Cabinet Refacing in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Cabinet refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes and replaces everything you see: doors, drawer fronts, hinges and pulls, with new veneer or laminate applied to the exposed face frames and end panels. When the boxes are solid and the layout works, it changes the look of a kitchen for less money and much less disruption than a full replacement. Countertops, plumbing and appliances usually stay in place.

Checking the boxes first

Refacing only works on sound boxes, and in South Florida the place to look is under the sink. We open every cabinet and check for swollen or delaminating particleboard, soft spots in the sink base floor, water stains, mold, and termite damage, since drywood termites are a common pest in Florida homes. We also check that the boxes are still level and square, and that face frames are solid enough to hold new hinges. If the sink base is damaged but the rest is fine, we can replace that one box and reface the rest. If most of the boxes are failing, we will tell you that replacement is the better use of your money.

Refacing materials

• Laminate and thermofoil: the least expensive option, available in solid colors and woodgrain prints. Thermofoil can peel near heat sources such as ovens and toaster ovens.
• Wood veneer: real wood over the frames with matching solid-wood or veneered doors, stained or painted.
• Solid wood doors: the most expensive choice, usually paired with wood veneer on the frames.

In a humid climate, the adhesive and edge sealing matter as much as the material. Veneer must be fully bonded with no lifting edges where moisture can creep in.

Upgrades that fit into a refacing job

Refacing is a good time to replace worn drawer boxes with new dovetailed boxes on full-extension soft-close slides, swap old hinges for soft-close concealed hinges, add a pull-out trash or roll-out shelves, or add crown molding and light rail. A single new cabinet, such as a microwave cabinet or a wine rack, can be added if the space allows.

Refacing compared with painting and replacement

Painting the existing doors is the least expensive option but keeps the old door style and hinges, and paint over a slick factory finish can chip if the prep is rushed. Refacing changes the door style and hardware. Replacement changes the layout. HomeGuide puts refacing an average kitchen at about $5,000 to $13,000 and notes it typically costs 50 to 75 percent less than replacement.

Refacing in a condo

Because plumbing and walls are not touched, refacing is often the simplest kitchen update for condo owners. Most associations still want to know about the work and may set rules on hours and elevator use, but the approval is usually lighter than for a full remodel.