DIY Kitchen Cabinet Refacing: Save Thousands with This Step-by-Step Guide

DIY Kitchen Cabinet Refacing: Save Thousands with This Step-by-Step Guide

Kitchen cabinet refacing provides a cost-effective alternative to replacing all of your cabinets. Instead of tearing out and disposing of your existing cabinet boxes, doors, and drawers, you simply apply new veneer surfaces and hardware. This transforms the look of your kitchen at a fraction of the cost of full replacement. 

Refacing typically costs 30-50% less than new custom cabinetry. It also wastes far less material, making it a more environmentally friendly option. For $3,000-5,000 you can give your kitchen a fresh new look in a matter of days. New custom cabinets often cost $15,000-30,000 for an average sized kitchen.

Replacing just the cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and hardware allows you to change the style and finish of your kitchen. New doors and drawer fronts can modernize dated oak or laminate cabinets. Going from a glossy finish to a more popular flat finish also updates the look. Add new knobs or handles in a modern brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze or matte black finish to complete the transformation.

Refacing saves the time and mess of demolishing your existing cabinets. It also avoids the cost of disposing old cabinets and installing new ones. Your kitchen can be updated in less time with refacing.

Pros of DIY Refacing

Doing a kitchen cabinet refacing project yourself rather than hiring a professional can save you thousands of dollars in labor costs. Labor typically makes up a significant chunk of the total price - around 50% or more. 

By taking on the project as a DIY job, you avoid paying for all that professional labor. Even if it takes you twice as long to complete the refacing on your own, you still come out way ahead financially. The materials themselves do not cost nearly as much as the skilled installation.

The satisfaction of completing a major home renovation yourself is also a major plus. Being able to transform the look and feel of your kitchen through your own handiwork is extremely rewarding. The improvements will be that much more meaningful knowing you did the work yourself.

While DIY refacing requires tools and some construction skills, it is very doable for a dedicated homeowner. Taking the time to learn the process and following tutorials can empower you to take this on and create a beautiful new kitchen at a fraction of the cost.

Cons of DIY Refacing

Taking on a kitchen cabinet refacing project requires some serious skills, time and patience. This is not a small weekend project, it's a major renovation that demands precision and dedication. Rushing through the job or making mistakes can lead to cabinets that don't fit right, look sloppy, and require expensive re-dos. 

Refacing cabinets is stressful, especially if you aren't highly experienced with home remodels. Taking shortcuts or skipping steps can backfire, so patience is key. The preparation work of removing doors, thoroughly cleaning, and scuffing up surfaces takes time. Rushing this leads to poor adhesion and peeling laminates down the road.

Having the necessary carpentry skills is critical, as you'll be cutting veneers and trimming edges. If you've never used a table saw or other woodworking tools, this project will be incredibly difficult. Precisely measuring and cutting veneer is challenging. Any inaccuracies will be glaringly obvious.

In summary, cabinet refacing demands advanced DIY skills, copious free time, and Zen-like patience. Attempting to rush through the job or skipping key preparation steps often leads to shoddy results and expensive re-work. Be realistic about your abilities before taking this major project on solo.

Precise Measurements

Precise measurements are a critical first step when attempting to give your home a makeover with cabinet refacing. Measurements must be exact on the door openings, face frame and ends of the cabinets. Also accurate measurements are needed for the doors and drawer fronts. If you are off by even a little bit, the material won't fit right. 

Taking the time to carefully measure everything is key before starting the project. Having measurements that are even slightly inaccurate can lead to major headaches once you start installing the new surfaces and hardware. Don't rush this part of the process. Double check all of your measurements to ensure they are precise. Being meticulous here will pay off significantly as you move through the refacing process.

Surface Preparation

Before applying new veneer or laminate to existing cabinets, proper surface preparation is crucial for good results. The first step is to completely empty the cabinets and remove all doors, drawer fronts, handles and hinges. This allows full access to all surfaces. 

Thoroughly clean inside and outside of all cabinet boxes, doors, and drawer fronts with a degreasing cleaner. Remove all grease, dirt, grime, wax and oils so the new materials will properly adhere. Use a scrub pad or steel wool to scrub surfaces well. 

After cleaning, cabinets surfaces must be roughened up for the best bond. Use medium grit sandpaper (120-150 grit) to scuff up the surfaces. Sand in the direction of the wood grain to avoid scratch marks. All surfaces where new laminate or veneer will be applied need to be properly sanded. Proper roughening gives the adhesive something to grip onto.

Roughened surfaces should then be wiped down to remove dust before applying adhesive and new materials. Proper preparation is vital for good results.

Hiring a Pro

Hiring a professional cabinet refacer is recommended if you lack the necessary skills, time or patience to tackle the project yourself. Refacing kitchen cabinets is a big job that requires precision, attention to detail, and the ability to follow detailed instructions. Rushing through the process or taking shortcuts can lead to a poor outcome.

Professionals have years of experience successfully transforming outdated kitchens through cabinet refacing. They have all the necessary skills, tools, and knowledge to do the job properly. Refacing performed by a contractor with expertise will look seamless and as good as new cabinets.

