Think your cabinets are finished? Refinishing may be an option

Your cabinets set the tone for the rest of your kitchen. If they’re bland or beat up, your kitchen will look boring or tired. If they look fresh and new, your kitchen will be more lively and welcoming. You may think the only way to change your cabinets is to replace them. Sometimes that is the best option, but when possible, refinishing your cabinets can also make a big difference without the hefty price tag.

There are three ways to refinish cabinets

They can be enameled

Enameling cabinets is applying an even coat of solid color, which hides wood grain and any defining markings. It’s up to you whether or not that is a good thing. Some people love wood grain and the unique character it can add, while others prefer to have one uniform color covering their cabinets. A strength of painting cabinets is the wide variety of color options available. However, a downside is that it can crack and peel over time. Also, paint cannot be applied to engineered wood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or high-density fiberboard (HDF).

They can be stained

Unlike with paint, staining alters the color of your cabinets while enhancing the wood grain and character of them. Before staining cabinets, any finish or paint needs to be sanded off completely, or the stain will not adhere correctly. It would be pointless to stain MDF and HDF cabinets, as they have no natural grain for stains to enhance. Also, if you have a veneer, paint is likely a better choice for you. But, if your cabinets are natural wood and you appreciate that natural look, staining is a more economical option than painting.

Pros of refinishing cabinets

• Cabinet refinishing is far less expensive than both replacing or refacing cabinets (replacing doors and drawer fronts, and adding a veneer on the cabinet boxes to match). 
• There is less mess and disruption when cabinets are refinished rather than refaced or replaced.
• If you like the layout of your cabinets, you get to keep it.
• It is ideal for wood types like yellow maple, orange cherry, and red alder that were common in the early 2000s.
• It is more environmentally friendly, since your cabinets don’t end up in the landfill.

Cons of refinishing cabinets

• Cabinet refinishing is only a viable option if your cabinet boxes, doors, and drawer faces are in good condition. If they aren’t, refinishing them doesn’t make sense.
• You’re unable to change the layout of your cabinets if you don’t like it.

Want to learn more about refinishing cabinets?

As you can see, refinishing cabinets is not the best choice for everybody, but it’s worth looking into, especially if they are sturdy but have an unappealing exterior. If you’re still not sure whether to refinish, reface, or replace your cabinets, don’t hesitate to reach out to Cityscape Painting. We’ll provide an honest assessment of your cabinets to help you determine which option is best for you. After that, if you decide that refinishing is right for your situation, we’d be honored to put our years of experience to work for you.

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