What's the Best Paint Finish for Kitchen Cabinets?

Have you been fantasizing about transforming your kitchen as you look at photos of dream kitchens? This may mean you're seriously considering an update for your kitchen! You've probably even identified amazing cabinet colors you love. Isn't it incredible how paint can make or break the look of a kitchen? 

Painting your cabinets definitely elevates the look of your entire kitchen because your cabinets have the most visual impact. This means that you don't always have to go with a complete remodel to create your dream transformation. 

Not only do you want your kitchen to look beautiful, but you want it to stay beautiful. Choosing the best paint finish for kitchen cabinets is key to how the paint job will look and how long it will stand up to daily use. The prep techniques and materials, the paint application techniques, and the paint finish you choose will determine whether the job looks professional or DIY.

If you're unsure about your painting knowledge and skills, you'll want to hire a professional painter. At Singletrack Painting, our services provide the finest expertise and workmanship to ensure your kitchen cabinets look amazing and hold up for years to come.

Understanding Different Types of Paint for Kitchen Cabinets

Choosing what type of paint is best for kitchen cabinets can be confusing. For long-lasting beauty of your kitchen cabinets, you need to know the pros and cons of various types of paints.

• Acrylic-based Latex Paint is a good choice for a more budget friendly finish. This paint dries quickly and clean-up is easy with water. Durability on cabinets is ok but there are better products out there formulated specifically for cabinets. Sherwin Williams Superpaint or Benjamin Moore Ben will work but aren’t formulated for the highest level of finish on cabinets. 

• Oil-based Paints provide the highest level of durability but are going out of favor because they release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are unhealthy, especially in a room that you and your family use on a daily basis. Oil-based paints take longer to dry and clean-up requires the use of solvents, which means more VOCs. The old gold standard of pros for years was a product called Satin Impervo from Benjamin Moore. You can read about it here. 

• Water-based Alkyd Paint is our favorite choice for those who want a durable, enamel- type finish but without the VOCs of oil-based paint. These paints don't off-gas strong odors, are durable, and have excellent leveling properties for a smooth finish. Clean-up is with water rather than solvents. Sherwin Williams’ Emerald Trim Urethane and Benjamin Moore's Advance are two excellent choices.

Singletrack Painting can guide you on the best type of paint for kitchen cabinets. We have the skill and expertise to professionally finish your kitchen cabinets for optimal results, whether you paint or stain them.

Choosing the Best Paint Finish for Kitchen Cabinets

Once you've decided on the best type of paint for your cabinets, you'll want to decide on the finish. Finishes range between matte (no sheen) to high gloss (very shiny). The higher the sheen, the more durable, cleanable, and longer-lasting the paint is when it dries. 

Sheen affects the look and feel of your kitchen. Contemporary kitchens look great with high gloss finishes while more traditional kitchens look better with a mid-range satin or semi-gloss finish. But in addition to the overall look, you need to take into consideration light reflection, ease of maintenance, and the longevity of your cabinets.  

• High-Gloss finishes are the most durable and stain resistant. However, this finish shows imperfections so it's best for cabinets that are already in great condition. High-gloss paint has vibrant color intensity but the color can be distorted as a result of high light reflection.

• Semi-Gloss finishes are very durable and easy to clean. Semi-gloss has a rich, vibrant color intensity but isn't as highly reflective as high-gloss. This is a good choice for kitchens that see a lot of use and is the standard we apply on most kitchen cabinet jobs.

• Satin finishes give a softer feel while still being easy to clean and durable. Satin is a great choice if you want less light reflection and a finish that hides imperfections. 

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Spraying vs. Brushing: What's Best for Cabinets?

Both methods – spraying and brushing – have their pros and cons. 

• Spraying 

• Pros – A sprayed finish gives cabinets an "off-the-showroom floor" look. The smooth, professional-looking finish is something many homeowners seek. Spraying kitchen cabinets is much faster than brushing and provides more even color coverage. 

• Cons – When spraying, prep takes longer because every single thing that won't be painted (floors, ceiling, appliances) needs to be covered and taped to prevent overspray.

• Brushing

• Pros – Brushing can offer a more traditional feeling, and a skilled painter can achieve a smooth pristine finish with minimal brush strokes. Brushing can do a better job at filling nooks and crannies than spraying. Prep could take less time than spraying.

• Cons – If the painter isn't skilled in brushing technique, brushing can look a bit DIY. The actual painting takes longer than spraying.

When to Call in the Professionals

If you have a compact kitchen with open shelving and few cabinets, DIY can be very successful. However, there are cases where a professional painter can be a huge asset. For example, if you have a large kitchen with a lot of cabinets and trim, hiring a pro to paint can save you time. You'll have your kitchen up and running much sooner than if you DIY. 

Also, if your cabinets are in bad shape and require a lot of prep and repair work, you'll want a pro to do the job. Pro painters have the skill to repair cabinets so they look like new, and their superior painting expertise results in a high-quality finish. From prep and repair to choosing the right paints and getting the job done efficiently – Singletrack Painting is your go-to for expert painting with superior results.  

Enhance Your Kitchen with Expert Cabinet Painting

Excited to transform the look of your kitchen? You can count on Singletrack Painting's wide range of residential painting services for an amazing metamorphosis! Real estate experts agree – painting kitchen cabinets increases your home's value. 

When you're ready to paint your cabinets, you'll love our exemplary cabinet painting services, skilled workmanship, and outstanding customer service. With Singletrack you'll enjoy the long-term benefits of professional painting for years to come. Contact us today for a consultation or quote.

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