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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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eco-friendly kitchen cabinets

8 Eco-Friendly Design Options to Consider as Part of Your Kitchen Designs

As we learn more about the impact of human behavior on the earth, more and more homeowners are searching for eco-friendly alternatives to mass-produced building materials. Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can be more eco-conscious when designing your kitchen. Try these eight eco-friendly design options to consider as part of your kitchen designs.

1. Reclaimed and Re-used Materials

It’s no secret that our country generates a lot of waste. So. Much. Waste. While we love to keep our kitchen styles up to date, remodeling isn’t always eco-friendly. Thankfully, you can update your style while reducing your environmental footprint by using reclaimed and re-used materials. This works especially well for rustic kitchens. For example, rather than buying all new hardware, fixtures, and accessories, repurpose used cabinet pulls, wire mesh, and faucets. As long as everything is in good shape, these repurposed elements will only add to your kitchen’s rustic charm.

2. Refinished Cabinets

Rather than buying all new cabinets, consider refinishing your cabinets if they are in good condition. At Edgewood Cabinetry, we offer painting, staining, and refinishing services to help you refresh your kitchen. It’s a simple way to be more eco-friendly without giving up your style.

3. Sustainable Materials

Choosing sustainable materials is an easy way to incorporate eco-friendly design options into your kitchen. For instance, terrazzo and quartz are great choices for countertops because they’re easily recycled. Sustainably harvested wood and glass are also great choices for your kitchen. So, don’t forget to ask about using sustainable wood for your kitchen cabinets.

4. Save Water

Most homeowners use a lot of water in their kitchens. Whether you’re washing dishes or rinsing veggies, using water is part of the job. Plus, who doesn’t love a giant pot of pasta? Thankfully, it’s easy to be more eco-friendly with your water use. Just choose appliances and taps that are made to save water. They’re just as effective without being wasteful. Win!

5. Look for Low VOCs

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, create pollution that is harmful to both the environment and your health. Sadly, VOCs are often found in building materials, like composite wood and carpet. Instead, opt for materials like solid wood and granite. These have low or no VOCs. Additionally, choose paint or finishes that are low in VOCs. We can help you decide.

6. Eco-Friendly Flooring

The type of flooring you use in your kitchen has a big impact on how eco-friendly it is. For instance, synthetic materials, like vinyl, put a lot of pollution into the environment. Gross. Plus, they require a lot of intensive work that increases the carbon footprint of these materials. Thankfully, better options are available. Wood, bamboo, and cork are all excellent choices for floors. They look great, and they’re sustainable, too!

7. Look for Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient lights and appliances make a big difference in your electric bill. They’re also eco-friendly options for your kitchen. So, if you’re building a new kitchen, choose energy-efficient lights. Your fridge and stove should be energy-efficient, too. You can also replace things slowly, as they wear out. Remember, even changing one light is still a step in the right direction.

8. Eco-Friendly Cabinets

Your cabinets make up a large part of your kitchen. So, it’s important to choose eco-friendly ones. Cheap particleboard is full of chemicals. And stock cabinets from box stores are often shipped all over the world. That makes them pretty bad for the environment. So, try working with a local cabinet maker, like Edgewood Cabinetry.

Natural wood cabinets are a good choice. They’re even better if you use local wood. That way, it doesn’t travel as far. And that means, it uses fewer resources. Don’t be afraid to ask whether the wood is harvested sustainably, too.

At Edgewood Cabinetry, we have many ways to make your kitchen more eco-friendly. For example, we’re happy to use reclaimed materials, as long as they’re in good shape. We can also help you refresh your existing cabinets. And we offer wood species that are native to our state, like oak and pine. If you’d like to learn more about eco-friendly cabinet options for your kitchen, contact us here. We’ll be in touch soon!

 

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natural woodgrain kitchen cabinets

Are Some Woods Better Than Others for Kitchen Cabinets?

One of the best things about purchasing custom kitchen cabinets is you get to choose every detail, from the wood color and species to the hardware and accessories. But with so many options available, it’s often hard to decide what’s best. Frequently, one of the most difficult decisions customers face is selecting the wood species they want.

So are some woods better than others for kitchen cabinets? Absolutely. Here’s what you need to know.

Some Woods Are More Durable

Your kitchen is hard on wood. Steam from cooking, moisture from washing dishes, and chemicals from household cleaners all take a toll on your cabinets. Plus, there’s all the wear and tear from opening and closing all those doors and drawers. So you definitely need to choose a wood species that is strong enough to handle a kitchen environment.

Close-grained hardwoods like cherry, hickory, and maple are excellent choices for your kitchen. That’s because they’re not easily warped by the wet environment in your kitchen. And they’re strong enough to hold up to years of use without becoming distressed.

Some Woods Look Better Stained

Another factor you need to take into consideration is whether you want the wood grain in your cabinets to be visible. For example, rustic cabinets typically feature natural wood grain, including knots, worm holes, and other unique characteristics. So if you enjoy the natural wood aesthetic, you need to choose a type of wood that looks good stained.

Pine, cherry, hickory, alder, walnut, and oak all look beautiful stained. So think about the color and characteristics of the wood you would like to have in your kitchen. Then, choose a species to match.

Some Woods Are Better for Painting

On the other hand, if you prefer painted cabinets, you need to choose wood that is smooth. Typically, maple works best for painted cabinets. It’s a durable hardwood that will stand up to use in your kitchen. But the grain of wood is small, so it won’t interfere with a smooth finish.

Modern and contemporary cabinets are typically painted, so maple is a great choice if you prefer these styles. Maple also works well for Shaker cabinets, since they are frequently painted, too.

Some Woods Better Fit Certain Cabinet Styles

Custom wood cabinets are a sizeable investment, so you want to be certain you’ll love the finished product. To that end, it’s important to consider the cabinet style you want when selecting a wood species. Some woods better fit certain cabinet styles.

As we mentioned above, maple is typically featured in modern and contemporary cabinets, but it can also be used in Shaker and rustic/country cabinets, too. In addition to maple, country/rustic cabinets often feature hardwoods like oak, hickory, and pine. Shaker cabinets most often feature woods native to the Northeastern United States, like maple, oak, hickory, and cherry. And traditional cabinets make a formal statement with woods like mahogany, cherry, and walnut.

Some Woods Are Easier On Your Budget

Some species of wood, like pine, tend to be cheaper. And other species, like mahogany, tend to be on the more expensive side. So you may need to take your budget into consideration when choosing a wood species.

However, because we use high-grade materials and construction techniques, we find that the type of finish and style of door you choose have the most impact on the price of your cabinets. So before you discount a particular species of wood, it’s worth getting a quote to see whether it fits in your budget after all.

When it comes to kitchen cabinets, some woods are definitely better than others. But don’t worry, we’re happy to help you choose the right species to fit your vision. Give us a call or contact us online to begin the process.

 

 

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