Plastic Laminate, Rigid Thermofoils (RTF) and Wood Veneer finishes

Usually there are three basic finish options: plastic laminate, rigid thermofoils and wood veneer. The finish you choose will impact on the cost of your project, the durability of the final product and the esthetic appeal of the finished work.

Plastic Laminate

In terms of esthetics, Plastic Laminate comes in a wide variety of solid colors and wood-grain looks. However, plastic laminates lack malleability, which means they're limited to plain cabinet door styles when compared with RTF. Current production innovations have resulted in plastic laminates that are hard to distinguish from real wood by the average person from a distance, but the richness and luxury of real wood is inimitable when the material is inspected up close.

Wood Veneer

For the above mentioned reason, wood veneer remains a popular option, particularly in high-end kitchens. Refacing a kitchen with wood veneer will cost from 10 percent to 25 percent more than RTF and laminates, and it can be done in oak, maple, cherry, birch, walnut or almost any other wood a customer wants. Additional options feature a number of sealers and finishes including ultra violet inhibitors to protect the wood veneer from the effects of direct sunlight.

RTF

RTF is the least expensive of the three cabinet refacing options. Because of its malleability RTF can be shaped and molded to fit literally any door style. RTF is applied under immense pressure in a vacuum using heat and specially formulated adhesives, which makes it very durable. A wide array of colors and finishes are available, including natural wood finishes and painted surfaces.

Cabinet Refacing Costs

How much you pay for refacing cabinets depends on the size of your kitchen, the materials you choose and how many options you elect to include. Generally speaking, plastic laminates are slightly more expensive than RTF, and wood veneers are more expensive than both laminates and RTF. On average a cabinet refacing job would cost in the range of $1500 - $5000. Again, this is a ballpark estimate and the actual cost would vary depending on the number and state of your kitchen cabinets.