Kitchen cabinet refinishing
If your cabinets are solid but the finish is tired, you don’t need new ones. We strip, repair and refinish your existing doors, drawer fronts and frames to a hard, even finish that makes the whole kitchen look new.
Design
Build
Refinishing is only as good as the preparation underneath it. Paint over grease, old varnish or loose edges and it peels within a year. Done properly, with every surface cleaned, sanded, repaired and sealed, a refinished kitchen looks and wears like new at a fraction of the cost of replacement.
The first question is whether you want to paint or restain. Painting changes the colour completely and hides worn or mismatched wood. Restaining keeps the natural grain and suits solid wood cabinets in good condition. Both start from your existing cabinets and keep your layout exactly as it is.
Most people know the look they want, and we can tell quickly whether the cabinets can deliver it. We’ll inspect them at the free consultation and tell you honestly whether refinishing, refacing or replacement is the better investment.
What each actually requires
Painted refinish
- Doors and drawer fronts removed and finished off site
- Frames and boxes cleaned, sanded, primed and painted
- Dents, gouges and old hardware holes filled and repaired
- Best for dated, worn or mismatched cabinets
- Any colour, with a hard-wearing catalysed finish
Stain and clear coat
- Existing finish stripped or sanded back to bare wood
- Real grain stays visible, with new colour and a protective top coat
- Best for solid wood or quality veneer in good condition
- Needs sound wood, as stain shows every flaw
- A warmer, more natural look than paint
What survives a bathroom
Finishes and Details
Preparation: this is where refinishing is won or lost. We degrease, sand and prime every surface, because kitchens collect cooking oil that stops new finishes from bonding.
Finish: we use a durable catalysed topcoat, not wall paint, so it resists scuffs, moisture and daily cleaning. Matte, satin and semi-gloss are available, and we can match most paint colours you bring in.
Doors and drawer fronts: removed and finished in our shop, not sprayed in place, so the surface cures flat and clean. Frames and boxes are finished in your home with masking and dust control.
Hardware: new hinges and pulls change how the kitchen feels. We can fill and re-drill for new pulls, and soft-close hinges can be added where the doors allow.
Repairs and upgrades: loose joints, chipped edges and sagging hinges are fixed before finishing. Refinishing is also a good time to add crown moulding, light rail or finished end panels.
Surfaces, Condition and the Things We Check First
Before quoting anything we inspect your existing cabinets. We look for water damage, swollen panels, peeling thermofoil, loose frames and heavy grease build-up, especially around the stove and sink. If the boxes are failing, refinishing is not the answer, and we’ll say so.
The material decides what’s possible. Solid wood and MDF refinish well. Thermofoil that is peeling or bubbling usually can’t be saved, and laminate needs special primers. We identify what you have before promising a result.
Your layout stays as it is, so refinishing doesn’t fix a wasted corner, a pantry that’s too shallow or too little storage. If you want to change the layout, replacement is usually the better investment, and we’ll show you both options.
Moisture is worth a thought in any Calgary kitchen. A sink base with water damage can often be repaired or replaced while the rest of the kitchen is refinished.
If the kitchen is part of a larger renovation, planning the refinishing alongside new flooring, countertops and lighting generally looks better and costs less than treating them as separate projects.
Pricing Plan
Chose best plan to upgrade your kitchens and closets
Basic
$
45
/Once
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Premium
$
93
/Once
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Standard
$
55
/Once
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FAQs
Refinishing, answered
It depends on the number of doors and drawers, the condition of the cabinets, the finish and any repairs or upgrades. Refinishing usually costs noticeably less than refacing or replacement, since you keep your existing doors and boxes. We measure for free and give you one itemised quote with nothing hidden.
Typically several weeks from approved design to installation, depending on scope and our shop schedule. Because we build locally, we’re not waiting on overseas shipments. We’ll give you a clear timeline when we quote.
Sometimes, yes. If your layout stays the same and the countertop is in good condition, we can often work around it. If cabinet depth or sink position changes, a new top is usually the better call. We’ll tell you honestly during the consultation.
If your layout works and the boxes are solid, refacing saves money and mess. If you want to change the layout, fix sagging or water-damaged boxes, or add storage, replacement is the better investment.
We coordinate with licensed trades for plumbing, gas and electrical so everything lines up on install day. We handle the cabinetry and make sure the cutouts, panels and clearances are right.
Every kitchen is backed by a written warranty. We also come back after the house settles to adjust doors and drawers at no charge.
