Kitchen Cabinet Refacing – The Smart Way to Transform Your Kitchen

If you’re looking to rejuvenate your kitchen’s look without the cost, mess, and disruption of a full cabinet replacement, then you’ll want to consider the highly effective alternative offered by West Hartford Finishing: cabinet refacing.

In this post, we’ll explore what cabinet refacing is, why it might be the right choice for your home, dive into the process (as featured in our homepage video and video gallery) and provide the key considerations, benefits, and steps to take so that you can move forward confidently.

What is Cabinet Refacing?

The term “refacing” refers to giving your existing cabinets a fresh exterior – replacing or covering only the visible surfaces (doors, drawer fronts, face‑frames) while keeping the underlying cabinet boxes intact. According to industry sources, this can cost significantly less than full cabinet replacement.

At West Hartford Finishing, this service is described as “giving your kitchen a brand‑new look without the hassle and expense of a full remodel”. 

Unlike a simple repainting, refacing might include:

• Removal of old doors and drawer fronts

• Installation of new doors / fronts or application of new veneer/overlay

• Replacement of hardware (hinges, pulls) and optionally upgrading to soft‑close features

• Applying a new finish or paint on the cabinet boxes themselves

In short: you keep the structure, but you refresh the “face” of your cabinetry.

Here are the standout benefits of selecting West Hartford Finishing for your project:

• Cost‑Effective Makeover: Because you’re retaining the existing cabinet boxes, you save significantly compared to full replacement. You can change the look of your kitchen for a fraction of the cost of replacing cabinets.

• Minimized Disruption: With refacing, there’s less demolition, less debris, less disruption to your daily life. Our process has been perfected to deliver outstanding results with minimal mess and loss of time in your kitchen.

• Eco‑Friendly: Reusing the existing structure means less waste sent to the landfill, fewer materials manufactured, and a smaller ecological footprint. Many clients value this.

• Modern Look & Customization: You can update the style, finishes, hardware, and color scheme to reflect current trends or your personal taste. Whether you like a classic wood veneer, a painted finish, or a modern matte tone, you’re not locked into your original look.

• Trusted Local Craftsmanship: West Hartford Finishing has been serving Connecticut since 1993 with a deep focus on craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. 

• Video Proof of Quality: We highlight actual job walk‑throughs in our Video Gallery—giving you transparent, real‑world evidence of our work, from start to finish.

The Cabinet Refacing Process — Step‑by‑Step (As Showcased in Our Videos)

Here’s how a typical refacing job with West Hartford Finishing plays out. Our homepage and video gallery walk you through this process in-depth, so be sure to reference those for visual context. 

1. Initial Consultation & Planning

• You meet with the team at West Hartford Finishing to discuss your current cabinets, style preferences, budget, timeline, and desired finishes.

• We evaluate whether your existing cabinet boxes are sound (refacing is cost‑effective when the boxes are structurally solid).

• Together, you select your new doors/drawer fronts, materials, hardware style, and finish color or veneer.

2. Removal & Preparation

• The existing doors and drawer fronts are removed and taken to the workshop for cleaning, sanding, priming, and finishing. 

• The cabinet boxes in your home are cleaned, prepped, and in some cases mild repairs may be done to ensure a smooth base.

• If painting the boxes or applying a new veneer, the crews may mask off the area and protect surrounding surfaces.

3. Door/Drawer Front Replacement or Veneer Application

• New doors/drawer fronts are installed per your selected style, or the existing fronts receive new finishes if applicable.

• Veneer or overlay panels may be applied to the visible sides of the cabinet boxes (end panels, face‑frames) to match the new doors.

• Hardware (hinges, drawer slides, handles/pulls) may be upgraded — for example to soft‑close or full‑overlay styles.

4. Finishing the Cabinet Boxes

• The visible cabinet box faces (and sometimes concealed parts of the box) are refinished or painted with high‑grade products, as we outlines in our process.

• We provide top‑tier finishing, curing, and reinstallation, so the doors and boxes look like new.

5. Reinstallation & Final Inspection

• The doors and drawer fronts are reinstalled in your home.

• Final touches: confirming hardware alignment, soft‑close operation, clean lines, and perfect finish.

• The project is cleaned up and you’re handed back your kitchen with new cabinets.

6. Completion & Enjoyment

• You now have the look and feel of brand‑new cabinets — but with less cost, less mess and less waste.

• The transformation is visible in the before‑and‑after videos in our gallery.

Is Refacing Right for Your Kitchen? Key Considerations

Refacing is an excellent option in many cases — but it isn’t a perfect fit for every scenario. Use the criteria below to assess whether your kitchen is a good candidate.

✅ Good candidate if:

• The existing cabinet boxes are in sound condition (no major structural damage, warping, moisture problems).

