Refinish or Reface? What is the difference?

Two different restoration techniques can be used to restore cabinetry that is worn, damaged, or outdated.

Refinishing

Do-it-yourselfers, as well as crews from Cabinet Makers Richmond VA companies or carpentry, take apart the kitchen cabinets and strip away any existing stain or paint. Then, they apply new stains or paint in the same or a different color scheme.

Refacing

Do-it-yourselfers or cabinet refacing specialists remove old doors, false fronts, and drawer faces, then attach veneer made of wood or laminate to the frame and replace the drawer fronts with matching materials.

Richmond Ace Cabinet Refinishing doesn't recommend cabinet finishing:

• Although refinished cabinet surfaces can look great at first, they often crack, chip, or become discolored after a few months or weeks of being exposed to heat or moisture.
• Refinishing all cabinets is usually the best way to fix medium-to-large cracks or peeling areas. However, repainted or restained areas may stand out as bright, flat, overly clean, or glossy patches, compared to the rest of an aged finish that has been exposed to light and heat.
• Wood surfaces can be damaged by refinishing. Stripping and sanding remove the top layer of wood as well as soften it. Wood can warp or become dimpled if it is refinished repeatedly.
• To finish a project, toxic chemicals are used that emit fumes for a long time.
• Refinishing takes time and is labor-intensive.

Richmond Ace Cabinet Refinishing prefers and recommends refacing.

• Refacing is more than just a cosmetic improvement. Refacing, wood substrate and veneer can actually strengthen the cabinet framework, making it last longer.
• If a damaged section of a cabinet is causing damage, it's not necessary to reface all cabinets. A cabinet refacer will often be able to remove the damaged section and replace it without leaving any trace of the repair.
• Most adhesives that are used to reface surfaces don't cause permanent damage. If adhesive removal is required and requires sanding then the cumulative damage to surfaces is less than cabinet refinishing.
• There are many non-toxic and odorless alternatives to refacing adhesive.
• Refacing takes only three to five days. Additional time may be required for extreme damage or to add a section of cabinets.

You now know the difference between refinishing and refacing. Now it is time to decide which method you will use for your next kitchen remodel project.

 

 

Richmond Ace Cabinet Refinishing

Richmond, VA

(804) 532 5810