Making the right choices for your kitchen isn’t always easy. For instance, simply choosing a finish for your cabinets isn’t simple – it requires you to consider their cost, appearance, and durability.
They need to last, and that’s why making the right decision at this point is so important. Such considerations are necessary evils of the great paint versus stain debate.
Stain vs Paint Cabinets
Materials that lend themselves to painting (such as poplar, veneered plywood, or MDF) are typically used to create cabinets that will be pre-painted. They are generally preferred because they have a nice flat knot-free surface devoid of any heavy grain pattern.
Many cabinet manufacturers perform all of their inherent finishing work in-house. They may employ vast innovations such as an elaborate system of spray booths, ovens, and overhead drying lines. It is possible to finish hundreds of cabinets each day!
However, not all custom cabinet shops offer or even perform finishing services. Some are limited to a basic stain and a conversion wash, which you’ll usually find in a cabinet interior or as the finished surface of a stain-grade cabinet.
Therefore, when ordered painted cabinets, they often need to be outsourced to an individual finisher. Then, the cabinet is prepped for paint before the spraying or brushing begins.
{Picture Reference from DIY Network}
A painted cabinet ordered through a custom shop is often more expensive than a stain-grade, clear-coat finished cabinet. You can’t expect to pay a low price for a custom-painted cabinet – you get what you pay for!
Besides the color you want, you’ll need to consider other things, such as the paint type and its history or reputation for wearing and chipping. You’re likely concerned about whether it is water-resistant. If you are going the route of stock or semi-custom, it doesn’t hurt to ask what kind of paint they use and whether or not they offer options.
{Picture Reference from The Spruce}
Of course, to begin with, it helps to know a little about the paints that are typically applied to cabinets. There are oil—or water-based ones (some of which include alkyd resins to aid with curing), solid body conversion washes, etc.
To aid you in your decision, you may want to discuss the impacts of each option, such as potential off-gassing and general longevity.
You may learn that paint shops may not want to work with certain acrylics, like ones that contain zero volatile organic compounds, though they are a favorite of the ‘Green’ set. There seems to be debate about the durability of the environmentally friendly paint type.
However, a low VOC is believed to provide better results. Even now, companies are developing paints with lower VOCs, and the outcomes continue to improve.
Besides the paint itself, its application can be a factor that affects quality. It can be sprayed or back-brushed. A sprayed finish typically leaves a smooth, consistent surface but is difficult to touch up seamlessly when needed (especially if a brush is used).
In fact, inevitable touch-ups should be treated with care; you’ll want to have specifics such as the paint formulation and details.
If you originally asked for a brushed finish, any future touch-ups should blend satisfactorily. Even so, it is entirely possible for the color to change naturally, even substantially, over time. If this occurs, a new color match will be necessary for any potential touch-ups that may be required later.
{Picture Reference from Houzz}
So, let’s talk about wood finishes. Selecting a stain-grade wood for cabinets isn’t the end of the discussion. Factors vary on your personal inclinations and the shop you’re dealing with. You want to know exactly what you are getting before it is delivered.
There should be no surprises – everyone needs to be on the same page. It is not unreasonable to expect what you select in a showroom to be represented by what is sent to you.
You may decide to have the wood book matched. That means that the grain pattern is consecutive but flipped two at a time to mirror the grain, like pages in a book.
Of course, if budget is a primary concern, you can expect to pay less by planning less. Not everyone is extremely picky and hands-on, and that’s ok. Simply leave the potential for variations in color and grain open without any fuss.
The world of stain-grade cabinets isn’t perfect. The shops want to work with you. Larger companies will allow you to order a sample door front before tackling the entire project. Then, you can see what will be shipped and installed, although you should still expect minor differences.
A custom shop can also produce a sample door front and possibly even show you what will be attached to the plywood face as a complete piece of very thin wood veneer.
If so, it will allow you to gauge the wood grain and color chemistry better. You may ask for stain and finish samples, of course. Glossy, semi-gloss, and matte are clear finishes that you’ll want to look at, and maybe even those with UV protection.
It’s always best to have samples of your countertop and backsplash with you when making decisions and ordering. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Have everything in place to see how well it works together.
Choosing cabinet finishes is not an exact science, but you can get pretty darn close!
