A swollen door under the sink. A cracked drawer front. A finish that’s peeling after years of use. When a few cabinet doors look bad, it’s easy to assume the whole kitchen needs to go. Often it doesn’t. Here’s how to tell whether new doors will do the job, or whether it’s time for new cabinets.
Replace the doors when…
- The cabinet boxes are solid. Open the doors and look inside. If the shelves, sides and bottoms are firm, dry and square, the boxes have plenty of life left.
- Only some doors are damaged. Water damage near the sink or dishwasher, a cracked door, or a chipped finish usually affects a few doors, not the whole kitchen.
- You like your layout. If the kitchen works for you and you just want it to look fresh, new doors change the look without the cost and mess of a remodel.
- You want to keep your countertops. Replacing cabinets usually means removing the countertops. New doors leave your counters, backsplash and plumbing untouched.
Replace the cabinets when…
- The boxes are water-damaged. Soft, swollen or moldy cabinet bottoms, especially under the sink, mean the problem goes deeper than the doors.
- The layout doesn’t work. If you want an island, more storage or a different flow, new doors won’t fix that.
- The cabinets are failing structurally. Sagging shelves, loose face frames or drawers that fall apart are signs the boxes are at the end of their life.
- You’re remodeling anyway. If the countertops, flooring and appliances are all being replaced, new cabinets usually make sense too.
Option 1: Replace just the damaged doors
If only a few doors are damaged, we can make new ones to match. We match the door style and size exactly. Because a new door gets a fresh finish while your existing doors have aged, the color will be very close, but not always identical. New doors are ready in 5–7 days.
Option 2: Replace all the doors
If most of your doors are worn or you’re tired of the style, replacing every door on your existing cabinets can completely change the look of your kitchen for a fraction of the cost of new cabinets. Going from dated raised-panel doors to a clean shaker, for example, can make a kitchen look brand new.
Option 3: New cabinets
If the boxes are damaged or the layout needs to change, new cabinets are the right call. At our showroom you can compare 9 brands side by side, from budget stock lines to premium semi-custom, and every cabinet project comes with a free 3D design so you can see the result before you buy.
Not sure which you need?
Bring a damaged door into our showroom, or email a photo and measurements to info@luxxekitchenandbath.com. We’ll tell you honestly whether new doors will do the job, and give you a free quote either way.
Learn more about cabinet door replacement & repair or browse our cabinets. Luxxe Kitchen & Bath, 2229 Springfield Ave, open 7 days a week, 9am–7pm. Call (908) 258-8718.