Replacing old, outdated cabinet fronts with new fronts can make a dramatic difference in the look of your kitchen or bathroom. But how much does it cost to replace cabinet fronts? The cost depends on several factors, including the type of material you choose, the number of cabinets and doors, and any customization and installation work needed. This guide examines the cost factors for new cabinet fronts so you can budget for an affordable kitchen or bath remodel.
What Impacts the Cost of New Cabinet Fronts?
Several key factors determine how much you’ll pay for new cabinet fronts:
Type of Material
The material you choose for cabinet fronts significantly affects the total cost. Materials vary in price from inexpensive vinyl and laminates to higher-end solid wood and stainless steel. In general, more durable and better-looking materials cost more.
- Least Expensive: Vinyl and laminate fronts cost $20-60 per door on average.
- Mid-Range: Thermofoil fronts run $100-200 per door.
- Most Expensive: Solid wood fronts average $200-500+ per door.
Keep in mind any special surface finishes (stains, paints, etc.) will add to the material cost.
Number of Doors
The more cabinet fronts you need to replace, the higher the total project cost. Standard kitchens have 20-40 cabinet doors while bathrooms average 6-12. Measure your cabinets and multiply by the per door price of your chosen material to estimate the number of doors. More doors equal a higher bottom line cost.
Door Styles
Standard slab cabinet doors are the most affordable option. More ornate door styles like Shaker, inset panels, and raised molding cost more to manufacture and install. Slab doors run $20-300 on average per door while custom/ornate doors can cost $125-600 each.
Customization
Any custom sizing or design for your new fronts adds cost. Custom cabinet doors average 1.5 to 2 times the cost of standard size doors. Expect to pay at least $300-1000 per customized door depending on the material and complexity.
Installation Costs
Most cabinet manufacturers charge extra for professional installation. This ranges from $150-300 per day depending on your location and the scope of work. DIY installation saves money but requires carpentry skills.
Sales Tax
Unless you purchase fronts from an out-of-state supplier, expect to pay sales tax on top of the base cost. This averages 6-10% but varies by location. Always account for sales tax when budgeting.
Now that we’ve reviewed the major cost factors, let’s look at price estimates for full cabinet front replacement projects.
Cost to Replace All Cabinet Fronts
Here are typical price ranges to replace all cabinet fronts in kitchens and bathrooms:
- Small Kitchen (10-20 doors): $500-$4000
- Large Kitchen (25-50 doors): $1000-$10,000+
- Average Bathroom (6-12 doors): $400-$1500
These costs assume mid-to-high end materials like solid wood or thermofoil. Entry-level vinyl doors would fall at the lower end of these ranges. Expect to pay more if you have a large kitchen and choose expensive materials like stainless steel. Factoring in installation fees and customization would also increase costs.
To get an accurate estimate, take detailed measurements and get quotes for specific cabinet door styles from home improvement stores and cabinet manufacturers. Online cabinet door vendors also provide upfront pricing on their websites.
Next, let’s look at the cost breakdown for specific cabinet front materials.
Vinyl Cabinet Fronts
Vinyl cabinet fronts offer an affordable way to refresh old cabinets on a budget. Here is an overview of vinyl cabinet front costs:
- Average Cost per Door: $20-$60
- Small Kitchen: $200-$1200
- Large Kitchen: $500-$3000
- Bathroom: $120-$700
Pros of vinyl fronts:
- Inexpensive material cost
- Easy DIY installation
- Many color/finish options
- Resists moisture
- Ideal for rentals and flips
Cons to consider:
- Less durable than solid wood
- Cheap appearance if low quality
- Limited door style options
- Prone to scratches and dents
Vinyl fronts are the cheapest route but show wear over time. Weigh the pros and cons for your goals and budget.
Laminate Cabinet Fronts
A step up from vinyl, laminate cabinet fronts offer more realistic wood looks at moderate prices:
- Average Cost per Door: $40-$100
- Small Kitchen: $400-$2000
- Large Kitchen: $1000-$5000
- Bathroom: $250-$1200
Pros of laminate fronts:
- Affordable mid-range price
- Resistant to scratches and everyday wear
- Many realistic faux woodgrain options
- Easy DIY installation
Cons to consider:
- Not as durable as real wood
- Joints more visible than real wood doors
- Limited dark color choices show wear
- Prone to chipping along edges
Laminate strikes a good balance between affordability and quality. The faux woodgrain styles mimic real wood for less.
