If you’re looking to refresh your kitchen without the hassle of a major renovation, then Cabinet Refinishing Modesto may be right for you. This option offers several benefits compared to cabinet replacement.
Refacing involves replacing your cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and boxes. You can choose from a wide variety of designs and materials to dramatically change the style of your kitchen.
It’s Affordable

Cabinets are the backbone of any kitchen, and they set the tone for your whole space. But, like any other surface in your home, cabinets can start to show wear and tear over time. Worn finishes, outdated styles, and minor damage can quickly leave your kitchen feeling drab and uninspired. And, while a fresh coat of paint might do the trick for a few years, you’ll likely find yourself in need of an upgrade again sooner rather than later.
That’s why many homeowners choose to refresh their cabinets with cabinet refinishing. This budget-friendly option is significantly less expensive than a full kitchen remodel and can be completed in a fraction of the time. Plus, the process is more environmentally friendly and helps reduce waste.
Before you begin, it’s important to properly prepare your cabinets for refinishing to ensure long-lasting results. First, it’s crucial to clean your cabinets with a mild cleaner and a damp cloth or sponge to remove any grime or grease buildup. Make sure to pay special attention to areas around handles and knobs, where dirt and grime tend to collect most frequently. Once your cabinets are cleaned, you’ll want to carefully remove any hardware such as pulls, handles, and hinges. Keep track of where each piece goes, and store it in a safe place for reinstallation once the project is complete.
Once your cabinet faces and sides are sanded down, they’re ready to be painted. When choosing a color, consider the amount of light in your kitchen and what kind of look you’re going for. For example, bright whites and soft grays are popular choices for modern kitchens, while dark wood tones can add a timeless feel to any room.
It’s Quick
Cabinet refacing and refinishing are two different approaches to upgrading your kitchen cabinets. Refacing replaces your existing doors, drawer fronts, and boxes with new ones, while refinishing simply repaints the cabinets to give them a fresh look. Both options have their pros and cons, so decide which one works best for your kitchen’s aesthetic and your long-term goals.
A refinishing job is much faster than a full replacement. In fact, it may be completed in just one day. That’s a big advantage over the three to seven days it takes to complete a full cabinet replacement, which makes your kitchen a construction zone.
Refinishing also produces a durable finish that should last for years to come. However, it’s important to carefully prep your cabinets before painting to ensure the best results. Start by thoroughly cleaning the cabinet surfaces with a mild degreaser to remove any dirt or grime. This will help the new paint adhere to the surface.
Next, lightly sand the cabinet surfaces to smooth them. Use medium-grit sandpaper to remove any rough spots, old finishes, or other imperfections, then switch to fine-grit paper to smooth the surfaces even further. Finally, wipe down the cabinets and face frames with a damp cloth to remove any dust or debris.
When you’re finished, your cabinets will be ready to use with minimal wear and tear. They will not be as sturdy as a fully-replaced set, but they should hold up well to holiday feasts and weekday chaos alike.
It’s Environmentally Friendly
Even the best-designed kitchens start to show signs of wear and tear after a few years. Worn finishes, outdated styles, and minor damage can leave your cabinets looking drab and bring down the overall look of your space. When it’s time for an upgrade, homeowners have two standout options: cabinet refacing or refinishing.
Refinishing your existing cabinets is a more environmentally friendly option than replacing them. Replacing cabinets requires tearing out the old structures and installing new ones, which creates sizable waste and consumes a considerable amount of energy during manufacturing and transportation. Cabinet refinishing, on the other hand, eliminates the need for new materials and reduces landfill waste by reusing existing structures.
The cabinet refinishing process starts by cleaning the surfaces you plan to refinish using a mild cleaner formulated for wood. Be sure to thoroughly clean all the cabinet hardware, such as knobs, handles, and pulls, as well as the face frames and inner surfaces of each door and drawer. Once your surfaces are ready, you can begin the sanding process. Light sanding removes any rough patches, dirt, or old finish and preps the surface for new paint or stain.
Once the sanding is complete, you can apply your chosen coating to your cabinets. Be sure to use low-VOC products, such as those from N-Hance, to avoid toxic fumes that can hang in the air for months and impact the ozone layer. If you have any questions about what kind of products are right for your renovation, be sure to contact a professional. They can help you choose the best option for your home and your budget. They can also offer tips for maintaining your newly-refinished cabinets, such as testing new cleaning products on an inconspicuous area before applying them to the entire surface.
It’s Versatile
Refinishing provides a wide range of style options. This includes everything from modern glosses to classic matte finishes and a wide selection of colors, including subtle hues like whites and grays and bold shades of blues and greens. When choosing a color, be sure to consider current trends, but also what will stand the test of time in your kitchen and beyond.
Adding new hardware, such as knobs or pulls, is another way to elevate the look of your cabinets. The selection of options available is vast, allowing you to find the perfect finishing touch for your new look.
Before you apply the new finish, it’s important to thoroughly clean the cabinet surfaces with a mild degreaser. This step prevents oil and other residue from affecting the adhesion of the new finish. Once your cabinets are cleaned, you’ll need to sand them with medium-grit sanding sponges or a random orbital sander. This removes rough spots, old finish, and imperfections. After sanding, be sure to vacuum and tack cloth the surface to remove any dust and debris.
While refinishing offers an excellent and economical solution for updating your cabinets, it is not suitable for replacing them entirely. If your cabinets are in poor condition, it’s best to opt for refacing instead. While refacing is more expensive than refinishing, it offers a long-term solution that will protect your cabinets from moisture and everyday wear and tear. With proper care, refaced cabinets can last 15-20 years.
It’s Time-Saving
Cabinet refinishing is typically completed in just a few days, meaning your kitchen can still be used while the work is underway. This is a huge time-saver when compared to the extensive process of installing new cabinets, which can take weeks and leave your home out of commission for an extended period.
Cabinets show wear and tear over time due to everyday use, especially in high-traffic areas like the kitchen. This can lead to scratches, dents, and other surface damage that’s difficult to ignore. By refinishing your cabinets and adding new hardware, you can give them a brand-new look without spending a fortune on replacements.
Unlike painting, cabinet refinishing uses an all-natural finish that doesn’t contain harsh chemicals. This helps to reduce environmental waste and protects your cabinets from future damage. In addition, refinishing doesn’t require any extended downtime or strong paint odors that may be uncomfortable for you and your family.
Refinishing your cabinets also offers a customizable result that allows you to choose a color or stain that perfectly matches your taste. With so many options available, it’s easy to create a personalized design that feels completely your own.
A cabinet reface can offer a dramatic change that breathes new life into your kitchen. This process involves removing the existing doors and replacing them with new ones, often featuring features such as soft-close hinges and glass panel doors for a more stylish and functional space. However, this isn’t a DIY-friendly project, and you’ll likely want to hire professionals to ensure a precise fit and long-lasting durability. In addition, the cost of refacing is more substantial than refinishing, but it can dramatically increase your home’s resale value.