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Pros & Cons of Painting Cabinets

The finish you choose for your cabinets drastically impacts your kitchen’s overall appearance. That’s why choosing whether or not to paint your cabinets is a bigger decision than many people realize. It’s important to think through all the aspects, from your visual preference to future maintenance. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of painting cabinets.

Pro: You Have More Color Choice When Painting Cabinets

In comparison to staining, you have more color choice when painting cabinets. In fact, it’s usually possible to match any color you wish, so the sky is the limit when it comes to painting custom cabinets. And even if you stick to a company’s normal list of colors, there’s typically plenty of variety for most homeowners. Whether you are purchasing new cabinets or refinishing older cabinets, Edgewood Cabinetry is happy to work with you to bring your vision to life in any color you choose.

Con: It’s Often Difficult to Touch Up Painted Cabinets

Although painting cabinets gives you more color variety than staining them, it’s important to consider the upkeep you need in the future. For instance, if your toddler learns to decorate with permanent marker, your dog scratches a cabinet door, or you accidentally chip the paint, it’s often difficult to DIY the repair. You may not remember the particular shade of paint you need. Plus, you may have to purchase a far larger quantity of paint than you need. Additionally, because cabinet makers often spray paint on for an even finish, you can’t easily achieve the same results at home.

Pro: Painting Gives a Clean, Smooth Finish

If you want your cabinets to look smooth and sleek, painting them is the way to go. Since paint sticks to the surface of the wood, rather than sinking into the woodgrain, it’s the best choice if you want a clean finish. So, if you want your eye to travel smoothly along your kitchen instead of up and down the woodgrain of your cabinets, painting them gives you the aesthetic you’re looking for. There are also a variety of finishes within paint itself, so whether you want glossy modern cabinets or a more muted European-style finish, there’s a paint to match.

Con: Certain Species of Wood Work Better When Painting Cabinets

Although painting cabinets allows a smooth finish, it only works with certain species of wood. For example, maple and birch are a dream to paint. They offer smooth, nonporous surfaces that hold paint well and don’t show the woodgrain. On the other hand, oak has a prominent grain that shows through paint. And while pine wood is smooth, it often contains visible knots. However, if you want to refinish and paint old cabinets, we have methods to improve the appearance of any wood species.

Pro or Con: Painting Cabinets Hides Unique Features

Painting your cabinets hides, or at least mutes, unique features of the wood. For example, imperfections, like knots and wormholes, and the woodgrain itself either aren’t visible or are more difficult to see. So, depending on your preference, that’s either a pro or a con of painting cabinets. If you prefer smooth, unblemished surfaces, it’s a definite pro. On the other hand, if you enjoy the charm of natural woodgrain, staining your cabinets is a better choice.

Let Edgewood Cabinetry Take the Hassle Out of Painting Cabinets

Painted cabinets are beautiful, but painting them yourself can be a headache. Instead, let Edgewood Cabinetry take the hassle out of painting your cabinets. Whether you are interested in purchasing custom cabinets or want to refinish your existing cabinets, we can help. We sit down with you to discuss your vision. Then, we work to make it a reality. And with decades of experience, we know how to get the results right. Contact us today to discuss your project.

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choosing colors
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Cabinet Paints, Stains, and Finishes: 5 Things to Know

You’ve made the decision to get custom cabinets, and you couldn’t be more excited. But it’s so hard to decide between colors and finishes! Should you choose that divine blue paint color you saw? Or would your kitchen look better with an elegant cherry wood stain? Then again, an antique finish through glazing could be amazing, too. So how do you decide? Here are five things to know about cabinet paints, stains, and finishes.

1. Paints Allow You to Choose Any Color

Out of all the options for finishing your cabinets, paints give you the biggest variety of choices. That means you can base your kitchen design on your cabinets or match your cabinets to your existing decor. Plus, it’s possible to match virtually any color, so you have a nearly unlimited array of choices. Whether you want a nice, neutral gray, modern white, or bold red, it’s easy to get the cabinets of your dreams. Remember, the final appearance of your cabinets will depend on the species of wood you choose. For instance, maple has a smooth finish when painted, while the wood grain on oak remains visible, highlighting its texture.

2. Wood Stains Accent the Natural Wood Grain

Wood stains accent your cabinet’s natural wood grain. They come in many colors and soak into the wood, so you never need to worry about chipping or peeling. It’s typical to choose natural wood colors, such as cherry, maple, or walnut for a gorgeous finish. At Edgewood Cabinetry, we have a wide variety of beautiful stain colors available, and we always stay on top of the latest trends. So whether you want a traditional reddish-brown cherry wood stain or an elegant weathered gray wood stain, we have a stain to match.

