Cabinet Refacing vs New Cabinets: Why Many Homeowners Choose RTA Instead
When homeowners begin planning a kitchen remodel, cabinet refacing is often presented as a way to refresh a kitchen without replacing the cabinets entirely. At first glance, refacing sounds like a budget-friendly solution—install new cabinet doors, update the exterior surfaces, and keep the existing cabinet boxes.
However, many homeowners are surprised to discover that cabinet refacing can cost nearly the same as installing brand new cabinets, especially when labor is factored into the process.
For this reason, many homeowners ultimately choose modern Ready-To-Assemble (RTA) cabinets, which provide a completely new cabinet system rather than simply updating the surface of existing cabinets.
What Is Cabinet Refacing?
Cabinet refacing updates the visible exterior of existing cabinets while leaving the original cabinet boxes in place.
A typical cabinet refacing project includes:
• replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts
• applying veneer or laminate to cabinet frames
• installing new hinges and hardware
• updating cabinet finishes
While the kitchen may look refreshed from the outside, the original cabinet boxes remain exactly the same.
This means the cabinet interiors, drawer systems, and overall cabinet structure are unchanged.
The Hidden Labor Behind Cabinet Refacing
Many homeowners assume cabinet refacing is dramatically cheaper than replacing cabinets. In reality, refacing can involve significant labor and detailed craftsmanship.
The process typically requires installers to:
• remove cabinet doors and drawer fronts
• prepare cabinet surfaces for veneer
• carefully cut and apply veneer to cabinet frames
• trim veneer precisely around openings
• install and align new cabinet doors
• adjust hinges and drawer fronts
Because technicians must work around the existing cabinets, the process can be time-consuming and labor intensive.
You Still Have the Same Old Cabinets
One of the biggest limitations of cabinet refacing is that the original cabinet boxes remain unchanged.
If your cabinets originally have:
• particle board cabinet boxes
• stapled cabinet construction
• worn cabinet interiors
• outdated drawer systems
• inefficient storage layouts
refacing does not correct those issues.
The cabinets may look newer on the outside, but the structure underneath remains the same.
Why Many Homeowners Choose New RTA Cabinets Instead
Modern Ready-To-Assemble cabinets have dramatically changed the economics of kitchen remodeling.
Instead of investing significant labor into updating old cabinets, homeowners can often install completely new cabinetry for a similar overall investment.
With new RTA cabinets, homeowners receive:
• brand new cabinet boxes
• modern drawer systems
• soft-close hinges and hardware
• updated cabinet construction
• completely new cabinet interiors
Rather than working around old cabinets, the entire cabinet system is replaced.
A Simple Way to Understand the Difference
Cabinet refacing is similar to cosmetic surgery for cabinets.
The outside appearance improves, but the original structure remains the same.
Installing new cabinets replaces the entire cabinet system from the inside out—providing new materials, stronger construction, and improved kitchen storage.
Modern Cabinet Styles Homeowners Choose
Today’s cabinetry options give homeowners far more flexibility than refacing ever could. Instead of being limited by the existing cabinet layout, installing new cabinets allows a complete upgrade.
Popular cabinet styles include:
• Catalina Shaker cabinets
• Maui Shaker cabinets
• Slim Shaker cabinets
• Simple Shaker cabinets
• Escada shaker cabinets
These cabinet styles combine modern design with durable construction, helping homeowners create kitchens that are both beautiful and functional.
When Cabinet Refacing May Still Make Sense
Cabinet refacing can still be a reasonable option in certain situations.
For example, refacing may work when:
• cabinet boxes are already high quality
• the kitchen layout will remain unchanged
• cabinets are structurally sound
However, when cabinets are older or built with lower-grade materials, replacing them entirely often provides better long-term value.
Why Replacing Cabinets Often Makes More Sense
For many kitchens, the cost difference between cabinet refacing and installing new cabinets is smaller than most homeowners expect.
When the investment is similar, installing new cabinets offers major advantages:
• completely new cabinet interiors
• improved cabinet construction
• modern drawer technology
• better kitchen storage and organization
Instead of upgrading the surface of existing cabinets, homeowners gain a completely new cabinet system designed for modern kitchens.
Explore New Cabinet Options
If you’re comparing cabinet refacing to replacing cabinets, it’s worth exploring the full range of cabinetry options available today.
Installing new cabinets often provides better durability, improved functionality, and a completely refreshed kitchen that will last for years to come.