• The layout of the kitchen works for you (you’re comfortable with the current drawer/door arrangement).

• You’re primarily interested in updating style, finish, hardware and appearance rather than completely reconfiguring the space.

• You want to save money, reduce waste, and keep the project timeline tighter than a full gut‑remodel.

• Your countertops, appliances or plumbing locations will remain largely unchanged (so the existing boxes make sense).

⚠️ Refacing may not be best if:

• The cabinet boxes are damaged, warped or have serious defects (in that case, replacement may be more cost‑effective and durable).

• You want to change the entire layout — move appliances, change cabinet positions or significantly alter the structure.

• You’re also planning major other renovations (countertops, flooring, plumbing) that would necessitate pulling out the cabinets anyway — sometimes full replacement makes more sense in that case.

What You Should Expect to Budget (and Timeline)

While every project is unique, here are some general benchmarks based on industry averages and what West Hartford Finishing promises.

• Cost: Industry sources suggest refacing can cost roughly 30–50% less than full cabinet replacement.
  We encourage a consultation to get your specific quote. 

• Timeline: Many refacing projects can be completed in 3‑5 days when everything goes smoothly. Our process provides minimal disruption.

• Value & ROI: A refreshed kitchen is a strong selling point for homes, and a well‑executed cabinet refacing can increase perceived value with less investment upfront.

• Finishes & Premium Upgrades: If you choose premium doors, custom veneer, high end hardware (soft‑close, premium pulls) or other upgrades (toe‑kicks, decorative panels) your price will shift accordingly. We can guide you through upgrades.

Choosing Your Style & Finish – Make it Personal

One of the great things about refacing is the opportunity to choose doors/drawer fronts, hardware and finishes that reflect your taste. Here are some style considerations you’ll want to address with us during the consultation.

Door & Drawer Front Style

• Shaker, flat‐panel, raised panel — which profile suits your home’s architecture?

• Full‐overlay vs partial: Do you want doors that almost completely cover the cabinet frame (full overlay) for a seamless modern look?

• Color or wood veneer: do you prefer the look of natural wood grain or painted cabinetry? Refacing allows either direction.

Finish & Material

• Paint: Solid colors (white, grey, navy, black) are popular for modern kitchens.

• Veneer or Laminate: If you want wood tones (walnut, oak, cherry) or specialty finishes, you can select veneer materials.

• Hardware: Upgrading to soft‑close hinges, modern pulls, and drawer systems can significantly elevate the feel.

• Coordination: Make sure your countertops, backsplash, flooring, and lighting complement your new cabinet finish. 

How to Get Started with West Hartford Finishing

Here’s a recommended path to move forward smoothly:

1. Schedule a Consultation — Give us a call at 860-953-5182 or contact us via our online form. 

2. On‑Site Visit & Assessment — Have our team evaluate your existing cabinets to ensure they are good candidates for refacing (structurally sound, in good condition).

3. Select Your Style & Materials — Work with us to choose doors, finishes, hardware, and timeline. 

4. Receive a Proposal/Estimate — Based on your selections and scope, we will provide cost and timeline estimates.

5. Schedule the Work — Coordinate a start date – our streamlined process helps minimize downtime.

6. Enjoy Your Transformed Kitchen — Once complete, you can enjoy your beautiful refreshed kitchen!

FAQs – Quick Answers to Common Questions

Q: Does refacing include replacing the cabinet boxes?
A: No — refacing keeps the original boxes and replaces the doors, drawer fronts and visible surfaces. If the boxes are damaged, a full replacement may be recommended.

Q: Will I need to remove everything from my cabinets?
A: Some items may need to be cleared or moved during the door/removal stage, but because the work is less invasive than a full remodel, disruption is reduced. 

Q: How long before I can use my kitchen again?
A: Many refacing jobs are completed in 3‑5 days, though larger kitchens may take longer depending on the scope of changes and hardware upgrades.

Q: Will the new finish last as long as new cabinets?
A: When done properly—on structurally sound boxes, with quality doors/hardware and a professional finish—it can look, perform and last like new. We use high‑grade products and a proven process for a showroom finish.

Final Thoughts

Updating the look of your kitchen doesn’t always mean tearing everything out and spending tens of thousands of dollars. With the right approach and the right partner, you can achieve a beautiful, modern kitchen at a fraction of the cost — and with far less disruption.

If your cabinet boxes are in good condition and you simply want a refreshed look — new doors, updated hardware, a modern finish or attractive wood veneer — then cabinet refacing with West Hartford Finishing is absolutely worth considering. And since we showcases our process in a clear video gallery, you can actually see what the result looks like, how the project flows, and whether it aligns with your vision.

Take the next step and schedule a consultation to get your project moving. Your dream kitchen may be closer than you think!