Should I Paint My Kitchen Cabinets?
Are you in a quandary over whether you should paint your kitchen cabinets or buy new ones? Either way, it sounds like you're ready to transform your kitchen into something beautiful.
Of all painting projects, cabinet painting requires the most experience and skill. As much as you may be tempted to give it a try, cabinet painting is a complex and lengthy process that isn't recommended for DIYers. Still, the cost savings of painting compared to replacing your cabinets can make it well worth hiring a pro painter to do the job.
As you're mulling over your question – should I paint my kitchen cabinets? – you'll have an easier time deciding when you become aware of the factors that influence the job. This article details those particular factors and includes the painting pros and cons so you can decide if painting your kitchen cabinets is the right decision.
Pros of Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
Cost-Effective
If you're renovating your kitchen, new cabinets can cost more than half of your total renovation budget. Painting your cabinets will cost half of what you'd pay to replace them. Then, think of the hidden replacement costs – in addition to cabinets, you'd have to buy a new countertop, sink, and faucet, and hire a plumber. All that money you'll save could be put toward other projects in your home.
Provides a Fresh New Look Without a Full Renovation
Particularly when painted by a professional, your kitchen will take on a fresh, amazing, like-new look. It will appear brighter, cleaner, and bigger. You can usually avoid the major hassles and costs of a full renovation when you transform your cabinets with paint.
Minimal Disruption
Replacing kitchen cabinets can put your kitchen on hold for up to 6 weeks, maybe more. It's no fun trying to wash your dishes in the bathtub or cook for your family in a microwave that's sitting on the washing machine. And the dust! Painting kitchen cabinets can take a week or less and before you know it, your clean, beautiful, updated kitchen will be better than ever.
Sustainable and Eco-friendly
Painting kitchen cabinets is the eco-friendly, sustainable option over replacing them. Repainting reduces the carbon footprint involved in manufacturing new cabinets, plus you'll prevent the old cabinetry from adding to landfills unnecessarily. Painting kitchen cabinets is an eco-friendly, sustainable choice over buying new cabinets.
Customizable
When you choose to paint over replacement, you have the ability to fully customize your cabinets. You can choose colors that match your taste and style when you paint or stain your cabinets. For example, bold dark colors like rich blues, deep greens, and moody dark grays are very popular colors for kitchen cabinets. Replacement cabinets may not be available in these trending colors.
Cons of Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
Difficult to Paint Certain Cabinet Materials
Non-wood cabinet materials with glossy finishes like stainless steel, or vinyl are more difficult to achieve adhesion. If done improperly, they will eventually chip or peel. Also, paint won't bond well to laminate cabinets that are cracked, warped, or delaminating.
May Not Look Their Best in Different Seasons
It's hard to know what a chosen paint color will look like throughout the seasons. Paint will look different in cloudy, overcast months and then take on a totally new appearance in months that are bright and sunny. A pro painter can guide you on how your chosen color will appear in different types of light and different seasons.
Grain
Certain kinds of wood like oak, mahogany, and ash have prominent grain with deep grooves. This grain will remain visible after paint and may be undesirable compared to a smooth look.
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Factors to Consider Before Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
Before you start your kitchen cabinet paint project, it's important to know the particular factors that will play into the quality, durability, and lifespan of the job.
Cabinet Material
Most types of wood take paint beautifully. Once the wood is sanded and primed, the paint goes on smoothly and provides a durable, long-lasting finish. Other cabinet materials can be painted as noted above but it's always best to check with your professional painter and ask about the prep process.
Cabinet Condition
Peeling paint and warped or cracked cabinet faces are the enemies of a beautiful kitchen cabinet paint job. Therefore it's important to carefully inspect your cabinets to make sure painting them is the best option. Check for the structural integrity and overall quality of your cabinets. If they aren't structurally sound, they'll need to be replaced instead of painted.
However, the majority of kitchen cabinets are sound and can be painted. Prep is the key to a quality paint job so make sure your cabinets are degreased and properly prepared before painting. Painting will save time, money, and frustration compared to replacement. To check on today's trends, check out our exciting cabinet color ideas!
DIY vs. Professional Painting
Most people can successfully paint a wall. But painting kitchen cabinets is a completely different task that overwhelms most DIYers. Unless you're highly experienced, it's not a good idea to tackle painting your kitchen cabinets on your own. The long list of materials and supplies, experience and expertise, and specialized equipment required to paint kitchen cabinets can defeat most DIYers.
For a professional-quality finish, beginner and intermediate DIYers should hire a pro to paint their kitchen cabinets. Even with a professional painting service, you'll save money, time, and frustration over replacing your cabinets. The cost of painting cabinets is far less than the cost of replacing them.
Ready to Refresh Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Singletrack Painting is Denver's cabinet painting specialist. If you're ready to refresh your kitchen cabinets with paint, our highly skilled crews will do all the hard work. Your kitchen will be completely transformed into a fresh, bright, beautiful space once Singletrack paints your cabinets.
And we don't stop at cabinets – Singletrack Painting has years of experience with outstanding interior and exterior residential painting too. We're ready to answer any questions you may have about any of our painting services. Why wait? Ask for a free quote today!
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