Thermofoil Cabinet Fronts
For a more seamless and sleek modern look, thermofoil cabinet fronts are a great option:
- Average Cost per Door: $100-$200
- Small Kitchen: $1000-$4000
- Large Kitchen: $2500-$10,000
- Bathroom: $600-$2400
Pros of thermofoil:
- Attractive seamless door style
- Highly resistant to scratches and dents
- Easy cleaning with non-porous surface
- Many color choices including woodgrains
- Good mid-range price point
Cons to consider:
- Not as repairable as real wood
- Edges prone to chipping
- Limited intricate door styles available
- Not a natural material
With thermofoil, you pay more for a streamlined modern look and excellent durability. The material suits contemporary and minimalist kitchens.
Solid Wood Cabinet Fronts
For classic beauty and quality, solid wood fronts are the gold standard:
- Average Cost per Door: $200-$500+
- Small Kitchen: $2000-$10,000
- Large Kitchen: $5000-$25,000
- Bathroom: $1200-$6000
Pros of real wood fronts:
- Timeless beauty and value
- Can be stained, painted, or refinished
- Repairable and can last decades
- Highest quality and visual appeal
- Many door styles like inset panels
Cons to consider:
- Most expensive option
- Requires expertise to install
- Prone to scratches, water damage
- Can warp or expand/contract over time
Wood fronts offer unmatched visual appeal and value over time. While expensive upfront, they can last for decades with proper care. Choose high-quality woods like oak, maple, or cherry for the best results.
Stainless Steel Cabinet Fronts
For a contemporary, polished look, stainless steel fronts make a striking statement:
- Average Cost per Door: $250-$1000+
- Small Kitchen: $5000-$20,000
- Large Kitchen: $12,500-$50,000
- Bathroom: $1500-$12,000
Pros of stainless steel:
- Sleek, mirror-like contemporary aesthetic
- Highly durable and easy to clean
- Antimicrobial non-porous surface
- Matches stainless appliances
- Makes a bold visual statement
Cons to consider:
- Expensive, premium-priced option
- Fingerprints and smudges show easily
- More industrial than warm and inviting
- Not an option for traditional aesthetics
Stainless fronts work best in contemporary spaces as an upscale accent material. While pricey, they create a modern, polished look.
Glass Cabinet Fronts
Glass cabinet doors provide an open and airy transparency:
- Average Cost per Door: $75-$250
- Small Kitchen: $750-$5000
- Large Kitchen: $1875-$12,500
- Bathroom: $450-$3000
Pros of glass fronts:
- Allows display of contents
- Creates an open, airy ambiance
- Available with frosted, etched, or patterned looks
- Easy to clean
- Light-reflecting surface
Cons to consider:
- More fragile and prone to breaking
- Shows contents inside, not as concealed
- Handprints and smudges visible
- Limited surface area for pulls/knobs
Used selectively on upper cabinets, glass fronts create a lighter and more spacious look. Handle with care and clean frequently to maintain their beauty. Etched and frosted glass offers some concealment.
How to Save on Cabinet Front Costs
To make your cabinet front replacement more affordable, here are some smart tips:
- Buy in Bulk Online: Purchasing fronts online in bulk quantities can save 20% or more off retail door pricing.
- DIY Installation: If you’re handy, consider doing the front installation yourself to avoid labor fees.
- Mix Materials: Use lower cost vinyl or laminate on less visible cabinets and splurge on wood or steel for main focal points.
- Standard Sizes Only: Avoid any door customization which adds to project costs.
- Simple Slab Fronts: Choose simple slab door fronts without decorative moldings or paneling.
- Limited Glass Accents: Use glass fronts selectively on just a couple upper cabinets.
- Buy Discounted Remnants: Check for leftover clearance cabinet fronts at home improvement stores.
With smart planning and cost-saving measures, you can refresh your kitchen or bath with new fronts while sticking to your budget. Carefully weigh the benefits of different materials to make the best long-term investment.
What Are the Best Materials for Cabinet Fronts?
When choosing new cabinet fronts, you can’t go wrong with any high-quality wood like oak, maple, or cherry. Here are the benefits that make real wood a top choice:
- Timeless beauty that increases home value
- Can be stained, painted, and customized
- Real wood repairs and refinishes well
- Visible quality and craftsmanship
- Matches any home decor style
- Improves with age as it patinas over time
- Good return on investment at resale
While pricier upfront, real wood fronts add value and provide decades of lasting beauty. For a more budget-friendly option, thermofoil gives you durability and a streamlined look at moderate cost.
Ultimately, the right material comes down to your budget, aesthetics, and functional needs. Any high-quality front investment will pay off by increasing your satisfaction and home value. Choose materials suited to your personal style. With proper installation and care, new fronts should provide 20+ years of everyday service.
