Replacing your outdated or damaged kitchen cabinet doors with new ones can completely transform the look of your kitchen. However, before undertaking this project you’ll want to understand the factors that influence the cost of new cabinet doors. Here is a comprehensive guide to how much new kitchen cabinet doors cost and what impacts the price.
Cost Factors
Several key factors determine how much you’ll pay for new kitchen cabinet doors:
Materials
The material used to construct the doors is the biggest contributor to cost. More durable and attractive materials like solid wood, plywood, and glass tend to be more expensive. Meanwhile, economy options like laminate and thermofoil doors have a lower price point.
- Solid Wood – Highest cost option, $100-$500 per door. Durable and can be painted or stained.
- Plywood – Moderate cost, $50-$200 per door. Made from layers of wood bonded together.
- Laminate – Lower cost, $20-$75 per door. Paper laminate coating over particle board or MDF.
- Thermofoil – Lowest cost, $15-$50 per door. Vinyl coating over MDF or particle board.
Door Style
Simple slab cabinet door styles tend to cost less than doors with more complex designs. Decorative door styles require more materials, manufacturing, and detailing, increasing the price.
- Slab – Least expensive, basic rectagular design.
- Shaker – Slightly more expensive, recessed center panel.
- Raised Panel – Moderate cost, detailed molded panels.
- Glass Insert – More expensive, window cutouts add cost.
- Arched/Decorative – Most expensive, intricate curved or custom shapes.
Door Size
Larger cabinet doors require more materials to construct and cost more per door. Standard sizes (15” x 30”) tend to be less expensive than custom oversized doors.
Quality/Brand
Higher end cabinet brands generally use better materials and manufacturing methods. Premium kitchen cabinet doors from brands like KraftMaid, Kemper, and Woodmont will have a higher price tag than value brands.
Customization
Fully customized cabinet doors tailored to your exact specifications will cost more than pre-fabricated stock doors. Unique sizes, materials, finishes, and detailing all increase the price.
Number of Doors
The total number of new doors you need for your kitchen will multiply the per door cost. Measure carefully when estimating the scope of your project.
Cost by Material
Here is a detailed breakdown of the typical price range for new kitchen cabinet doors by material type:
Solid Wood Cabinet Doors
Pros: Durable, repairable, high-end look
Cons: Most expensive option
Cost: $100 – $500 per door
Wood species like oak, cherry, maple and hickory are commonly used. The grade of wood and type of cut (quarter sawn vs rift cut) impacts price. Expect to pay $300 – $500 for premium solid wood doors.
Plywood Cabinet Doors
Pros: Attractive look, made from real wood veneers
Cons: Higher cost than laminate or thermofoil
Cost: $50 – $200 per door
Thicker plywood with more layers costs more. Hardwood veneers like oak or birch are pricier than softwood veneers like pine. Expect to pay $100 – $200 for good quality plywood cabinet doors.
Laminate Cabinet Doors
Pros: Affordable option, wide variety of laminate finishes
Cons: Prone to chipping/peeling over time
Cost: $20 – $75 per door
Printed laminate sheets applied over particle board or MDF keep cost down. Matte laminates cost less than realistic wood grain finishes. Expect to pay $20 – $50 for stock laminate cabinet doors.
Thermofoil Cabinet Doors
Pros: Most affordable option, very durable
Cons: Limited colors and styles
Cost: $15 – $50 per door
Thin vinyl film is vacuum sealed over MDF or particle board. Simple slab style thermofoil doors start around $20 each, while raised panel designs cost up to $50.
Cost by Door Style
The style and construction of the cabinet doors also influences cost:
Slab Cabinet Doors
Pros: Simple and affordable
Cons: Not as decorative
Cost: $20 – $100 per door
These flat, rectagular doors are the most basic and inexpensive style. They can be made from laminate, thermofoil, plywood or solid wood. Expect to pay $20 – $50 for laminate or thermofoil slab doors, or up to $100 for wood.
Shaker Cabinet Doors
Pros: Classic style, goes well with any kitchen
Cons: Slightly more expensive than slab
Cost: $50 – $150 per door
Shaker style doors have a recessed center panel with a frame around the border. The simple design works with any decor. Expect to pay between $50 – $150 per door, depending on materials.
