Q: Is it better to refinish cabinets or replace them?

• <div><p>In most cases, it&rsquo;s more affordable to refinish your cabinets than replace them, with <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/cost-to-refinish-cabinets.htm">refinishing costs</a> averaging <b>$3,000</b> and replacement costs around <b>$9,000</b>. However, there are some instances in which it&rsquo;s better to replace your cabinets, like if they&rsquo;re an outdated style, badly damaged and beyond repair, or a sub-par material, like fiberboard. In all other cases, it&rsquo;s usually a better idea to have a professional refinish them to save money and restore their original condition.</p></div>

Question 1

Is it better to refinish cabinets or replace them?

Accepted Answer

•

In most cases, it’s more affordable to refinish your cabinets than replace them, with refinishing costs averaging $3,000 and replacement costs around $9,000. However, there are some instances in which it’s better to replace your cabinets, like if they’re an outdated style, badly damaged and beyond repair, or a sub-par material, like fiberboard. In all other cases, it’s usually a better idea to have a professional refinish them to save money and restore their original condition.

Question 2

Do custom cabinets add value to your home?

Accepted Answer

•

Installing custom cabinets is a great remodeling project to add value to your home. The return on investment can be over 70%. If you don’t have the budget for all new custom cabinets, try refacing your existing cabinets instead. This can still freshen up a tired kitchen and help make your home appealing to potential buyers.

Question 3

How tall should stacked cabinets be?

Accepted Answer

•

It depends on your ceiling height. Wall cabinets are typically mounted 54 inches from the floor. So, if you have eight-foot ceilings, you’ll need 42-inch-high wall cabinets to fill the gap. And you’ll need 54-inch cabinets if you have nine-foot ceilings. But standard-sized cabinets don’t come in 54 inches, so you'll need to stack various sizes together. And, if you have ceilings higher than nine feet, it’s a good idea to have custom stacked cabinets made to fill your space.

Question 4

What is the 1/3 rule for cabinet hardware and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

•

The 1/3 rule is a design guideline used by interior designers and cabinet installers to select appropriately sized pulls for cabinets and drawers. The rule suggests that for a balanced and cohesive look, a cabinet pull should be approximately one-third the height of the cabinet door or one-third the width of the drawer face. This guideline helps create a symmetrical appearance because the human eye tends to follow the length of the pull across the cabinet face.

While the 1/3 rule is a helpful starting point, it is not the only option. If a measurement falls between available pull sizes, it's generally best to size up. For an ultra-contemporary aesthetic, you can also opt for full-width pulls that span the entire drawer.

Question 5

Can I install new doors on any old cabinets?

Accepted Answer

•

Yes, as long as the doors match the dimensions of your old cabinets and use compatible hinges. This method works best if you are using similar materials and door styles that match your existing cupboards. If you’re choosing significantly different materials, like moving from fiberboard to hardwood, then it’s usually best to replace the entire cabinet.