3. Glazes Create Complexity

Glazes create complexity and add character to your finished look. If you love rustic or antique cabinet styles, glazes are perfect for you. They are applied, then hand rubbed to give your cabinets the desired appearance. Glazes are also perfect for highlighting ornate details on your cabinets. Because of the labor-intensive process involved in hand-rubbed glazes, they are often more expensive, but they create a stunning finish.

4. Natural Finishes Are Perfect if You Love the Look of Natural Woodgrain

Do you love the way natural woodgrain looks, all on its own? Then, natural finishes are perfect for you. Natural finishes are achieved simply by applying oil or a protective coating to the wood. This allows the natural woodgrain to shine through in all its beauty. Wood can be sanded for a clean, smooth finish. Or leave features like knots and wormholes in the wood to show off its unique character.

5. There Are a Variety of Protective Finishes to Choose From

Cabinets typically have some sort of protective finish on them. This helps them last longer and ward off damage from things like humidity or scratches. Depending on the finish you choose, the protective coating may also add a beautiful sheen or gloss to your cabinets. Some common protective finishes include varnish, lacquer, and polyurethane. We can help you choose the best protective finish for your cabinets. That way, your cabinets look exactly how you want them.

6. Refinishing Gives Your Old Cabinets New Life

New custom cabinets are always nice. But if you have older wood cabinets that are still structurally sound, refinishing may be a good option for you. After all, older cabinets often have fine craftsmanship and historic charm. Plus, refinishing is an economical and environmentally friendly choice, too. With a little work, a new coat of stain or paint, and a protective finish, your old cabinets will have a fresh new look and continue to serve you well for years to come.

At Edgewood Cabinetry, we offer a wide selection of cabinet paints, stains, and finishes so you can get exactly the look you want. Plus, we make sure you’re satisfied at every step of the process. Contact us here to begin your next custom cabinet project.

 

 

 

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7 Things To Consider Before Painting Your Cabinets

7 Things To Consider Before Painting Your Cabinets

Ready to give your cabinets a major facelift? Painting your cabinets helps transform your kitchen and breathes new life into faded cabinets.

As with most projects, it’s not quite as simple as just grabbing some paint and a brush. If you want the finished cabinets to look amazing, there are some important things to consider.

A little preparation before you start painting ensures your cabinets look as great or even better than you imagined.

1. How Long The Project Takes

Even with quick drying paint, you’re still looking at least a full weekend when it comes to painting your cabinets. For most, set aside three days to a week to complete the project. This gives you time to prepare the cabinets, paint them, let them dry, and reassemble everything.

In the meantime, make arrangements for where you’ll store everything that’s in your cabinets and how or if you’ll use the kitchen during the process. This might be a great week for just eating out.

2. Take Everything Apart

The next thing to do is take everything apart. You might want to hurry things along and just paint over the hinges or try to tape over them. However, it’s much easier to just take the doors off of the cabinets. Remove all hardware. Painting over hinges just leads to flaking and stuck hinges.

To make life easier, label everything so you know where it goes. You can work on painting your cabinets one section at a time to avoid getting overwhelmed. This is also a great time to declutter your kitchen.

3.Clean Cabinets Thoroughly

A common reason paint doesn’t stick well to cabinets is they’re not clean when you start. This can lead to discolored spots, fading, chipping and other annoying issues. It’s always best to start with a clean slate to remove any grease, dirt and lint that might be on your cabinets. Take time to thoroughly clean your cabinets.

If there’s a layer of paint already there, you’ll need to strip the paint. Make sure you remove all the paint before repainting. Otherwise, the old paint can flake, taking your new paint with it.

4. Smooth Out Rough Spots

While you might not even be able to see it, your cabinets likely have some rough spots. It could be a small scratch on the bottom of a door or a rough area at the edge of the door where you open and close it. Paint needs a smooth surface to apply and dry evenly.

Sand your cabinets lightly to remove rough spots. For scratches and chips, use wood filler to smooth them out. This prevents darker areas on your cabinets when you paint.

5. Priming The Wood For Paint

When painting your cabinets, you’ll need to start by priming the wood first. Custom cabinets typically use real wood, especially for the doors. Pre-fabricated cabinets might use particle board or something similar. Pick a primer that’s made for your type of cabinet.

Primer creates a better surface for the paint, making it last much longer. You can save time and money by choosing a paint that has primer built-in. Pay attention to any special instructions when applying primer or using a primer/paint mix.

6. Choose A Quality Paint

The single most important thing to consider when painting your cabinets is choosing a quality paint. Don’t just grab the cheapest bucket you can find. Talk with a paint expert at your local hardware or paint supply store. See what they recommend and what customers like best. You can also research brands online first to see what brands and types hold up the longest.

