Problems With Replacing Cabinet Doors On Existing Cabinetry
What can go wrong when replacing cabinet doors? Discover five common problems and when those mean replacing cabinets makes more sense.
At A Glance
What Could Go Wrong When Updating Your Kitchen With New Cabinet Doors?
Replacing cabinet doors can save money, but unexpected costs can add up. Matching old door styles and updating the rest of your cabinets can increase costs. New doors also won’t fix a poor layout or damaged cabinet boxes. Before ordering, check your cabinets, compare your options, and set aside money for unexpected costs.
Replacing cabinet doors seems like an easy way to save money when updating your kitchen. But what if you run into problems that increase your costs? What if your cabinets need major changes before you can install new doors? And when would replacing your whole kitchen make more sense?
At Cutting Edge Doors & Woodworking in Saskatchewan, we make hundreds of custom cabinet doors each day for customers across Western Canada and the United States. By talking with homeowners who order new doors, we’ve learned what problems can come up and how they can affect the project’s cost.
In this article, you’ll learn:
5 Problems You Might Encounter When Replacing Cabinet Doors
Before considering potential problems, we should clarify what replacing doors means. Replacing cabinet doors means removing the old doors and installing new ones. However, you can’t always replace just the cabinet doors. In fact, many projects also need refacing work.
Refacing goes a step further by updating the visible parts of your cabinets. Both options usually cost less than installing new cabinets, but they can come with unexpected problems.
| Potential Problem | Should You Proceed With Replacing Cabinet Doors? | Should You Consider Replacing Cabinets As Well? |
|---|---|---|
| Matching existing doors is expensive | Maybe; compare the cost of matching existing doors with replacing all the doors. | Not necessarily. |
| Your kitchen layout doesn’t work | No; new doors won’t solve layout or storage problems. | Yes. New cabinets will help you improve layout and storage. |
| Your existing cabinets require expensive modifications | Maybe; it depends on the modifications and their cost. | Maybe; compare modification costs with replacing the cabinets. |
| Your visible cabinetry needs refacing | Yes; if the additional work fits your budget. | Maybe; compare the total refacing cost with the cost of new cabinets. |
| Your cabinet boxes are damaged | No; not if the damage affects their strength or lifespan. | Yes; if the damage is extensive or too expensive to repair. |
Matching Existing Cabinet Doors Can Be Expensive
If you’re replacing only a few cabinet doors, finding a match can be hard. Door manufacturers can discontinue products, so your original doors might no longer be available. Even if you find the right style, matching the colour can be hard because finishes change as they age.
At Cutting Edge, matching existing cabinet doors typically costs at least $150 for the first door and $50 for each additional door. Custom finishing, shipping, and other requirements can increase these prices.
However, paying more for a matching door doesn’t mean you should replace every door. If you only need one or two, matching them will likely cost less than replacing them all. But if you need several doors, get prices for both options. You might find that replacing all the doors gives you better value.
Replacing Cabinet Doors Won’t Improve Your Kitchen Layout
New cabinet doors can change how your kitchen looks, but they won’t fix a poor layout. For example, you might have too little counter space, narrow walkways, or hard-to-reach cabinets. You may also need more room for dishes, appliances, or pantry items.
Drawer inserts, pull-out shelves, and other accessories can help you use your storage space more efficiently. However, changing the layout usually requires moving, altering, or replacing cabinet boxes.
If you’re unhappy with your kitchen’s layout, consider replacing the cabinets and doors. Before deciding, think about what you want to change. If you only dislike how your kitchen looks, new doors might be enough. However, you may be better off with new cabinets if you need a new layout or more storage.
Your Existing Cabinets May Require Expensive Modifications
Replacing cabinet doors doesn’t always save as much money as you’d expect. For example, our customers sometimes find odd hinge placements or other details. Fixing these issues may mean buying new hardware or changing the cabinets.
Another problem can arise if you want to change your cabinet style. For example, older kitchens often have face frame cabinets, which have a wooden frame around each opening. By comparison, modern European-style cabinets have no frame. This lets the doors cover most of the cabinet fronts.
