Should You Reface or Replace Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Regardless of your income, if you are working on home additions floor plans in Weston or any other community, you probably have at least a ballpark budget you’d like to stick to. Especially when you are remodeling a kitchen, one of the most important and expensive rooms in your house, there are many things competing for your remodeling dollars. Can you salvage your existing kitchen cabinets? Should you?
What Does It Mean to Reface Cabinets?
When you reface cabinets, essentially you retain the existing framework, or bones, of the cabinets. The old doors and drawer fronts are replaced with new ones and any visible cabinet face frames are covered with a complementary veneer. People who advocate refacing say it’s a quick way to upgrade an outdated kitchen and create a fresh and modern kitchen design. The refacing process can take anywhere from a weekend to a week, depending on how big the kitchen is.
If you are on an extremely tight budget and will be replacing your appliances, countertops and flooring, you might be tempted to consider refacing your cabinets instead of replacing them. However, make sure you weigh all of the considerations before you go that route. Refacing is cheaper in the short run, but ask yourself if it really makes sense to redo your kitchen halfway. Essentially, that is what refacing is, replacing part but not all of your cabinets. Any real estate agent will confirm when you are ready to sell your home, the quality of its kitchen is paramount to how much you will be able to recoup on your investment. Saving a bit of money upfront isn’t helpful if you jeopardize your resale value by doing an incomplete kitchen renovation job.
When You Should Rip Them Out and Start from Scratch
Regardless of budget, if your existing kitchen layout is not user-friendly, making it look better won’t solve any of your problems. Ask yourself these questions:
- Are your cabinets so deep and dark you’re not able to see what’s in them?
- Are your uppers so high you don’t use them?
- Do you have so many cabinets your kitchen feels crowded?
- Are your kitchen cabinets cracked or suffering from water damage?
- Do you want to change the location of your kitchen appliances or exterior door?
Some issues simply can’t be overcome with a shiny new façade. If this is the case, you’ll spend more time and money upfront, but those sacrifices will be worth it when you have a more user-friendly kitchen.
A Pro Will Help You Weigh Your Options and Make a Smart Decision
If you are contemplating home additions floor plans in Weston that involve a kitchen remodel, contact us. Colony Home Improvement is an experienced MA kitchen remodeling contractor. Our team of experts will make sure you understand your options, as well as help you evaluate your lifestyle and your budget, as you’re making important decisions about your remodeling project. The appearance and functionality of any home’s kitchen has a major impact on resale value down the line. We’ll help you make smart decisions that work well now and will continue to make sense well into the future.