Confused about cabinet refacing vs replacement? Compare costs, timelines, and results. Get expert guidance for your Oakville kitchen renovation decision.
Cabinet Refacing vs. Replacement: An Oakville Homeowner’s Guide
Cabinet Refacing vs Replacement: Which is Right for Your Kitchen?
If your trying to decide between cabinet refacing and full replacement, your not alone. This is probably the biggest question homeowners ask when they want to update their kitchen. Both options can totally transform your space, but they work different and cost way different amounts.
The good news? Once you understand what each option actually involves, the right choice usually becomes pretty clear. Learn more about our cabinet refacing services in Oakville.
- What is Cabinet Refacing?
- Think of it like giving your kitchen a complete makeover without the construction mess. Your cabinets look totally new, but we're working with the solid structure that's already there.
- What is Full Cabinet Replacement?
- This is essentially rebuilding your entire kitchen from the cabinet studs up. It gives you complete freedom to redesign everything.
- The Bottom Line:
- Timeline Comparison: How Long Will You Be Without a Kitchen?
- The Reality Check:
- Visual Results: Will People Know the Difference?
- Decision Framework: 5 Questions to Ask
- When Cabinet Refacing is the Best Choice
- When Cabinet Refacing is the Best Choice
- When Full Replacement Makes More Sense
- When Full Replacement Makes More Sense
- Environmental Impact: The Sustainability Angle
- ROI and Home Value: The Investment Perspective
- The Math:
- What About Your Specific Situation?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ready to transform your kitchen?
- The Bottom Line
- Ready to Discuss Your Kitchen?
- Related Articles
What is Cabinet Refacing?
Cabinet refacing means keeping your existing cabinet boxes (the main structure) and replacing just the visible parts – the doors, drawer fronts, and hardware. We also cover the outside of the cabinet boxes with matching veneer so everything looks brand new and coordinated.
What Gets Replaced:
- All cabinet doors
- All drawer fronts
- All hinges and handles
- Veneer on visible cabinet box surfaces
What Stays:
- Existing cabinet boxes and frames
- Interior shelving (unless you want upgrades)
- Overall kitchen layout and footprint
Think of it like giving your kitchen a complete makeover without the construction mess. Your cabinets look totally new, but we’re working with the solid structure that’s already there.
What is Full Cabinet Replacement?
Full cabinet replacement means ripping out your entire existing cabinetry and installing completely new cabinets from scratch. Everything goes – boxes, doors, drawers, shelving, the whole thing.
What Gets Replaced:
- Every cabinet box and frame
- All doors and drawer fronts
- All shelving and interior components
- All hardware and accessories
- Often includes countertops too
What Stays:
- You can modify the layout completely
- Different cabinet sizes and configurations
- New storage solutions and features
- Chance to add more cabinets or change the design
This is essentially rebuilding your entire kitchen from the cabinet studs up. It gives you complete freedom to redesign everything.
Cost Comparison: The Numbers That Matter
Here’s where the difference really hits home. The cost gap between refacing and replacement is huge.
Typical Oakville Pricing:
Cabinet Refacing:
Small kitchen: $8,000 – $12,000
Medium kitchen: $12,000 – $16,000
Large kitchen: $16,000 – $22,000
Full Replacement:
Small kitchen: $18,000 – $28,000
Medium kitchen: $28,000 – $40,000
Large kitchen: $40,000 – $60,000+
The Bottom Line:
Refacing typically costs 50-60% less than full replacement. Your basically getting a brand new looking kitchen for about half the price.
Want a detailed breakdown of what’s included in these prices? Check out our complete cabinet refacing cost guide.
What Affects the Price Difference?
Every one of these extra steps adds hundreds or thousands to the final bill. Understanding which materials work best for your budget can help you maximize value.
Refacing Costs Include:
New doors and drawer fronts, veneer materials, new hardware, labor for installation
Replacement Adds These Costs:
Demolition and removal, disposal fees, new cabinet boxes (expensive), potentially new countertops, plumbing or electrical work, drywall repair, more labor time (3-4 weeks vs 3-5 days)
Every one of these extra steps adds hundreds or thousands to the final bill. Understanding which materials work best for your budget can help you maximize value.
Timeline Comparison: How Long Will You Be Without a Kitchen?
Time is money, especially when you can’t use your kitchen properly.
