Cabinet Painting vs. Refinishing vs. Refacing: What’s The Difference?

If your kitchen or bathroom cabinets are outdated, worn, or simply no longer match your style, you may be wondering what the best upgrading option is; cabinet painting, cabinet refinishing, or cabinet refacing. For over 15 years, Van Horn Painting has helped hundreds of homeowners and business owners throughout the Philadelphia Mainline make this exact decision.

This guide is designed to be a one-stop resource for homeowners and business owners considering cabinet upgrades. We’ll explain how each option works, the pros and cons of each, realistic local cost ranges, and which solution is best for your home and budget.

What’s the Difference Between Painting, Refinishing & Refacing?

Before diving into costs and comparisons, it’s important to understand what each service actually involves. Each option has its place, but they are not equal in cost, timeline, or flexibility.

• Cabinet Painting: Existing cabinet boxes and doors are professionally prepped and painted with high-performance coatings.
  
• Cabinet Refinishing: Natural wood cabinets are stripped or sanded and stained or sealed to restore the wood finish.
  
• Cabinet Refacing: Cabinet boxes are covered with new veneer, and doors/drawer fronts are replaced entirely.
  
  

Cabinet Painting: The Best Value for Most Homes

How Cabinet Painting Works

Cabinet painting is the preferred choice for homeowners in the Philadelphia area seeking a significant, modern aesthetic update without the expense associated with a complete kitchen remodel. When executed by professionals, the process ensures a smooth, factory-finished appearance. This meticulous approach involves several critical steps: 

First, a thorough deep cleaning and degreasing of all cabinet surfaces is performed to eliminate contaminants. This is followed by detailed sanding and surface preparation, which is essential for ensuring maximum paint adhesion. Finally, a high-adhesion primer is applied, followed by the fine-finish or spray application of a durable, cabinet-grade paint.

Benefits of Cabinet Painting

• Most cost-effective option
• Fast turnaround (often 3–5 days)
  
• Wide range of color choices
  
• Minimal disruption to your home
• Eco-friendly (no materials discarded)

Average Cost of Cabinet Painting in the Philadelphia Mainline

$3,000 – $7,000 for an average-sized kitchen (Price varies by cabinet count, condition, and finish selection).

Best For:

• Cabinets that are structurally sound
  
• Homeowners wanting a modern or updated look
  
• Budget-conscious renovations with high ROI
  

Cabinet Refinishing: Preserving Natural Wood

How Cabinet Refinishing Works

Cabinet refinishing is often confused with painting, but it’s a very different process. This process is typically chosen when the homeowner, or business owner, wants to restore or preserve the natural beauty and grain of the existing wood. 

The process begins with the careful stripping or sanding down of the existing finish to expose the bare wood. Any minor imperfections or damage to the wood are then repaired as needed before the cabinets are treated with a new stain to achieve the desired color. Finally, the cabinets are sealed with a protective topcoat for durability.

Benefits of Cabinet Refinishing

• Maintains natural wood appearance
  
• Ideal for high-quality hardwood cabinets
  
• Restores worn or faded finishes
  
  

Limitations

• Limited color options compared to paint
  
• Labor-intensive
  
• Not suitable for MDF or laminate cabinets
  
  

Average Cost of Cabinet Refinishing in the Philadelphia Mainline

$5,000 – $9,000 depending on wood type and cabinet condition

Best For:

• Solid wood cabinetry
  
• Traditional or historic homes
  
• Homeowners who prefer wood tones over painted finishes
  
  

Cabinet Refacing: A Partial Replacement

How Cabinet Refacing Works

Cabinet refacing is a process where the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts are removed and replaced with new ones, while the existing cabinet boxes are covered with a matching veneer. This approach provides a significant cosmetic update to the kitchen without the full expense of replacing the entire cabinet structure. However, even though it's less costly than a complete cabinet replacement, it remains the most expensive option among painting, refinishing, and refacing.

Benefits of Cabinet Refacing

• Changes door style completely
  
• New hardware and hinges typically included
  
• Longer lifespan than painting alone
  
  

Drawbacks

• Highest cost short of full replacement
  
• Longer project timeline
  
• Less flexibility once materials are chosen
  
  

Average Cost of Cabinet Refacing in the Philadelphia Mainline

$8,000 – $15,000+ depending on materials and layout

Best For:

• Homeowners wanting new door profiles
  
• Cabinets with damaged or outdated doors
  
• Larger renovation budgets
  
  

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Option Is Right for You?

With over 15 years as a painting contractor in the southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware region, we can confidently say that cabinet painting is often the best choice for most homeowners. If your cabinets are in good shape structurally, painting delivers the biggest visual impact for the lowest investment and least amount of disruption in your home or business. However, if you love, or have natural wood cabinets and want to restore them, refinishing may be best for you. Alternatively, if you want new cabinet doors and drawer fronts (and have a larger budget), then cabinet refacing will be the choice for you. A professional evaluation can help determine which option makes the most sense for your cabinets.

Why Professional Cabinet Painting Matters

DIY cabinet painting, or even hiring inexperienced contractors often leads to brush marks and uneven finishes, peeling or chipping paint, and/or short-lived results. As an experienced, family-owned and operated painting company in the Philadelphia area, we use professional-grade products and proven processes to ensure your cabinets look, and stay beautiful!

Final Thoughts: Making the Smart Investment

Upgrading your cabinets doesn’t have to mean tearing out your kitchen, or breaking the bank. By understanding the differences between cabinet painting, refacing, and refinishing, you can make a confident, informed decision that fits your home, lifestyle, and budget.

If you’re located in the Philadelphia Mainline, southeastern Pennsylvania, or northern Delaware, and are considering cabinet painting services, we’d be happy to hear from you and help you transform your space.