Cabinet Refacing in San Ramon, CA
San Ramon Custom Cabinets connects San Ramon homeowners with local cabinet makers for cabinet refacing, including new veneer on the frames, replacement doors and drawer fronts, new hinges and slides, and fresh hardware.
We are a free referral service, not the cabinet maker. If your cabinet boxes are solid but the look is dated, tell us about your kitchen or bath and a local shop will follow up with a written estimate.
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What Cabinet Refacing Includes
Refacing keeps your existing cabinet boxes in place and replaces what you see and touch. It sits between simple painting and a full tear-out, and it changes the kitchen without moving plumbing or countertops.
Veneer on Frames and Box Sides
A thin layer of wood veneer, or a laminate or thermofoil skin, is bonded to the face frames and exposed sides of the existing cabinets. Wood veneer can be stained or sprayed; rigid thermofoil and laminate offer low-maintenance finishes. Surface preparation determines how well the veneer holds.
New Doors
Replacement doors are made to the exact openings, in styles such as Shaker, slab or raised-panel. Materials include solid maple, white oak, alder or MDF for painted finishes. Check the sample door in your own light.
New Drawer Fronts
Old drawer fronts are replaced with new ones that match the doors. In some cases the drawer boxes are kept; in others they are replaced with dovetail boxes and soft-close slides.
Hinges, Slides and Hardware
Concealed hinges, such as Blum, can be fitted and adjusted so doors close quietly. New knobs and pulls complete the look. Dated surface-mount hinges are usually a good reason to upgrade.
Trim and Finishing Touches
Crown molding, light rail, toe kick covers and end panels can be added or updated to tie the refaced cabinets together.
Types of Cabinet Refacing Materials
The surface you choose has the biggest effect on appearance, durability and cost.
Real Wood Veneer
Maple, oak, cherry, walnut and other veneers have real grain and can be stained to match. They are repairable and take a clear finish. Species selection and grain matching influence the final look.
Rigid Thermofoil
A vinyl layer vacuum-formed over MDF door cores. It is easy to clean and affordable, but can peel near heat sources such as an oven or dishwasher, so placement matters.
High-Pressure Laminate
Durable and available in many solid colors and wood patterns, laminate suits modern designs and heavy-use areas.
Paint-Grade Doors
MDF or poplar doors that are sprayed with conversion varnish or catalyzed lacquer in the shop produce a smooth, hard painted finish. This is popular for white and gray kitchens.
Is Your Kitchen a Good Candidate for Refacing
Refacing works best when the existing layout is functional and the boxes are in sound condition.
Sound Boxes and Frames
If the cabinet boxes are solid wood or plywood and not water-damaged, refacing is a reasonable choice. Swollen particleboard or sagging shelves may need repair first. See cabinet repair for that.
When Replacement Makes More Sense
If you want a different layout, more storage or frameless cabinets, refacing cannot change the footprint. Full replacement or custom cabinets might serve you better.
Frameless Versus Face-Frame Boxes
Face-frame cabinets are easier to reface because the frame can be veneered. Frameless boxes have thin edges; they can still be refaced with edge banding and new doors, but the options and process differ.
The Refacing Process Step by Step
Consultation and Measurements
The cabinet maker inspects the boxes, measures each opening, and discusses door style, material and hardware. A drawing or order sheet records every dimension.
Door and Drawer Front Fabrication
New doors and fronts are made off site or in the shop. Lead time depends on material and the shop's schedule, so ask for it in writing.
On-Site Work
Old doors and hardware are removed, surfaces are cleaned and sanded, veneer is applied to frames and sides, then new doors, fronts and hardware are installed and adjusted.
Final Walk-Through
Check door alignment, soft-close action and finish quality. Note any touch-up items and agree on a completion date.
Choosing Doors and Drawer Fronts
Door style defines the kitchen, so it deserves attention. The new door profile should suit the architecture of your home and the countertop and backsplash you plan to keep.