Typical Maintenance for New Cabinet Fronts
Your new cabinet fronts will look fresh and pristine after installation. But over time, fronts accumulate wear and need basic maintenance. Here is typical maintenance required:
- Touch Up Painting: Wood door surfaces may need fresh coats of paint or stain every 2-5 years. Match the original finish.
- Repair Damage: Fix scratches, gouges, or chips in wood, laminate, and thermofoil. Use fillers, touch up markers, or professional help for more extensive damage. Address damage right away to limit visibility.
- Tighten Hinges: Doors that sag or don’t align likely have loose hinges that need tightening.
- Adjust Pulls: Drawers that stick or don’t close right may need cabinet pulls tightened or adjusted.
- Clean Surfaces: Clean fronts regularly using the appropriate cleanser for the material. Don’t use abrasive cleaners.
- Inspect for Moisture: Look for any swelling, warping, bubbling, or damage from moisture especially around sinks. Address sources of moisture right away.
- Re-align Doors: If doors become crooked or misaligned over time, hinges can be adjusted to re-hang doors straight.
With periodic maintenance and by addressing issues promptly, your new cabinet fronts will stay beautiful and functional for decades. Protect your investment with proper care.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Cabinet Fronts
Kitchen and bathroom cabinets endure constant heavy use. At some point, worn out fronts need replacing. Here are signs it’s time for new cabinet fronts:
- Faded Colors: Paint, stain, or laminate finishes appear washed out, dull, or discolored.
- Chipped or Peeling Edges: Laminate coatings and thermofoil edges are cracked or bubbled.
- Deep Scratches: Gouges, scrapes, or cuts can’t buff out or touch up successfully.
- Warping or Swelling: Exposure to leaks or high humidity has deformed wood fronts.
- Loose Hinges: Doors sag, don’t align right, or detach from hinges.
- Infestation Damage: Signs of damage from termites, carpenter ants, or beetles.
- Won’t Paint Well: Attempts to repaint look blotchy and undesirably textured.
- Outdated Style: Front style looks dated and replacing offers an aesthetic upgrade.
Addressing these common issues right away maximizes the lifespan of your cabinets. But once multiple problems accumulate, replacement provides a fresh start.
Are New Cabinet Fronts Worth It?
For kitchens and bathrooms with cabinets in good structural condition, replacing just the fronts provides an affordable facelift. New fronts can modernize the space and make cabinets seem custom-built. But are new fronts worth the investment cost?
Here are the key benefits that make cabinet front replacement worthwhile:
- Big Visual Impact: New fronts entirely transform the look for much less than full cabinet replacement.
- Customized Aesthetic: Choose any front style and finishes to match your vision.
- Cost Savings: Just fronts cost 50-70% less than replacing full cabinet boxes and faces.
- Eco-Friendly: Keeping cabinet boxes avoids landfill waste and lost energy invested in their original construction.
- Convenience: Install new fronts without major remodeling hassles.
For a relatively reasonable price, you can revive worn or outdated cabinets with beautiful new fronts. This extreme makeover is much quicker, greener, and cheaper than full cabinet replacement. With some smart prep work and research, installing new fronts is a DIY-friendly project with dramatic results.
Invest in quality materials made to last, and your new fronts will provide a renewed sense of joy in your kitchen or bathroom for years to come. The visual impact and enjoyment you gain makes the cost worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the cost to replace cabinet fronts:
How much do custom cabinet fronts cost?
Custom fronts average 1.5-2 times more than standard size doors. Expect to pay $300-1000+ per door depending on the material and complexity.
Is it cheaper to replace fronts or full cabinets?
Just replacing the fronts costs 50-70% less than full cabinet replacement. It’s a budget-friendly remodel option.
Can I install new fronts myself?
With some carpentry skills, new fronts can be a DIY project, saving on installation costs. Watch online tutorials for guidance.
What cabinet fronts are cheapest?
Vinyl and laminates offer the lowest per door cost at $20-100 on average. But they won’t have the quality or longevity of solid wood fronts.
Do new fronts increase home value?
Quality new fronts in materials like wood, steel, or glass can increase your home’s resale value. Outdated fronts can detract value if they look worn.
Should all fronts match in kitchen?
Having all fronts match color and style creates a streamlined, custom-look. But mixing materials can provide contrast and highlight focal areas.
How long do thermofoil cabinet fronts last?
With reasonable care, thermofoil fronts last 15-25 years. Their durability makes them a cost-effective option.
Replacing outdated or damaged cabinet fronts provides big visual impact at an affordable price. Carefully weigh your material options, get multiple quotes, and look for sales to keep your project within budget. With some smart planning and research, you can achieve the custom cabinet look you want at the right price point.