Cabinet Remodeling | Should Cabinets be Painted or Stained?
Cabinet Remodeling | Painting or staining cabinets is always a hard choice to make. But, using deductive reasoning and a little knowledge, it can become a very easy decision.
What Kind of Cabinets Do You Have?
Some woods just shouldn’t be painted. If you bought some seriously incredible cabinets with burl wood and phenomenal grain, then painting it could possibly be some sort of crime. On the other hand, your cabinets may not be even made of wood. Or, at least solid wood. Many manufacturers cut costs by making their products with synthetic materials. Some cabinets can be some sort of MDF and melamine material, etc. So, staining those synthetic materials will be out of the question.
The Difference Between Stain and Paint
Stain is designed to soak into the fibers of wood. Water-based stains will stain the wood deep, which is something you can’t just sand off. It is permanent. Oil-based stains can be a little easier to take off, but material will still need to be removed to get to the bare wood beneath. Paint is more of a surface solution. It does not change the wood like stain does. There isn’t a deep saturation with paint. Paint can be made in every color imaginable. Stain comes in some colors, but usually replicate the natural colors of various wood. Stain requires a top coat to fully protect it from everyday use, moisture, and liquids. Kitchens get messy, so having cabinets that are easy to clean is nice. Paint is usually easier to apply in just a few coats.
If applied correctly, both paint and stain essentially do the same job. They work to protect the wood from anything that would harm it. You can’t go wrong with either choice. If you don’t want a paint or a stain, you can always elect for a clear top coat or shellac to bring out the grain of the wood without staining it or painting it.
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