Choosing a cheap, low-quality paint means you’ll need repaint sooner rather than later. You’re also more likely to end up with streaks. Cheaper paints might also have a stronger odor, making it more difficult to paint your cabinets.

7. Avoiding Brush Strokes

Typically, you’d just grab a brush, dip in the paint and start painting. But, if you don’t use the right type of brush, you could end up with noticeable brush strokes. This just ruins all your hard work. Instead, opt for an angular brush and foam roller. Fusion Mineral Paint and Pro Paint Corner both have great guides to avoid brush strokes.

Want custom cabinets that are already painted and ready to install? Contact Edgewood Cabinetry today to get your cabinet project started. 

Image: Roselyn Tirado

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Colors That Date A Kitchen

Colors That Date A Kitchen – What To Avoid

Have you ever walked in a kitchen and just thought that it looked old, and not in a trendy vintage way either? If so, the reason could be due to using colors that date a kitchen.

That’s right. The colors you choose to use could be making your kitchen look old, even if it’s newly remodeled.

If you want to avoid this look, there are several colors you might want to think twice about using. This includes on your walls, for appliances and kitchen cabinets.

Anything Temporarily Trendy

Trends come and go, with an emphasis on “go.” Some trends will stand the test of time, but if the latest kitchen remodeling trend is to paint your cabinets fuschia, it’s probably better to skip it. Many colors that a date a kitchen come from trends. As soon as the trend fades away, anyone who sees your kitchen knows exactly how old it is.

That being said, if you absolutely love the trend, even after it’s been over for decades, then keep those colors. After all, it’s your kitchen and if it makes you happy, stick with it.

Stark White

White may not seem like one of the colors that date a kitchen, but it’s actually a color that decreases the value of your home. In fact, experts found it decreased the value of a home by $1,400 because it seemed too difficult to clean.

Of course, this is part of the reason why it dates your kitchen. It goes back to a time when either a parent stayed home and cleaned all day or you had a maid to help out. Now, you want something easier to clean than white. While it can brighten the room, maybe go with an off-white or at least add some type of colorful trim and some wood-tone cabinets to get away from an everything white type of kitchen.

Dark Woods

Dark cherry looks great, but it’s not the best color for your kitchen. Instead of a nice place to cook and eat, it feels more like a dark office. Dark and red-toned woods are best left for furniture, such as a dining room table and chairs, versus all your kitchen cabinets.

If you do want to use darker woods, use them in moderation. Too much makes your entire kitchen look dim and drab.

Pink Hues

Pink hues are definitely among the colors that date a kitchen. In the 1950s, pink dominated when it came to bathrooms, kitchens and even living areas. Sadly, we’re not living in the area of the Pink Ladies anymore. All that pink just makes your kitchen look well over 50 years old.

If you still love pink, you don’t have to give it up. Instead, use it as an accent color. It can be part of a backsplash or a pattern on your walls.

Burnt Umber

If you were around in the 1970s, you may very well have had a burnt umber kitchen. This earthy tone just screams dated and old. Even though retro colors might be reappearing in kitchen appliances, it doesn’t mean your entire kitchen theme needs to use colors from the 60s and 70s. Let’s face it, burnt umber wasn’t even a great color back then.

Tuscan Colors

If you’ve ever dined at an Olive Garden, you know this look. It’s filled with colors that date a kitchen. Odd shades of off-white and cream, darker browns and even hints of green show that your kitchen hasn’t had a makeover in a long time. While you can pull off a Tuscan theme, it’s not easy. In the end, it looks more cheesy than anything else.

Rules To Remember

First of all, remember it’s your kitchen and as long as you’re happy with the style and colors, that’s all that matters. However, if you want to avoid a dated look, there are a few things to keep in mind, such as:

  • Stick with more neutral, natural tones for the overall color
  • Leave bright, bold colors for accents
  • Don’t do anything just because it’s trendy
  • Stick with colors you’ll enjoy for years

Also, try to go with timeless colors, such as lighter shades of brown and gray. Yellow is also a popular color that gives a timeless feel.

Interested in remodeling your kitchen and giving it a fresh, yet timeless look? Start by contacting Edgewood Cabinetry today!

Image: Oleksandr Kurchev

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Painted Or Stained

Painted Or Stained? Which Is Best For Your Cabinets

Painted or stained is the usual choice when adding new cabinets to your home. Of course, you can go with unfinished, but most people go with some form of finish.

With stained, you keep more of a natural wood look, but painted cabinets give you more variety of color. So, which is actually best?

While there isn’t a definitive answer, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of both. In the end, it all depends on the look you want in your kitchen, bathroom or other rooms.

Flawless Or Flawed

If you want a more flawless finish, painted cabinets might be the way to go. Paint covers up the knots and blemishes in wood. Plus, if you want a clean, bright look, choosing a white shade of paint gives you an airy, classic that’s easy to decorate.

