Given how much traffic the kitchen sees, the cabinet doors are likely to see a significant amount of wear and tear.

Your kitchen cabinets play a key role in ensuring your kitchen looks as gorgeous as it did on the day after construction was completed. Kitchen cabinet doors can become damaged quicker than the rest of the cabinets. If your doors have been damaged, you have several options available to you, including repairing the cabinets completely. If the rest of the cabinet is still useful, it makes no sense to go down this route. Instead, you should consider looking for replacement cabinet doors. The cost of replacing cabinet doors will depend on several factors, including the size of the doors and the materials you use. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere between $60 and $500 for a new cabinet door. That said, it is important to remember that this is the more affordable option over replacing your kitchen cabinetry completely. Replacing your cabinets can set your back anywhere from $2,800 to $15,000 and up – without accounting for installation costs. If you are considering commissioning custom cabinets, you can expect to pay about $100 per hour for a good cabinet maker.

Can you buy just the doors for kitchen cabinets?

One concern many homeowners have when considering replacing their doors and drawer fronts is that they will not be able to find suppliers that only sell cabinet parts, as opposed to complete cabinets.

While it is true that not all suppliers sell cabinet parts, it is possible to find ones that sell doors and drawer fronts. Additionally, you will also be able to find a cabinet maker or installer who will be willing to install your new cabinet doors for you if you are not confident of doing so yourself. A tradie or cabinet maker will also be able to match the new doors to a range of timber kitchen benchtops.

Replacement cabinet doors are based on the size of your existing cabinets and cabinet doors,and you may be required to measure the doors and drawer fronts to ensure that you have a perfectly fitting door replacement. A tradie should be able to handle this task for you if you are unsure about how to proceed.

Is it cheaper to replace cabinet doors or resurface them?

Replacing cabinet doors is exactly what it sounds like – switching out your existing, damaged doors for new ones. Resurfacing involves changing the “skin” of the cabinet doors to make them look better.

If you are resurfacing your cabinets as a whole, one major step you will take will be replacing your cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Resurfacing just the cabinet doors involves replacing the veneer and hinges and making the doors look more attractive to visitors. If you are considering a whole kitchen refresh, take a look at our cost guide to resurfacing your kitchen.

One of the major concerns with resurfacing is that only a few professional businesses offer cabinet resurfacing services, and even fewer offer door resurfacing services. While it is possible to do it yourself, there are techniques and tools you will not have access to as a non-professional, and the final result will suffer.

If you can find a business that can meet your resurfacing needs, you will likely find that resurfacing is the more budget-friendly option. In fact, you can expect to save 40 to 50% by choosing it over replacement.

Not all cabinet doors qualify for resurfacing. If the doors have suffered significant damage, they will need to be replaced.

What materials are kitchen cabinet doors usually made of?

When considering kitchen cabinet doors, it’s usually best to match your new doors with the material used for the rest of your cabinets. Some of the options available to consider include the below.

Hardwood

One of the most popular materials for cabinets and cabinet doors. Each hardwood panel is unique from the other, as the trees the wood is harvested from will vary slightly in terms of colour, texture, and grain pattern. Additionally, this material is highly durable and easy to repair. take a look at our handy price guide for anyone considering timber kitchen doors.

Plywood

Unlike hardwood, this material retains moisture, resulting in it being considered the best option for cabinet materials.

Particleboard

A highly affordable material, quality particleboard is sturdy and durable. Additionally, it is lightweight and easy to work with if you’re looking for custom cabinet and door options.

Medium density fibreboard

Also known as MDF, this material is strong, durable, and resistant to the warping that results from moisture and temperature changes. Additionally, the smooth surface means you can easily paint or stain it to meet your requirements.

How long does it take to replace kitchen cabinet doors?

One major factor to consider if you are looking to replace your kitchen cabinet doors is the replacement timeline. After all, depending on the number of cabinet door replacements required, there is a good chance that you will not be able to use your kitchen until replacements are complete. There are several factors that can influence the timeline, including:

Scope

How many kitchen cabinets do you have and how many doors need to be replaced? How long will it take for you to acquire all the doors? Will the remodel have to be completed in parts depending on when the doors reach you (or the professional you have contracted)?

Specialty items

Are there any special features that need to be considered? Are you choosing custom doors that may take longer to install?

Change requests

If you have any changes after installation is complete, the replacement schedule will likely be extended.

You will also have to consider how intensive the removal of the existing doors will be, as that will play a part in determining when your door replacement will be complete. On average, installing new cabinets takes two to three days. If you are only looking for door installation, you should have your kitchen ready in significantly less time. Make sure to check for an accurate timeline from your installation professional.