The pro’s and con’s of replacing kitchen cabinets vs installing a new set of kitchen cabinets

Quartz counter-top white shaker kitchen cabinetsA kitchen is called the heart of a home and there’s a reason for it. It is the epicenter of family life. The kitchen is not only the place where you cook and eat your daily meals but also celebrate good holidays, entertain guests, and spend memorable moments with your family & friends.  The style and design of your kitchen cabinets hold the utmost importance because it is one of the first things that people notice and remember long after they visit your home. So, if your kitchen cabinets are already giving an old and worn look, it’s time to update their look.

Typically, there’s a lot of dreaming, planning, and analyzing that happens before you decide to update your kitchen cabinets. During this decision-making process, ask yourself a lot of questions about what you’d like the finished space to look like.

Basically there are two popular options: remodel kitchen cabinets or replace them altogether. Whether you’re planning to remodel your kitchen cabinets or replace them, deciding what to do about your cabinetry is one of the biggest decisions that should not be made on the spur of the moment.

Replacing Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen Cabinets | Replace Your Kitchen vs Remodel 1In this process, the existing kitchen cabinets and hardware are removed. Afterward, you have to set and precisely level your base cabinets. It’s critical to ensure that the counters are leveled rightly so that things don’t roll. If the base is not leveled properly, this might result in counters cracking down after some time and use. The new cabinet doors & hardware are reinstalled and wall cabinets are then hung.

Can You Do It as a DIY Project?

Replacing kitchen cabinets is less difficult than remodeling them. Cabinet replacement is majorly about leveling base cabinets and partially about lifting heavy wall cabinets. Professional installers can do a better job than you but you can perform this procedure yourself as well.

How Much Does it Cost?

Replacing your kitchen cabinets can cost up to $10,000 to $40,000 which includes budget cabinets and contractor-grade. This process is expensive as compared to remodeling and is dependant on size and needs.

How Long Does It Take?

It takes up to 1 to 2 days to completely replace the kitchen cabinets.

Is Cabinet Replacement Eco-Friendly?

It is less eco-friendly than remodeling. Much of your kitchen cabinet parts like boxes and hardware get landfilled. However, it’s possible to donate your cabinets to recycling yards to reduce waste.

Deciding When Replacing Your Kitchen Cabinets Is The Recommended Option?

  • Remodeling is not the best option.
  • Creating a new kitchen layout.
  • Drawers, doors, and cabinet boxes are in bad condition.
  • When doing a full-scale kitchen remodel.
  • You want a customized or more functional kitchen.

Why Replacing Kitchen Cabinets is better than Remodeling

 Here are some reasons to decide upon replacing your existing kitchen cabinets for a new kitchen. Let’s have a look:

cabinet-features construction kitchen bath world

  1. Horrible Condition of Cabinets

Do you have cabinets that are cheaply built and now falling apart?  Is your main cabinet box is in such poor condition that it will not sustain any new holes drilled for mounting hardware? Are there signs of metal rust on them? If your cabinets are facing these issues, it’s better to replace them. Remodeling such cabinets just to save them is not practical or cost-effective. The last thing you want is to start your remodeling kitchen cabinets project then learn halfway through that you would have preferred to have chosen new kitchen cabinets instead.

  1. Structural Issues in the Kitchen

One of the important things that you might ignore until it’s time to change your kitchen cabinets; are the structural issues in your kitchen. When floors begin to settle, this results in wall shifting and cause problems like doors not closing properly or cabinets sitting crocked. In such situations, remodeling your existing cabinets will not solve the problem. You’ll have to remove your old cabinets completely to have a long-lasting solution to structural issues.

  1. Cabinets Have Signs of Water Damage

Water can be harmful to the structural integrity of your kitchen cabinets. It not only decreases their lifespan, function, and durability but also raises health concerns caused by mold and mildew. If your existing cabinets look swollen, have softwood, or show dark spots on the wood, you need to consider replacing them with new cabinets.

  1. Modern Kitchen Layout and Style

If you are not satisfied with your kitchen floor plan and want to transform it into an advanced layout, remodeling the kitchen cabinets will not work in your case. By replacing all the cabinets, you get more control over your kitchen layout and can design the kind of style that meets your specifications. Refreshing your kitchen can completely transform and update it.

