To Paint or Stain Kitchen Cabinets? 5 Things to Consider

Is your head spinning while trying to decide between paint or stain for your Denver home's kitchen cabinets? You're not alone! This is a common dilemma that haunts many homeowners who are trying to decide on the best finish for their kitchen cabinets.

Your kitchen cabinets probably face more use and abuse than other cabinets in your home. Avid or casual cooks – it doesn't matter – the daily wear and tear is hard on cabinets. No wonder you're investigating if you should paint or stain kitchen cabinets! 

Whether you're installing new cabinets or plan to refinish your existing kitchen cabinets, our guide will help you decide if paint or stain is best for your project.

As you're researching, check out the premier cabinet painting services that will give you more insight into the finishing process. From cabinet material and cost, to maintenance and durability, you'll learn everything you need to know about stain vs paint.

Stained Versus Painted Cabinets: 6 Factors to Consider

Fingerprints, grease stains, food stains, kids and pets – kitchen cabinets take a beating. But choosing a finish that's durable, attractive, budget-friendly, and easy to maintain can be confusing. Let's delve into the 6 factors you should consider before making your final decision.

Cabinet Material

If your cabinets are made of MDF (medium density fiberboard), you'll likely have to opt for paint because MDF doesn't take stain well. Birch, maple, and poplar are also commonly used for a paint finish because of their relatively smooth grains.

Hardwoods such as walnut, cherry, oak, and hickory feature beautiful grains that are enhanced by stain. The stain brings out the texture and natural warmth of the wood. Most people don't like to see these expensive woods covered by paint.

Ultimately, whether you should stain or paint kitchen cabinets will depend on the material your cabinets are made of.

Cost

A few factors will affect the final cost of your kitchen cabinet project:

• The door style – Simple door faces are less expensive to paint. More elaborate doors require more material and labor, thus cost more.

• The cabinet material – Fine hardwoods such as oak, walnut, cherry, and hickory take stain beautifully but are expensive. Other materials like MDF are more budget friendly but can only be painted. In the Front Range, considering local wood types and their response to stain or paint is crucial due to the unique climate.

• Generally if your cabinets are being stained the cabinet manufacturer will do this in shop prior to delivery and installation. This will be built into the purchase price of the cabinets. If painting, the same could also be true where the cabinet manufacturer will pre-finish them prior to delivery or install. It's also a possibility to purchase and install your cabinets unfinished or raw and have your painter finish them on site. 

Here's the bottom line: If you have MDF cabinets, they'll need to be painted. The paint job will cost more but the cabinet material will cost less.

If your cabinets are made of high-grade hardwood, they will generally be stained. The cost of finishing will typically be built into the purchase price and handled off-site. Check with your installer and manufacturer to see which is right for your expectations and budget. 

Maintenance & Durability

A pre-finished system directly from the manufacturer will generally be more durable over the long haul. These stains and lacquers are very durable and provide excellent scratch, ding, and moisture resistance. Even the factory pre-finish “paints” are not really paints but actually tinted lacquers. The factory finish has the highest degree of durability but is very difficult to touch up due to the coating process that is employed and the harsher solvents at work. 

In contrast, an onsite paint finish applied by a painter will also have good durability against chipping, and moisture but does require more maintenance. However, that can be done with relative ease. The other benefits of paint are the ability to change your style at will. If you don’t want to invest in brand-new cabinets, painting is the best option. A painter with the right process and paints can give you a durable finish for years to come. 

Aesthetics and Style

Paint offers more opportunities to customize the look of your kitchen. In Denver and the Front Range, the choice between paint and stain can also reflect the regional aesthetic preferences and home styles. With an unlimited range of colors, paint can be matched to your current decor or changed to follow your favorite design trends. Paint provides a uniform, opaque, clean aesthetic and lighter-toned paints will create an open airy feel.

Stain enhances the natural beauty of wood by highlighting its texture and grain. If your wood cabinets have blemishes, such as filled knot holes and dings, stain will also enhance those features. Stained cabinets tend to create a warm, intimate, earthy, feel.

To get an idea of the amazing paint options available, check out these inspiring cabinet painting ideas. If you feel stuck with your old stained cabinets, no worries! Pro painters have the skill and know-how to convert cabinets from stain to paint. 

Resale Value

If resale is in your future, you may be wondering if prospective home buyers prefer painted vs stained kitchen cabinets. In the dynamic Denver housing market, considering how your choice between paint and stain will appeal to potential buyers is important.

Many people shopping for a home are attracted to the open, clean, modern feel of cabinets painted in light tones. Color can powerfully influence a mood, so the creams, off-whites, and soft whites are a safe bet for resale.

If you're debating between paint vs stain on kitchen cabinets, just remember that potential homebuyers will be able to picture their dishes, glassware, linens, and accessories more easily against a light, neutral backdrop.. 

Ready to Refresh Your Cabinets?

Expert cabinet painting, tailored for Denver and Front Range homes, is just one of the many services that Singletrack Painting provides. Offering premier customer service, Singletrack has many years of experience with interior and residential painting in the Denver metro area.

We're happy to answer any questions you may have about cabinet painting, converting stain to paint, or our other range of expert painting services. Contact us now for a free estimate!