By Prestige Painting Inc., KelownaUpdated 1 min read
Cabinet painting
Painting keeps your existing doors, boxes and layout. With proper degreasing, sanding, bonding primer and a sprayed cabinet enamel, the result is a smooth, durable, factory-style finish. Best for solid wood or MDF cabinets in good shape.
Because counters, plumbing and flooring stay in place, painting is also the least disruptive option. Doors and drawer fronts are usually removed and finished separately while the boxes are painted on site.
Cabinet refacing
Refacing replaces doors and drawer fronts and covers the boxes with veneer. It changes the door style (for example, raised panel to shaker) but costs more than painting and still keeps the existing layout.
Full replacement
Replacement is the most expensive and disruptive option, often affecting counters, plumbing and flooring. It is worth it when boxes are damaged or the layout does not work.
Side-by-side comparison
Cost: painting lowest, refacing middle, replacement highest
Disruption: painting keeps counters and plumbing; replacement usually does not
Door style: painting keeps it; refacing and replacement can change it
Layout: only replacement changes the layout
Best when: painting for solid cabinets you like; refacing for a new door style; replacement for a new layout or damaged boxes
Is painting durable enough for a busy kitchen?
Yes, when the prep is right. The steps that decide how long painted cabinets last are degreasing, scuff-sanding, a bonding primer made for slick surfaces, and a hard cabinet-grade enamel rather than wall paint. Painted cabinets feel dry within hours but take a few weeks to reach full hardness, so gentle use and closing doors softly during that period helps the finish last.
When painting is not the right choice
Painting cannot fix swollen particleboard, broken boxes or doors that have delaminated. If the cabinets are failing structurally, or you want to move the sink or add an island, refacing or replacement is the better investment.
Key takeaways
- Painting: lowest cost, keeps layout and doors
- Refacing: new door style, higher cost
- Replacing: new layout, highest cost and disruption
- Solid doors + good layout = paint them
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to paint or reface kitchen cabinets?
Painting is usually the most affordable option because it keeps your existing doors, drawer fronts and boxes. Refacing costs more because new doors and veneer are installed.
How long do painted cabinets last?
With proper degreasing, sanding, bonding primer and a cabinet-grade enamel, painted cabinets hold up well for years in a busy kitchen. Prep quality matters more than anything else.
Can laminate or thermofoil cabinets be painted?
Some laminate cabinets can be painted with the right bonding primer. Peeling thermofoil usually cannot be painted reliably. A quick on-site look confirms which you have.
How long will my kitchen be out of use?
Much less than a replacement. Counters and plumbing stay in place, and the kitchen stays usable for most of the project while doors are finished.
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