How do I know if my NB cabinets are worth refacing?

Cabinet refacing is worth it when your existing cabinet boxes are structurally sound, your layout works well for your lifestyle, and you're looking to refresh the look without a full gut renovation — typically saving 40-50% compared to full replacement.

The key question is whether your cabinet boxes (the frames and carcasses behind the doors) are in good shape. Open every door and drawer and look carefully at the interior. If the plywood or particleboard is solid, corners are square, drawer slides still function, and there's no soft spots or swelling from water damage, your boxes are likely good candidates for refacing. If you're seeing delaminating shelves, warped sides, or soft wood near the sink base cabinet, replacement makes more financial sense — you'd be putting new doors on a failing structure.

Layout is the other major factor. Refacing keeps everything exactly where it is — same door swing directions, same cabinet sizes, same storage configuration. If you've lived with your kitchen for years and genuinely like how it functions (just not how it looks), refacing is a smart move. If you're constantly frustrated by a lack of corner storage, wish the island was bigger, or want to remove a wall, refacing won't solve those problems. That's a renovation conversation, not a refacing one.

NB-Specific Considerations

In New Brunswick's climate, the age and material of your existing cabinet boxes matters a lot. Many NB homes built in the 1970s and 1980s have original kitchens with solid plywood boxes that have held up remarkably well — these are excellent refacing candidates. What often fails first in our climate is the door and drawer fronts, especially older thermofoil or laminate finishes that have delaminated from years of dry winter air and humid summers. The boxes underneath can be perfectly fine.

One important warning: avoid choosing thermofoil doors for your reface. It's a common upsell because it's cheaper, but NB's forced-air heating drops indoor humidity to 15-25% in winter, and thermofoil doors typically begin delaminating within 5-10 years in this climate. Ask your contractor specifically for solid wood or MDF-core painted doors — they handle NB's humidity swings far better and will last the life of the reface.

Practical Steps Before Deciding

Start by checking the sink base cabinet first — it takes the most moisture abuse and is the most likely to show damage. Pull everything out and press on the floor and side panels. Solid resistance means healthy wood; any give or sponginess means water damage. Next, check that your cabinet boxes are still plumb and level — a refacing contractor can shim minor issues, but severely racked boxes are a red flag.

Budget-wise, refacing in NB typically runs $5,000-$12,000 depending on kitchen size and door style, compared to $10,000-$25,000+ for new cabinet installation. If your boxes pass the inspection, that's real savings that can go toward new countertops, flooring, or appliances to complete the refresh.

A reputable refacing contractor will assess your boxes honestly before quoting — if someone is eager to reface without thoroughly inspecting the carcasses first, that's a concern. Need help finding a kitchen renovator who can assess whether refacing is right for your kitchen? New Brunswick Kitchens can match you with a local contractor for a free estimate.