Cabinet Refacing Timeline:
- Day 1-2: Remove old doors and drawer fronts, apply veneer to boxes
- Day 3-4: Install new doors and drawer fronts
- Day 5: Attach hardware, final adjustments
- Total Time: 3-5 days
- Kitchen Usability: Fully functional within a week
Full Replacement Timeline:
- Week 1: Demo old cabinets, repair walls
- Week 2: Install new cabinet boxes
- Week 3: Install doors, drawers, adjustments
- Week 4: Countertop install, hardware, final touches
- Total Time: 3-4 weeks minimum
- Kitchen Usability: Completely unusable for 2-3 weeks
The Reality Check:
With refacing, your cooking dinner in your kitchen by the weekend. With replacement, your ordering takeout for a month.
Want to know exactly what happens during the refacing process? We break it down day by day.
Visual Results: Will People Know the Difference?
This is what most people really want to know – will refacing look as good as new cabinets? Let’s be honest about it.
What Refacing Can Achieve:
- Completely new color and style
- Modern door designs
- Updated hardware and handles
- Fresh, clean appearance
- Professional finished look
What Refacing Can’t Change:
- The basic layout of your cabinets
- Cabinet box dimensions
- Number of cabinets
- Fundamental storage configuration
The Truth: If your existing cabinets are well-built and in good structural condition, refacing delivers results that look just as good as new cabinets. Seriously. When we’re done, no one can tell the difference unless they look inside the boxes.
Decision Framework: 5 Questions to Ask
Still not sure? Answer these five questions:
1. Are Your Cabinet Boxes in Good Condition?
Look for solid wood or plywood construction, no water damage, tight joints, no warping.
If YES → Point for Refacing
If NO → Point for Replacement
2. Does Your Current Layout Work?
Do you have enough cabinets? Is everything in a logical place?
If Layout Works → Point for Refacing
If Need to Reconfigure → Point for Replacement
3. What’s Your Budget Reality?
Be honest about what you can actually afford without causing financial stress.
If Budget Under $20,000 → Strong Point for Refacing
If Budget $30,000+ Available → Replacement is Possible
If Budget $15,000 or Less → Refacing is Practical Choice
For detailed pricing information and what affects the final cost, see our cabinet refacing cost guide.
4. How Long Are You Staying in This Home?
Your timeline matters for ROI.
If Staying 10+ Years → Either Option Works
If Selling Within 5 Years → Refacing Offers Better ROI
If Forever Home → Choose Based on Other Factors
5. How Much Disruption Can You Handle?
Be realistic about living through construction.
If Can’t Function Without Kitchen for Weeks → Choose Refacing
If Can Manage Extended Timeline → Either Option Works
If Want Minimal Disruption → Strong Point for Refacing
When Cabinet Refacing is the Best Choice
✓ Solid Cabinet Construction – Your boxes are made of quality plywood or solid wood, not cheap particleboard
✓ Good Structural Condition – No rot, warping, or water damage in the cabinet boxes
✓ Layout Works Well – You have enough storage and everything’s in the right place
✓ Budget Conscious – You want maximum visual impact without the massive cost
✓ Quick Timeline – You need your kitchen back fast (days not weeks)
✓ Minimal Disruption – You want to avoid the chaos of full demolition
✓ Environmental Concerns – You prefer to reuse quality existing materials
When Cabinet Refacing is the Best Choice
✓ Solid Cabinet Construction – Your boxes are made of quality plywood or solid wood, not cheap particleboard
✓ Good Structural Condition – No rot, warping, or water damage in the cabinet boxes
✓ Layout Works Well – You have enough storage and everything’s in the right place
✓ Budget Conscious – You want maximum visual impact without the massive cost
✓ Quick Timeline – You need your kitchen back fast (days not weeks)
✓ Minimal Disruption – You want to avoid the chaos of full demolition
✓ Environmental Concerns – You prefer to reuse quality existing materials
When Full Replacement Makes More Sense
✗ Poor Quality Original Cabinets – If your boxes are made of cheap particleboard that’s swelling or crumbling
✗ Structural Damage – Significant water damage, warping, or broken joints in the cabinet boxes
✗ Layout Doesn’t Work – You need more cabinets, want an island, or need to completely reconfigure the space
✗ Major Kitchen Renovation – Your doing a complete kitchen gut – new flooring, moving walls, relocating plumbing
Tagline
When Full Replacement Makes More Sense
✗ Poor Quality Original Cabinets – If your boxes are made of cheap particleboard that’s swelling or crumbling
✗ Structural Damage – Significant water damage, warping, or broken joints in the cabinet boxes
✗ Layout Doesn’t Work – You need more cabinets, want an island, or need to completely reconfigure the space
✗ Layout Doesn’t Work – You need more cabinets, want an island, or need to completely reconfigure the space
✗ Major Kitchen Renovation – Your doing a complete kitchen gut – new flooring, moving walls, relocating plumbing
Environmental Impact: The Sustainability Angle
If environmental responsibility matters to you, here’s something to consider:
Cabinet Refacing is the Greener Choice:
- Keeps existing cabinet boxes out of landfills
- Reduces material consumption by 70-80%
- Less construction waste
- Shorter project time = less energy use
- Preserves quality existing materials
Full Replacement Environmental Cost:
- Entire cabinet system goes to landfill (often 500-800 pounds)
- Manufacturing new cabinets requires significant raw materials
- More packaging waste
- Higher overall carbon footprint
ROI and Home Value: The Investment Perspective
Both options add value to your home, but the math works differently:
Cabinet Refacing ROI:
Typical investment: $10,000-15,000
Home value increase: $8,000-12,000
ROI: 70-80%
Payback period if you sell: Excellent
Full Replacement ROI:
Typical investment: $30,000-50,000
Home value increase: $20,000-30,000
ROI: 60-70%
Payback period if you sell: Good but not as strong
The Math:
You get similar visual impact and home value boost with refacing, but at half the cost.
