I have Refaced 326kitchens since 1981.The new thermofoilWood grained doors simulate exotic Wood grains and are available in five piece Raised Panel Doors and Drawer Fronts.Most Cabinet Makers have to look very close to tell the difference between Thermofoil and real Wood . Never needs refinishing and is Moisture resistant and not affected by UV Rays.
thermo foil is terrible ive repaired 326 kitchens sounds like someone is trying to sell thermal foil
I don’t do either. If the kitchen is old enough to have the cabinets updated, it is generally worth the investment to purchase new cabinets. Not only do you gain the look that you want from the cabinet faces, you also benefit from the many advancements in cabinetry since the last installation. Often new homes are built with blind corners, limited shelves, and poor designs. New cabinets will cost more but offer a greater value.
If you like the door style you have, painting is an excellent, cost-effective way to conserve natural resources. And unlike thermofoil, you can touch up any scratches, dings etc easily or change the look entirely again in 5 years by changing paint color…
The budget for the project is the key factor in make that choice. As long as painting the cabinets isn’t a painter with a roller and a brush, that’s just throwing money away. The next couple of questions are: Are the doors and drawers in good enough condition to warrant refinishing?
Do you need to replace hardware (hinges/drawer slides)?
How long will the finish last?
Once questions like these are answered you can make a informed decision on which is better.