national leader in cabinet refacing with over 20 years of experience. Their proprietary refacing process involves installing new doors, drawers, and veneers using an adhesive backing for a seamless finish. This eliminates the need for removing doors and drilling into existing frames.
They offer a wide selection of door styles, wood types, and finish options. Their cabinet refacing experts provide 3D design previews to ensure you get the look you want before starting the process. All installers undergo extensive training to deliver flawless and efficient results.
Cabinet Transformations provides excellent warranties, including a lifetime guarantee on door hinges and drawer glides. They also feature positive customer reviews and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. If you want a quick kitchen update from an established national provider, Cabinet Transformations is a great choice.
Pros
- Seamless proprietary installation process
- Wide range of customization options
- Lifetime warranty on hardware
- Positive customer reviews
- National provider with 20+ years of experience
Cons
- Pricing is in the higher range
- Use of adhesives may make alterations difficult
2. Kitchen Magic
With over 35 years of expertise, Kitchen Magic is another leading cabinet refacing company known for their quality of service. They use state-of-the-art equipment to remove old surfaces and install new veneers with minimal disruption to existing cabinet frames.
Kitchen Magic sets itself apart with its interactive design experience. They provide virtual 3D previews and in-home design consultations to create your ideal layout. Their installers are rigorously trained to handle the entire process with precision and care.
They also offer unique cabinet customization options, including clever storage solutions like spice drawers and cookie sheet organizers. Kitchen Magic provides a lifetime warranty on all workmanship. Their cabinet refacing services can modernize your kitchen just in time for the holidays or a new year.
Pros
- 35+ years of refacing expertise
- Interactive 3D design experience
- Highly trained installers
- Lifetime workmanship warranty
- Unique custom storage options
Cons
- Higher pricing tier
- Mixed reviews in some locations
3. Renew Kitchens
For an affordable and efficient option, Renew Kitchens is one of the top cabinet refacing companies on the national level. Their process is focused on sustainability by preserving existing cabinet boxes while giving them an entirely fresh look.
Renew Kitchens offers thermofoil cabinet doors that have a wood-look finish applied to a durable medium density fiberboard (MDF). This is more environmentally friendly than reclaiming old wood and also provides resistance to humidity, scratches, and cracks.
They have optional eco-friendly door core materials like soybean fiberboard and bamboo. Renew’s experienced installers are factory certified and can typically complete the refacing process in just 1-3 days. They back their services with a price match guarantee and limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Thermofoil doors are eco-friendly & durable
- Optional soybean fiberboard or bamboo cores
- Certified installers complete fast in 1-3 days
- Price match guarantee
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Limited to thermofoil doors
- Reviews are mixed depending on location
4. Nu-Life Kitchens
Known for their specialized cabinet painting, Nu-Life Kitchens provides refacing services for a completely refreshed design. They offer full customization of door styles, stains, paints, and finishes – even matching unique antique and vintage looks.
Nu-Life handles the entire process in-house including building new doors and drawers when needed. Their experienced technicians remove doors, skins, and hardware before precision painting, refinishing or refacing with new materials. This transforms even lower quality cabinets into a high-end look for a fraction of the price.
Nu-Life provides free in-home design consultations and cost estimates upfront. As an established home remodeling company since 1996, they have an extensive portfolio and proven track record for executing unique visions.
Pros
- Specialized cabinet painting services
- Match antique or vintage designs
- In-house door construction
- Free in-home design consultations
- Established home remodeler since 1996
Cons
- Requires existing door removal
- Limited to local area markets
5. DIY Refacing
For the most budget-friendly option, many homeowners opt to reface their cabinets as a DIY project. This allows you to customize and refresh cabinets on your own timeline. However, it does require intermediate carpentry skills and attention to detail.
The process involves removing doors, thoroughly cleaning frames, adding adhesive veneers, and reattaching new doors and hardware. Many big box stores sell peel-and-stick veneers, thermofoil doors, and replacement parts for DIY installations. YouTube tutorials provide step-by-step instructions for the refacing process.
Pros
- Most affordable option
- Full customization control
- DIY on your own timeline
- Fun weekend project
Cons
- Advanced DIY skills needed
- Time-consuming process
- Need to find component parts
- No professional guarantees
What to Look for in a Refacing Company
When researching and selecting a cabinet refacing company, keep the following factors in mind:
- Experience – Look for an established company with years of expertise specifically in the refacing process. This indicates they have honed best practices.
- Reputation – Check reviews and testimonials from past customers. Reputable companies will have consistently positive feedback.
- Quality Materials – Look for durable and water-resistant materials like thermofoil and solid wood doors. Ask about environmentally friendly options.
- Customization – The best companies will offer personalized design consultations and a wide range of finishes, door styles, and hardware options to suit your unique tastes.
- Warranty – Opt for a company that provides strong workmanship and material warranties, ideally lifetime guarantees.
- Full-Service – Look for companies that handle the entire process in-house including design, component construction, installation, and clean-up.
- Efficiency – Ask about timelines and potential kitchen downtime during the refacing process. Some companies can complete work in as little as 1-3 days.
FAQs About Cabinet Refacing
How much does cabinet refacing cost compared to new cabinets?
On average, cabinet refacing costs about 30-50% less than full cabinet replacement. The national average range is $2,500 – $5,500 for refacing compared to $8,000 – $12,000 for budget cabinet replacement.
How long does the cabinet refacing process take?
With an experienced company, the refacing process typically takes 1-3 days to complete. Some adhesives may require an overnight drying time. The convenience of quick turnaround is a major advantage over traditional remodeling.
What are the most durable and water-resistant materials for refacing?
Thermofoil and solid wood doors are very durable and water-resistant options. Thermofoil is an eco-friendly material that bonds a vinyl film over a wood or MDF core.
How can cabinet refacing customize my kitchen?
Companies offer dozens of door styles, stains, paints, finishes, hardware options and organizational accessories to fully customize your new kitchen. Consultations help match your ideal aesthetic.
Does refacing require all new doors, or can some existing doors stay?
Some companies may be able to keep existing doors that are in good condition. However, most recommend replacing all doors for a consistent, seamless look.
Can I reface cabinets myself or do I need to hire a professional?
DIY refacing is possible for some homeowners but requires carpentry skills and attention to detail. Hiring a professional ensures an efficient process, quality installation, and product warranties.
Transform Your Kitchen with a New Refaced Look
Instead of undertaking a full kitchen remodel, cabinet refacing delivers amazing transformations at a fraction of the cost and time investment. With the top companies specializing in the refacing process, you can customize a fresh new style to elevate your home before the busy holiday season. Consult the specialists mentioned above to get started designing your dream space. In just a few days, you can unveil a stunning kitchen updated to fit your unique tastes with cabinet refacing.