The benefit of hiring pros is that they can complete the project much faster than a DIY attempt. They know all the steps and procedures to efficiently get the job done. A professional team can reface an entire kitchen in just a few days. 

For most homeowners, taking time off work and dedicating days or weeks to a remodeling project is difficult. Professionals get the job done for you, so you can still work and go about your normal routine. This saves you time and hassle.

Though hiring a pro costs more upfront, it often saves money in the long run. Mistakes made during DIY projects can be costly to fix. A warranty provided by professional refacers gives peace of mind that any issues down the road will be repaired.

The results achieved by experienced refacing contractors are superior. They have the skills to properly prepare surfaces, join pieces seamlessly, and achieve a like-new appearance. This transforms the look of your kitchen beautifully and adds value to your home.

Materials

Solid wood veneer is considered the best quality material for refacing kitchen cabinets. It has a real wood look and feel, unlike laminates. The grain and color variations make each piece of wood veneer unique.

Veneer comes in a variety of wood species like oak, cherry, maple, hickory, walnut and more. Choosing a veneer that matches or complements your existing cabinetry is important for a cohesive look. 

The thickness of the veneer can range from 1/42 inch up to 1/8 inch. Thicker veneers are more durable and higher quality. They are less likely to show gaps or seams between pieces.

Solid wood veneer can be applied using contact cement, veneer tape or heat activated glue. The veneer needs to be backed for stability before applying. A paper or fabric backing works well for this purpose.

The easiest veneer option for DIY projects is pressure sensitive veneer. This has an adhesive backing that is activated with pressure from a roller. Simply peel off the backing paper and apply the veneer. Using a veneer roller helps get an even application without bubbles or gaps.

Choosing the right materials is key to achieving a quality, seamless look when refacing kitchen cabinets. Solid wood veneer offers durability and authenticity over laminates or plastic wraps. Taking the time to prepare surfaces and apply the veneer properly will result in a professional finish.

Tools for Kitchen Cabinet Refacing

Cabinet refacing requires some specialty tools to get professional looking results. Here are some of the most useful tools for a DIY refacing project:

Veneer Roller

A veneer roller allows you to apply even pressure when attaching new veneer sheets to cabinet surfaces. Rollers come in various widths, with larger rollers covering more surface area at once. Always start rolling from the center of the veneer sheet and work your way outward. The roller forces out any air bubbles and ensures a tight bond.

Smoothing Blade

Use a smoothing blade to firmly press down veneer sheets after application. Hold the blade vertically and slide it across the surface, working in the direction of the wood grain. Apply pressure with both hands to adhere the veneer tightly. Make multiple passes until the veneer is completely smooth and firmly attached.

Edge Band Iron

An edge band iron is designed specifically for applying new edge banding to cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Simply heat up the iron and use it to melt the edge banding glue and adhere the new banding over the old. The iron's small profile allows you to get right up to the edge of the cabinet frame. For best results, trim off any excess banding material once the edging has cooled.

The right tools allow DIYers to achieve seamless results when refacing kitchen cabinets. Investing in a few specialty tools pays off through professional looking finishes. Take the time to learn how to properly use each tool prior to tackling a large refacing project.

Tutorials

There are many step-by-step tutorials available online for DIY kitchen cabinet refacing. These provide detailed instructions with photos to guide you through the process. Some key things the tutorials will cover:

• Cabinet door removal - Most tutorials will show how to properly remove doors and hardware without damage. This step provides full access to cabinet frames and boxes. 
• Surface preparation - Sanding, cleaning, applying adhesion promoters to surfaces. This critical step helps the new veneer or laminate adhere properly.
• Precise measurements - Taking exact measurements of cabinet openings, doors, and fronts. Ensures new facing materials will fit correctly. Templates may be used.
• Applying new veneer or laminate - Attaching the new facing material using veneer rollers, smoothing blades, and other tools. Working from the center out removes bubbles.
• Edging - Applying edge banding to door and drawer fronts for a finished look. Using edge banding irons for best results.
• Rehanging doors and drawers - Reattaching all hardware and doors/drawers once facing is complete. Adjustments made for proper alignment. 
• Finishing touches - Caulking, adding trim pieces, or other final details to complete the upgraded kitchen.

The step-by-step process with photos allows DIYers to reface with confidence. Consulting tutorials helps avoid mistakes and achieve professional looking results.

Replacing kitchen cabinets can be very expensive, but refacing them is a great way to update the look of your kitchen at a fraction of the cost. Doing the project yourself rather than hiring a contractor is an excellent way to save thousands of dollars in labor costs. However, refacing cabinets is still a big endeavor that requires skills, time, and patience to do properly. 

Before deciding to DIY, consider whether you have the necessary abilities for precise measurements, thorough surface preparation, and meticulous installation. Rushing through steps or making mistakes can lead to a subpar result. If you don't feel up to the task, hiring a professional may give you better results and peace of mind despite the higher price tag.

If you do choose to refinish your cabinets yourself, be sure to use high-quality materials like solid wood veneer, as well as specialized tools like veneer rollers, smoothing blades, and trimmers. Following step-by-step tutorials can make the process more manageable. With careful planning and execution, refacing your kitchen cabinets can successfully update your home's style for a fraction of replacement cost.