  1. Lack of Space

Do you feel like your kitchen cupboards are always overflowing? Do you find it hard to store your utensils, food, or electrical appliances in the kitchen? If yes, you have two solutions: dispose of certain items or create more storage capacity. You can add more storage capacity to your kitchen by installing new cabinets without disturbing your existing kitchen layout.

  1. Raise the Value of Your Home

You might have heard a real estate broker saying that the state of your kitchen matters a lot while choosing a property. If you are planning to put your house on sale shortly, it’s in your best interest to replace the old kitchen cabinets with the new ones. This will greatly increase the value of your property.

  1. Long-Term Cost Savings

Unlike remodeling old cabinets, brand new cabinets will just be brand new. If your cabinetry is worn & torn and showing signs of deterioration, remodeling those doors will not fix that. It’s just like putting new doors on an old car. Therefore, replacing those destroyed cabinets with new ones will save you from all the rusting or structural issues thus offering a long-term cost-saving solution.

  1. More Functional Kitchen Space

Maybe you want to add more cabinets in your kitchen or you want to have a large sink. Whatever the case, custom cabinets can provide you a lot of flexibility. When you go with the decision of replacing your old cabinetry, you get the freedom to choose all the customization ranging from floor layout to door style. You can design cabinets according to your specifications and create a more functional kitchen for your family.

Remodeling Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinet remodeling is essentially the replacement of the “skin” of the cabinet. It revolves around installing new drawer fronts & doors and applying a new veneer over the existing surface of the cabinet body.

Can You Do It as a DIY Project?

Well, it’s difficult. There are companies and online stores that sell remodeling material to the general public but cabinet remodeling requires some specific tools and techniques that most of the DIYers don’t have.

How Much Does it Cost?

When remodeling your kitchen cabinets consider a budget from up to $4,000 to $10,000 which is approximately 30 to 40% less than the cost of replacing all the kitchen cabinets. It is our opinion that this is a non-cost-effective solution especially for those who are working on a tight budget.  Why?  The footprint of the original kitchen is not changed when remodeling.  In today’s modern world ergonomics along with new design techniques can truly transform the entire look of your home.   Henceforth, increasing the value of your home far greater than when remodeling.

How Long Does It Take?

It takes up to 2 to 4 days on average to fully remodel your kitchen cabinets.

Is Remodeling Eco-Friendly?

Yes, it is extremely eco-friendly. The only items that get thrown out are cabinet doors and drawer fronts.

Deciding  If Remodeling Kitchen Cabinets Is The Best Option?

  • Your cabinet boxes are still in good shape.
  • Cost is an issue for you.
  • You don’t want to alter your current kitchen layout.

Advantages of Remodeling Kitchen Cabinets

  • A great alternative to new cabinets
  • A lot of designs and options to choose from
  • Can be easily combined with new cabinetry
  • Can be installed without removing cabinets
  • Saves you from the hassle of tearing your entire kitchen

Conclusion

Kitchen Cabinets | Replace Your Kitchen vs Remodel 2Who doesn’t want new cabinets? If your budget allows for it, new cabinets can give your kitchen long-lasting value for your enjoyment and resale.

However, if money is an issue even replacing your countertops from laminate to stone can make a world of difference whether you are keeping or selling your home.  Installing a new set of kitchen cabinets is the best way to ensure you are 100% satisfied with your new kitchen.

Kitchen & Bath World – Best Go to Place for Kitchen Cabinets in Kitchener!

Kitchen & Bath World is an online website that can solve all your kitchen renovation issues. Our Pre-cut Modular kitchens are trending as the #1 kitchen replacement choice in Canada and abroad.

We sincerely hope this article has helped you to make an educated decision about the best option for your kitchen. Pick up the phone and book an appointment with one of our designers to get started on your project right away. We can help you out with either option but we would be lying if we said we didn’t prefer full cabinet replacement projects.

If you are still unsure, we also encourage you to book an appointment to consult with our in house kitchen design specialist Chelsea.  Kitchen & Bath World offers personalized advice on what is absolutely the best fit for you; based on our expert opinion and 25+ years of experience.

Feel free to give us a call at (519) 744-BATH [2284] to discuss your kitchen cabinet remodel or replacement project today.

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