Learn more about how long your refaced cabinets will last to maximize your investment.
What About Your Specific Situation?
Every kitchen is unique. Here’s how location and home type might influence your decision:
Oakville Considerations:
Many Oakville homes (especially in Glen Abbey, Joshua Creek, River Oaks) have quality original cabinets from the 1990s-2000s – perfect candidates for refacing
Older homes near downtown Oakville might need full replacement if original cabinets are 1960s-70s era
Surrounding Areas:
Burlington, Mississauga, Milton, and Hamilton homeowners face similar considerations
If your home was built 1990-2010, refacing is usually the cost-effective choice
Pre-1980 homes often benefit more from replacement unless cabinets were already upgraded
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reface cabinets that have already been painted?
Yes, as long as the boxes are structurally sound. We can work with previously painted cabinets without issues.
What if I want to add one or two new cabinets?
We can often build and match new boxes to your refaced cabinets. This works for small additions.
Will refacing fix damaged interiors?
We can replace interior shelving and components as part of refacing, but extensive interior damage might suggest replacement makes more sense.
How long do refaced cabinets last?
With quality materials and proper care, refaced cabinets last 15-20+ years – same as new cabinets.
Can I add features like soft-close hinges with refacing?
With quality materials and proper care, refaced cabinets last 15-20+ years – same as new cabinets.
Will my countertops need to be replaced?
Usually no. Refacing doesn’t disturb countertops since we’re keeping the cabinet boxes. This saves you another $3,000-8,000.
Ready to transform your kitchen?
Call Kitchen Made New at (289) 815-3353 for your free quote today!
The Bottom Line
Choose Cabinet Refacing When:
Your cabinet boxes are solid and in good condition
You like your current layout and storage configuration
You want to save 40-50% compared to replacement
You need your kitchen functional within a week
You want less mess and disruption
Environmental impact matters to you
Choose Full Replacement When:
Cabinet boxes are damaged, poor quality, or deteriorating
You need to change the layout or add cabinets
Your doing a complete kitchen gut renovation anyway
Interior quality is poor and needs updating
Budget isn’t a primary concern
For most Oakville homeowners with cabinets built in the last 30 years, refacing delivers beautiful results at roughly half the cost of replacement. The transformation is just as dramatic, and you get your kitchen back in days instead of weeks.
Get Your FREE Kitchen Consultation Today
Ready to Discuss Your Kitchen?
Get Your Free In-Home Consultation
We’ll assess your cabinets honestly, show you samples of styles and finishes, and give you accurate pricing for your specific kitchen. No pressure, just professional guidance.
Whether you choose cabinet refacing or full replacement, we’re here to help you make the best decision for your home.
📞 Call: +1 (289) 815-3353
📧 Email: [email protected]
📍 Visit: 1155 North Service Rd W Unit 11, Oakville, ON L6M 3E3
Serving: Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Milton, and Hamilton
Related Articles
Want to learn more about cabinet refacing? Check out these helpful resources:
Cost & Planning:
Cabinet Refacing Cost Guide Oakville – Detailed pricing breakdown by kitchen size
Cabinet Refacing Process: What to Expect – Day-by-day timeline and what happens
Materials & Durability:
Best Materials for Cabinet Refacing – Compare wood, thermofoil, painted MDF, and laminate
How Long Does Cabinet Refacing Last? – Durability and lifespan expectations
Our Services:
Cabinet Refacing Oakville – Our complete refacing services and process