Shaker and Flat-Panel
The five-piece Shaker door is the most common choice in the Bay Area and works with many styles. Flat-panel and slab doors suit modern and mid-century kitchens.
Raised Panel and Traditional
Raised panels, arched tops and cathedral details give a classic look. They are more intricate to finish and clean.
Glass-Front Doors
Glass doors can break up a wall of cabinets and display dishes. Interior lighting and tidy shelves help.
Drawer Front Configurations
Converting stacked small drawers into wider, deeper ones may require new drawer boxes, so confirm this in the scope.
Refacing Versus Painting and Replacement
Refacing is one of three common routes.
Compared With Painting
Painting or refinishing the existing doors costs less but keeps the old door style. Refacing changes the style. See cabinet refinishing and painting for that option.
Compared With Replacement
Replacement allows a new layout but needs demolition, countertop removal and often plumbing and electrical coordination. Refacing keeps most of the kitchen intact and usually causes less disruption.
Countertops and Backsplash
Because the boxes stay in place, existing counters can usually stay. New counters may be worth doing at the same time so edges and overhangs match the refaced doors.
Hardware Upgrades That Pair With Refacing
Hardware choices are a straightforward way to finish a refaced kitchen. Soft-close concealed hinges, undermount slides and quality pulls improve everyday use as much as the new look.
Hinge Types
Overlay hinges suit full-overlay doors; inset doors need inset hinges. The right hinge depends on the box and frame. A cabinet maker should confirm compatibility before ordering doors.
Soft-Close Retrofits
Soft-close dampers can be added to many hinges and slides, but replacing them is usually better when the old hardware is worn.
Pulls, Knobs and Finish
Brushed nickel, matte black, brass and stainless are common. Existing drilled holes may limit pull size unless the new doors are blank and drilled to your choice.
Refacing Beyond the Kitchen
Bathroom vanities, laundry cabinets, built-ins and office cabinets can also be refaced when the boxes are solid. Bathrooms need moisture-resistant materials, and laminate or sealed painted doors often last better than thermofoil in damp rooms. Built-in bookcases and entertainment units can be given new doors and veneer to match the rest of the house.
Mistakes to Avoid When Refacing
- Choosing doors before verifying the boxes are sound and square
- Ignoring the sides of end cabinets and exposed panels, which then do not match the new fronts
- Not planning for new hinges and slides, which leaves worn hardware behind new doors
- Skipping a sample door in your actual lighting
- Failing to get a written scope that lists every door, drawer front and trim piece
What Affects the Cost of Cabinet Refacing
Refacing in the Bay Area is often priced per project or per linear foot, and a typical kitchen commonly falls in the range of several thousand to the low tens of thousands of dollars. Door style, material, the number of drawers, hardware, crown and trim, and replacing drawer boxes all change the price. These are general ranges; a written estimate from a cabinet maker is what counts.
Because refacing keeps your existing boxes, the savings compared with replacement depend on how complex the kitchen is. Ask the shop to compare refacing with painting and replacement for your specific kitchen.
Get Cabinet Refacing in San Ramon Today
Tell us about your cabinets and we will connect you with a local cabinet maker. The referral is free and carries no obligation.
Free quoteCabinet Refacing FAQs
How long does cabinet refacing take?
Fabrication lead time plus on-site work. On-site installation for a typical kitchen is often a matter of days, but ask the shop for a schedule in writing.
Can refacing change my cabinet color or style?
Yes. New doors, drawer fronts and veneer can transform both the color and door style while using the same boxes.
Will my kitchen layout change?
No. Refacing does not move cabinets. If you want a new layout, consider custom or replacement cabinets.
Is veneer real wood?
Wood veneer is a thin slice of real wood bonded to a substrate. It has real grain and can be stained. Thermofoil and laminate are not wood.
Are refaced cabinets durable?
They can be, when the boxes are sound and the materials suit the use. Thermofoil near heat can peel, so ask about the best material for each location.
Does the referral cost anything?
No. You pay nothing for the introduction.