Cabinet Finishes You Should Know About
Cabinet finishes are the type of finish that you apply to your cabinets to give them a customized look. There are many different types of cabinet finishes available and they all have their own benefits and drawbacks, here is a help to choose the best one for you. In this blog post, we will discuss some popular cabinet finishes options so you can decide which one is right for your kitchen!
1. Natural Wood – Unfinished or Stained
This is a traditional type of finish that has existed for centuries. Natural wood cabinets are very easy to maintain and typically look the most natural with time as they acquire more character from usage.
The downside to this cabinet finish is that it does require regular oiling or waxing in order to keep them from drying out, cracking, or staining. You can keep the natural look of the wood by having it unfinished or add some shine with a glazed lacquer.
Natural Wood will be durable if taken care of and can look really elegant with the right combination of kitchen countertop and handles.
2. Paint – The Individual Look
You can easily paint your wooden cabinets and change the finish with that. This is a great way to update or change the style of your kitchen, but it will require more maintenance. Painted cabinets typically only last for about five years before they start looking worn out and need another coat of paint so you’ll want to be prepared for that work! However, this gives you the chance to change the look of your home every now and then.
Paint finishes can be matte or add some shine with a glazed lacquer in almost every color imaginable.
3. Stone Veneer – Rock’n Roll
You would like a more natural rustic look? Then stone veneer can be your pick. Stone veneer is made out of natural stone, so it has a more rustic look than ceramic tile. Although you might not be able to see the seams as well on these cabinets because they’re darker in color, once installed you will definitely notice them if touching or running your hands along the surface.
Stone veneer finishes come in various colors and patterns and can be a pretty combination with glass or steel. Stone veneers can be used as backsplash and countertops and they come in a variety of colors, styles and patterns. Because stone is porous it’s important to seal the surface with water-based sealant after installation.
4. Laminate – Cheap & Easy
Kitchen Cabinets with a laminate finish are probably the most commonly used ones. However, the sealant does not protect against moisture so it can chip or peel when exposed to heat or water for an extended period of time. Therefore a laminate finish is not as durable as others. But it is easy to purchase and cheaper and also comes in different colors and textures. Laminate kitchen cabinets can easily be washed off and therefore good for households with kids. They don’t leave fingerprints as easy as steel or other glossy finishes.
5. Stainless Steel – the Modern and Sleek Looking Solution
Stainless steel cabinets have a high-end luxurious look that is very modern but they require more maintenance than other finishes because they scratch easily and you see fingerprints all over the place. They are on the other hand durable and can be used as magnet walls or get a more individual touch with stickers or foil. And of course, steel is easiest to clean and hygienic, this is why professional kitchens in restaurants are almost always made out of steel.
6. Wood veneer – wood lookalike
Wood veneer is a thin layer of wood, plastic or MDF that is glued onto plywood. You can either paint it to give the cabinetry an entirely different look or you can finish it with laminate for added durability. Wood veneer is lighter and not as durable as solid wood cabinets and therefore cheaper. It can give your kitchen a rustic natural look as well and bring the forest into your home.
Kitchen Cabinets Finishes To Choose From
Other types of finishes you can use for your cabinets are glass, marble and concrete. These materials have the advantage that they do not require a lot of maintenance as wood does but on the other hand their price and weight is higher than that of laminate or veneer.
Blistering, delaminating, and peeling are no longer a big problem with high-quality furniture since methods and materials have improved considerably in the last several decades.
Kitchen cabinets with a high-gloss finish are easy to clean but prone to smudges. Kitchen Cabinets with a matte or satin finish have less sheen so they don’t show fingerprints and dust as easily, however the flat surface can be harder to clean.
Even though there is not one perfect kitchen cabinet you can consider which finish matches your needs and home best.