Painting Cabinetry - an Affordable Kitchen Update But Not a Good DIY Project
|
A kitchen remodel is typically expensive because of the amount of cabinetry, and how durable it needs to be to withstand wear and tear from daily use. Many older kitchens have solid wood cabinets that are in good shape but with an outdated finish like the golden oak that was popular in the 1980’s. A homeowner looking for a modern kitchen update would typically replace or refinish outdated cabinets with sleek painted cabinetry or darker, semi-opaque, stained finishes that hide heavy wood grain like you see in oak cabinets.
|
|
Painted cabinetry has become very popular, with the added benefit that you probably don’t have to replace older cabinets and trim, which are often expensive solid wood. “We see painted cabinetry and woodwork all over HGTV and home makeover shows,” says Brian Schwaller. “Homeowners often call a painting contractor to update a kitchen or bathroom affordably, without replacing cabinetry.” A kitchen remodel with all new cabinetry is expensive, and your kitchen will need to be gutted, making it unusable for several weeks or even months. Painting kitchen cabinets is quicker and much more affordable. It’s important to note that refacing kitchen cabinets is not the same as painting cabinetry. A cabinet reface typically involves applying new laminate to the doors or drawer fronts, or replacing them at a much higher cost than painting.
While you might see kitchen cabinets painted in a day or two on home makeover shows, the reality is that painting cabinetry is not a good DIY project. Many homeowners opt out when they realize how much goes into creating a smooth, durable finish that won’t chip or peel over time. Cabinets need to be disassembled (doors, drawer fronts and hardware removed), sanded and cleaned, and then primed and painted in multiple coats with a professional sprayer.
The paint products and equipment used are equally important. “You shouldn’t just use paint from a big box store. You need professional, cabinet-grade finishes with high washability that will stand up to household cleaners,” Schwaller says. With proper preparation, and the products applied with professional spray equipment by an experienced painter, your painted cabinets “will look like they just came from the factory.”
When you opt for painting kitchen cabinets vs. replacing them, there is no need to gut your kitchen and have it torn up for months. Schwaller’s Painting Pros can usually refinish cabinets in two weeks or less. Cabinet doors and drawer fronts are removed and refinished in our shop, then delivered finished and ready to re-install. The only painting done on-site are the cabinet frames, which minimizes the mess in your home.
Painting kitchen cabinets isn’t the only option for an affordable kitchen update. If you like the look of stained wood but the cabinets are scuffed or worn, we can touch them up with custom-matched stain and reseal them, allowing you to preserve expensive wood cabinetry that may have been custom built for your kitchen.
Refinishing kitchen cabinets, along with replacing hardware and countertops, can make it look like you just finished an expensive kitchen remodel, at a fraction of the cost, and no one will be the wiser.
While you might see kitchen cabinets painted in a day or two on home makeover shows, the reality is that painting cabinetry is not a good DIY project. Many homeowners opt out when they realize how much goes into creating a smooth, durable finish that won’t chip or peel over time. Cabinets need to be disassembled (doors, drawer fronts and hardware removed), sanded and cleaned, and then primed and painted in multiple coats with a professional sprayer.
The paint products and equipment used are equally important. “You shouldn’t just use paint from a big box store. You need professional, cabinet-grade finishes with high washability that will stand up to household cleaners,” Schwaller says. With proper preparation, and the products applied with professional spray equipment by an experienced painter, your painted cabinets “will look like they just came from the factory.”
When you opt for painting kitchen cabinets vs. replacing them, there is no need to gut your kitchen and have it torn up for months. Schwaller’s Painting Pros can usually refinish cabinets in two weeks or less. Cabinet doors and drawer fronts are removed and refinished in our shop, then delivered finished and ready to re-install. The only painting done on-site are the cabinet frames, which minimizes the mess in your home.
Painting kitchen cabinets isn’t the only option for an affordable kitchen update. If you like the look of stained wood but the cabinets are scuffed or worn, we can touch them up with custom-matched stain and reseal them, allowing you to preserve expensive wood cabinetry that may have been custom built for your kitchen.
Refinishing kitchen cabinets, along with replacing hardware and countertops, can make it look like you just finished an expensive kitchen remodel, at a fraction of the cost, and no one will be the wiser.
