What Type of Cabinet Finish Should You Use?
Trying to find the right finish for your kitchen cabinets and feeling somewhat overwhelmed? With multiple finish options available to you, finding the correct one can be daunting. Understanding your options and getting real feedback from others on what they like or don’t like about their cabinet finishes is always a great idea. There are multiple types of kitchen cabinet finishes. With wooden cabinets, you have the option to paint or stain, or with other options such as melamine or laminate, you can pick from various color options. We’ve walked through a variety of options to help you find the right choice for your kitchen remodel.
Stain
If you are planning on wooden cabinets, they can either be stained or painted. If you want to see the beauty of natural wood, staining it is your better option. If you like the look of natural wood, you will want to opt for a light finish that lets the natural color of the wood shine through. There is a vast variety of stains from light to very dark. The specific type of wood grain will make a difference in the outcome of the cabinet doors and drawers. Stained cabinets are typically very durable and can handle the extra wear a kitchen often endures.
Paint
Painted cabinets are a great choice for adding color and variety to any kitchen. There is an endless variety of paint colors to choose from, however white and gray are always popular choices. Greens and blues are also great options. Don’t forget that different types of paint are recommended for cabinets to help with the general wear and tear that they take. Keep reading for a brief overview of the different types of paint.
Matte paint dries flat and doesn’t have any shine to it. It isn’t typically as smooth of a surface as other paint, so dirt and grime may collect quicker, making it harder to clean. Semi-gloss paint dries shinier with a brighter look. It can also tend to show more dents and scratches. Satin paint has a bit more shine but is slightly flatter than semi-gloss paint. It’s typically more durable and holds up better under the heavily used environment of a kitchen. Enamel paint is the most durable, high-gloss paint. It dries hard with a smooth surface that is simple to clean and resistant to marring or scratching. Adding a polyurethane varnish as a topcoat will help prolong the life of your cabinets. Not every type of wood is suitable for a varnish, however, so it is important to check with your installer or a specialist.
A paint finish truly gives you the option to have any color under the sun in your kitchen space, however, they are prone to chipping and discoloration so keep in mind you might have to touch up or redo them more often.
Glaze
Applying a glaze over painted cabinets is an option for adding additional dimensions to the space. This is typically a more time-consuming process, so often pricier, but some people like the more rustic, somewhat traditional distressed cabinet look it provides.
Melamine, Lacquer & Laminate
Melamine, lacquer, and laminate are all types of finishes that are scratch-resistant and very durable. Melamine cabinets are made by heat-sealing thermally fused melamine resin to a hardwood substrate such as pressed wood, medium-density fiberboard, or plywood. Lacquer-finished cabinets are covered in a solvent-based paint that creates a rigid synthetic coating on surfaces. Laminate cabinets have a plywood, particle board, MDF, or HDF core covered in a thin, durable plastic laminate layer. This laminate layer can come in various colors or have a wood-like finish. For the most part, these types of finishes for kitchen cabinets are durable and stain-resistant. The only real drawback is that they can chip easily, and unfortunately, it is harder to repair a chip on these styles of cabinets.
What Will You Choose?
We hope this gives you some ideas of the options you have for your kitchen cabinet finishes. Picking out your cabinet finish is a great way to personalize your kitchen. With many kitchen design options out there, determining the overall style of your space is a great place to start. We always recommend getting professional opinions if you feel stuck or unclear about what to do with your cabinets by asking someone who knows their stuff. Kitchen cabinets, more than any other, get a lot of use so deciding how much upkeep and maintenance you want to put into them is also something to consider.