You can install new door styles on face frame cabinets, but getting a modern look may require major changes.
One Cutting Edge customer planned to cut away parts of his face frames to give his cabinets a European-style look. As an experienced carpenter, he had the skills and tools for the job. However, most homeowners would need to hire a professional to make these changes, adding cost.
Before ordering, make sure your new doors will work with your existing cabinets. If you need major changes to get the look you want, compare the cost with buying new cabinets.
Replacing Cabinet Doors May Require More Refacing Work
When replacing cabinet doors, don’t forget about the parts of your cabinets that will still show. These include face frames, exposed sides, and toe kicks, which may no longer match your new doors.
Fortunately, some changes are relatively simple.
For example, you may be able to paint your existing cabinets to match your new doors. This saves you from replacing the cabinet fronts and sides. You might also be able to replace removable cabinet gables (decorative end panels) with new ones. However, not every kitchen is easy to reface. Before ordering new doors, consider asking a contractor which parts of your cabinets you can paint, cover, or replace.
Replacing Cabinet Doors Won’t Fix Damaged Cabinet Boxes
Replacing cabinet doors on damaged cabinets is rarely worth the money because new doors won’t fix the damage underneath.
Over time, cabinet boxes can suffer from water damage, causing swelling, loose joints, and other problems. These issues are common around sinks, where the cabinets are more likely to get wet. You can often repair small areas of damage. However, be cautious if your cabinets have major water damage, weak materials, or joints that are pulling apart.
If your cabinet boxes cannot support new doors, replacing the doors alone is usually a waste of money. Before ordering, ask a cabinet maker or contractor to assess the damage. They can help you decide whether repairs are worth the cost or if new cabinets would be a better choice.
When Should You Reconsider Replacing Cabinet Doors Only?
Replacing cabinet doors can save money, but only if your existing cabinetry is worth keeping. If your renovation requires major repairs or modifications, those additional costs could quickly reduce your savings.
You should reconsider replacing cabinet doors only if:
- Your cabinet boxes are damaged. Water damage or structural problems could shorten their lifespan.
- You dislike your kitchen layout. New doors won’t improve the placement of cabinets or appliances.
- You need considerably more storage. Your existing cabinet boxes might not meet your needs.
- You can’t achieve your preferred style. Major modifications could become expensive.
- The additional work costs too much. Repairs, finishing, and installation could eliminate your savings.
If any of these problems apply, get a quote for full cabinet replacement before ordering new doors. Comparing both options will help you determine whether keeping your existing cabinets is worth the potential savings.
When Should You Proceed With Replacing Cabinet Doors?
Replacing cabinet doors makes sense when your existing cabinets are in good condition, meet your needs, and don’t require extensive modifications. In these situations, keeping the cabinet boxes can reduce renovation costs while limiting demolition, waste, and disruption to your home.
Replacing cabinet doors could be the right choice if:
- Your cabinet boxes are structurally sound. They don’t need major repairs.
- You’re happy with your kitchen layout. You don’t need significant storage or layout changes.
- You mainly want a different appearance. New doors and finishes can achieve your preferred look.
- Your preferred doors work with your cabinets. Installation won’t require extensive modifications.
- Replacing the doors is more affordable. You’ve compared complete project costs, including materials, labour, and unexpected expenses.
If these points describe your kitchen, replacement doors could provide the update you want without the expense of a full renovation.
Learn How Much It Costs To Replace Cabinet Doors
Replacing cabinet doors can save money, but matching problems, outdated layouts, style limitations, and unexpected modifications can increase costs. If your cabinets are structurally sound and meet your needs, replacing the doors may be worthwhile. Otherwise, investing in new cabinets could be the better long-term choice.
At Cutting Edge Doors & Woodworking, we manufacture custom cabinet doors for homeowners and contractors across Canada and the United States. Although we don’t manufacture or install cabinet boxes, we can help you explore replacement doors if your existing cabinets are worth keeping. Your next step is to learn how much it costs to replace cabinet doors so you can build a realistic budget and decide whether replacement doors make financial sense.
