Cabinets are integral to any area. Not only are they great for storage and counter space, but they also give an area structure to build the rest of the room around. Because of their constant use, cabinets often need repairs over time and at some point even replacement. In the end, what determines whether you repair or replace those cabinets?
An advantage to repairing cabinets is that some things can be done yourself if you choose. Before doing anything yourself, though, you should consider your skill level and assess your level of comfort with making the changes. There are trained professionals that repair, reface, and replace cabinets for a living. If you feel that your skill level with your desired cabinet project is rather low, there are professionals you can hire to help.
Mold can sometimes play a factor in determining whether or not you should repair or replace your cabinets. If mold isn’t properly taken care of, it can eat away at wood and cause it to prematurely rot. Mold spores should be killed if you use a bleach and water solution. If you keep trying to kill the mold, it keeps growing back, and you are positive there is no leakage or unnecessary elements causing humidity issues, it might be time to call professionals and replace the whole cabinet. No price is too high to be living without a fungus that could potentially lead to health problems in your household.
Another reason you might decide to replace your cabinets is if you have water damage. With water damage, there are a couple things to consider: what kind of water did the damage and how bad the damage is. There are a few different types of water. One of them is clean or white water, which can come from rain or condensation. With this kind of water, you probably won’t have to worry about bacteria festering, and you have the option to replace the damaged spot yourself. Another type of water is gray water. Gray water comes from washing machines and dishwashers. It’s considered gray because while it has come into contact with things like hair, soap, food, etc., it hasn’t come into contact with anything like feces. That being said, if your cabinet has water damage from gray water, it might be harder to simply repair because of the contaminants. Also, because the water isn’t completely clean, it can lead to a bad smell. The last water type is black water, which comes from sewage or water infested with waste. If this kind of water has led to your water damage issue, you should not only immediately replace those cabinets but also, without a doubt, hire a professional to do it for you. This kind of water can carry serious bacteria and contaminants that, if not handled the correct way, can lead to serious health issues.
Price is a large factor when thinking about making significant changes. If you are looking into hiring a professional to install new cabinets, this can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. Something to consider if your reasons for wanting to replace your cabinets are mainly for aesthetics is to reface them. While not nearly as inexpensive as just painting the cabinets or making small repairs, it will probably only cost you half as much as fully replacing the cabinets. As long as the structure of your cabinets is intact, you should be able to reface them without issue. Refacing is a great option for those who want to change the style of the room. On the other hand, though, if the layout or bones of the cabinets are in desperate need of repair, it might not be worth it to save a little bit of money now when you could make those changes by getting more functional and durable cabinets.
A sign for repair could be broken handles, chips in the wood, nicks in the paint, or a loose hinge. If these things were to be repaired, the cabinets would be as good as new. For things like broken handles, while you could repair it, a new handle can do a lot for a space. So, if you’ve had those handles for years and one ends up getting loose, perhaps now is the time to switch out the old for the new and give the space a little update. For chips in the wood or nicks in the paint, wood putty and a new coat of paint can do wonders. Similar to the handles, if your cabinets are covered in nicks and dings, it might be a sign to not only repair those but also maybe go for a different color. In terms of a loose hinge, there is an obvious answer: tighten the screws. However, if the reason the screws aren’t holding well enough is because the wood is starting to deteriorate, then perhaps looking into replacing the cabinet might not be such a bad idea.
Some main takeaways are that if you have problems with the structure of your cabinets or want to change the overall layout of that room, you should consider replacing them. It would definitely be an investment, as replacing cabinetry is not cheap, but the rewards could be worth it. Not only would newer and sturdier cabinets be more functional for the room long-term, but it could also be attractive to potential buyers if you are thinking about selling your home in the near future. In contrast, as long as the bones of your cabinets are fine, it might be a better move to reface the cabinets to give them a fresh look without breaking the bank. If you love the overall look of your pre-existing cabinets just the way they are, making smaller repairs like fixing chips in the wood or replacing broken handles can be done fairly easily and can truly do a lot to update a space. 
Caroline Murkey
Home & Yard Magazine