On the other hand, if you want to showcase the natural wood grain, you’ll want to choose stained cabinets instead. The stain adds color without hiding the wood itself.

Costs

For some, this may be the deciding factor between painted or stained cabinets. For instance, on KompareIt, having cabinets professionally painted costs $2,000 to $5,000. There’s more labor involved and you’ll need at least several coats. Plus, paint itself is more expensive.

Staining costs between $1,500 and $4,000. Naturally, both cost less if the painting or staining is done while your cabinets are being built.

Colorful Or Natural

This is usually the main deciding factor between painted or stained cabinets. Do you want a colorful kitchen or a more natural wood finish? As HGTV states, you have endless options for painting cabinets. Go as a timeless or as personal as you want. With staining, you’re limited to clear, light, medium and dark wood tone shades.

Fixing Knicks

One thing you should consider is how difficult knicks are to fix. No matter how careful you are, you’re going to knick the finish on your cabinets at some point. You don’t want to have to completely re-do your cabinets to fix the problem.

With painted cabinets, it’s a little more difficult because you’ll have to find the right shade. For white cabinets, this isn’t too much of an issue. For other colors, getting the perfect shade can be tricky. Plus, you have to ensure the patch is the same thickness to avoid a dimpled effect.

For stained cabinets, stain or wood colored markers allow you to quickly fix any knicks in the finish. Since the marker absorbs into the paint, much like stain, it tends to blend better for a more flawless fix.

Another thing to keep in mind is paint will gradually start to chip. It’s not a matter of if, but when. When done right, painted cabinets can last 10 years or more before they need to be refinished. Stained cabinets keep their color, but may lose their luster over time.

Changing Your Mind

Before you make any final decisions, think about how long you plan to keep your cabinets the way they are. If you want to change your look every few years, you’ll want to choose painted cabinets. It’s much easier to remove the paint and start over with a new color.

With stain, the color is actually absorbed into the wood itself. Your only option is to go darker if you want to change the color. Even sanding the cabinets won’t completely remove the stain color. Think of stain as a more permanent option.

Hiding Dust

Finally, consider how often you want to clean your cabinets. For this one, it’s not so much a matter of painted or stained. It’s about how light or dark you go. Darker paints and stains show dust much more. Lighter colors still get dusty, but the dust blends in more. No matter what type of finish you choose, consider how the color works with your room. You’ll likely have the look for years to come.

Still trying to choose between painted or stained cabinets? Contact our friendly team today to find out which works best for your needs.

Image: Charles Deluvio

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Edgewood Cabinetry-Gray Vanity

Fifty Shades of Gray: Finding the Right Color Hue for Your Cabinets

While there’s an overly popular book and future movie called 50 Shades of Gray, it’s an easy metaphorical title for the wide palette of colors possible on kitchen cabinets.

But though you have multiple colors beyond just grey, the latter color can do you a lot of good in certain situations. Being judicious is the key in choosing the right color for cabinets. Even though colors are easily changeable over time, it’s important to put the color you choose in the proper context with everything else in your kitchen or other room.

What should you do first before choosing a favorite color you’ve always wanted? You may find out a different color would work better from what you intended.

Examining Other Colors Around Your Kitchen or Room

You may not have paid attention to the other colors in your kitchen lately, but it’s important you do so you match them with your cabinet color. The general rule is that if you have overly bright colors in your kitchen, it’s not a good idea to make your cabinets the same color. After all, the kitchen is usually the most used room in your house, and guests will see those colors on a regular basis. Having mismatched or overly busy colors may annoy your guests so much; they may not want to spend time there with you.

When you have bright colors elsewhere, neutral colors work the best for cabinets. And it’s here where grey is a perfect color for balance and making a room look larger. Many people mix similar tones with grey to experiment with different hues. Beige, in particular, creates an excellent gray shade that offsets brighter colors.

White is also popular in making a room look brighter and less claustrophobic. This is essential if you use darker colors in the other parts of the room, or if you don’t have a lot of windows for natural light.

Proper Colors for Larger Spaces

Darker colors on cabinets are usually best for larger kitchens and rooms. It’s still amazing that colors affect us so much psychologically, yet darker colors make smaller rooms look even smaller. This perception is again amended by using neutral colors.
We have many customers who prefer the neutrals when it comes to cabinet colors. However, we’ll provide whatever you prefer, even if you want something bright and exotic. Color combinations are very common, and we’ll work with you if you want a two-toned color on your cabinets. It’s easy to compromise on bright and neutral colors by combining them.

Contact us this winter here at Edgewood Cabinetry and we’ll work with you on building cabinets for you, plus finding the right color that suits your entire family.

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