How Long Your Cabinets Should Last Before You Need To Replace Them (2024)

FAQs

How Long Your Cabinets Should Last Before You Need To Replace Them? ›

But, wood can be vulnerable to water damage or warping depending on the environment in which they're placed. Properly maintained wood cabinets can last up to 20 years before needing replacement; however if not well cared for they may need replacing sooner than that.

However, frequent use can decrease their lifespan. Most people use their kitchen cabinets frequently, so consider replacing them every ten years. If you're deciding whether your kitchen cabinets need to be replaced, think about whether you plan to complete kitchen remodeling.

However, how do we know whether they are high quality or not? Good quality kitchen cabinets can look great and last a long time. Even 20-30 years is a realistic expectation.

High-quality, pre-assembled kitchen units can last up to 50 years thanks to their durable construction, making them one of the longest-lasting components in a kitchen. Overall, a good quality kitchen should last well over 20 years, allowing you to enjoy its appearance and function without needing a full replacement.

The warranty of a kitchen will vary between suppliers and can run anywhere from 5 to 25 years. In general, more expensive or custom cabinets will have a longer warranty.

Your average cabinet, no matter where it is in the house, should last 20 years or so. Kitchen cabinets last about 20 years too. This is because their construction and materials have gotten better. Painted cabinets, even outside of kitchens, last about a year before the paint starts peeling.

High-quality cabinets can last up to 50 years!

Did you know that top-quality cabinets can last for up to 50 years? If you pair them with marble countertops which last 20 years or natural stone which lasts a lifetime, your kitchen may just outlast everything else in your home!

Solid woods such as oak and hickory provide ample strength, resist denting and nicking, and can withstand moisture without warping; furthermore, they can be stained or painted to suit any design aesthetic. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is another durable choice, though not as strong as solid wood.

For most people, this easily exceeds the budget set for the kitchen remodel in the first place without even thinking about countertops or new floors. Don't replace old cabinets, renovate them instead! According to Home Advisor, cabinets make the kitchen's first impression.

Refrigerators. Among all of the home appliances your kitchen can have, a refrigerator is the one with the longest lifespan, says Ben Fisher, a real estate agent in Park City, Utah. It can last an average of 13 to 14 years, but a well-maintained one can last as long as 17 to 18 years, he says.

What time of year is best to buy kitchen cabinets? ›

Black Friday/Cyber Monday: If waiting around is not your thing, opt to shop online on Cyber Monday. Holiday sales are the perfect time to shop for home upgrades. Christmas Sales: In the weeks before Christmas, there will be a high chance of finding some kitchen cabinets prices will be discounted.

"Replacing your cabinets is a huge cost that is not completely necessary if the cabinets are less than ten years old and made from a high-quality wood like cherry, maple, ash, hickory, or oak," Ballard says. Refinishing these hardy cabinets, instead of replacing them, can both conserve wood and money.

On average, kitchen cabinet installation will be completed between 2-3 days. Depending on the size of the home and extent of customization being done, larger kitchens may require an additional 1-2 days.

Estimates have shown that refinishing cabinets costs about 2/3 the cost of refacing, and refacing costs about 70 to 80 percent the cost of installing replacement cabinets.

According to Remodeling Magazine's 2022 Cost vs. Value Report, kitchen remodels have a national average ROI between 52.5% and 71.2%. Generally, larger and more extensive remodels project see lower returns than smaller projects.