Raised Panel Cabinet Doors
Pros: Elegant detailed design
Cons: Significantly more expensive than slab or shaker
Cost: $75 – $300 per door
These doors have a distinct molded design for a rich, expensive look. Be prepared to pay $250 – $300 for premium solid wood raised panel doors. Thermofoil or laminate options cost closer to $75 – $150 per door.
Glass Insert Cabinet Doors
Pros: Allows display of glassware or decor
Cons: Most expensive door option
Cost $100 – $500 per door
Doors with window cutouts for glass inserts tend to cost the most. The glass must be custom cut and fitted properly into the door, increasing labor and complexity. Expect to pay $250 – $500 for high-end wood doors with glass.
Arched or Decorative Cabinet Doors
Pros: Unique custom look
Cons: Expensive, limited style options
Cost: $150 – $500+ per door
For a truly custom look, arched or uniquely shaped doors add dramatic detail. The intricate designs require special molds and tools to produce, increasing the per door cost substantially.
What Impacts the Total Price?
When budgeting the total project cost, consider the following:
- Existing cabinet carcass – Are you keeping existing cabinet boxes? Only replacing doors is less expensive.
- Standard vs. custom sizing – Custom sizes may require a cabinet shop, raising the price.
- Number of doors – The total number of doors drives the overall budget.
- Accessories – Hinges, knobs and pulls will add cost. Refacing boxes may require new hinges.
- Installation – DIY replacement saves on labor, but can be tricky. Hiring a carpenter adds $50 – $100 per hour.
- Disposal fees – Removing old doors and clean up also adds slight cost.
Cost Saving Tips
If your budget is tight, consider these money saving options:
- Choose thermofoil or laminate over pricier wood options.
- Opt for simple slab style rather than intricate raised panel or glass insert doors.
- Use stock size doors rather than custom sizing.
- Install doors yourself rather than hiring a carpenter.
- Shop big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s for discounted prices.
- Replace doors over 2-3 phases to spread out costs.
How Much Do New Kitchen Cabinet Doors Cost?
In summary, you can expect to spend $20 – $500 per door for new kitchen cabinet doors, depending on the materials, style, size, quality, customization, and installation factors discussed. Thermofoil or laminate slab doors start around $20 – $50 per door, while premium solid wood doors with detailing can cost upwards of $300 – $500 each. Measure your kitchen carefully, understand your budget constraints, and shop around to get the best deal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some common questions about the cost of new kitchen cabinet doors:
How much do new cabinet doors cost for a 10×10 kitchen?
For a typical small 10×10 kitchen with about 15-20 cabinet doors, you can expect to pay $500 – $2,000 total for new doors, assuming mid-range options like plywood shaker or raised panel doors at $75 – $150 per door.
How much do custom cabinet doors cost?
For fully customized cabinet doors tailored to your exact specifications expect to pay $200 – $500+ per door. Unique sizes, premium materials like solid wood, custom finishes and detailing will drive up the price over stock cabinet door options.
Is it cheaper to just replace cabinet doors?
Yes, replacing just the doors is significantly less expensive than replacing entire cabinets. New doors cost about 50-70% less than new cabinet boxes and installation. Retaining your existing cabinet carcasses saves big on labor and construction costs.
Can I install new cabinet doors myself?
While challenging, you can install new cabinet doors yourself as a DIY project to save on labor costs. Watch tutorial videos to understand the process. Make sure to carefully measure existing cabinets. Have materials like new hinges on hand.
How do I get accurate measurements for cabinet doors?
Carefully measure the height, width, and depth of your existing cabinet openings and account for the door style thickness. For accuracy, remove old doors and bring them to the home improvement store for sizing help. Measure multiple spots as old cabinets may be irregular.
Is it worth painting vs replacing cabinet doors?
If cabinet boxes are in good shape, painting doors and hardware can provide an inexpensive face lift for $50 – $300 total. But for worn or damaged doors replacement is better. New doors offer more dramatic transformation but cost more, from $500 – $2,000.
Conclusion
The cost of replacing kitchen cabinet doors can range considerably based on the factors discussed here. But for most dated or damaged kitchens, new cabinet doors provide a big visual impact at a fraction of the cost of full cabinet replacement. Carefully measure your existing kitchen, evaluate your budget and style needs, shop around for the best deal on high quality doors, and enjoy the dramatics results of your upgraded kitchen!