Deciding Among Wood Cabinet Finishes
Painted and glazed door.
Stained door; note the hairline cracks.
Classic two-toning; white above, dark below.
Wood cabinets make for beautiful and durable kitchens. Its natural appeal and adaptable state in terms of style and finishing options make wood a preferred choice for most homeowners.
With a large variety of stains, paints and finishes available, you may be unsure of which option is best suited for your renovation. In truth, it all comes down to a matter of aesthetic preference.
Stained cabinets will show off the natural features of the wood, including visible knots and slight irregularities. Many homeowners who prefer stained cabinets enjoy the beauty of natural wood and feel paint takes away from its natural allure. Stains come in a variety of colors ranging from light to dark. The staining process involves applying the stain uniformly to the wood surface.
If you're seeking a more uniform and streamlined look, you may prefer painting the cabinetry to create an elegant finish. The most common colors for painted kitchen cabinets are white and off-white, but there are no limits to what one can do when it comes to color. Remember, however, that painted cabinetry will show fine hairline cracks in the rails and styles: it’s inevitable with a heating / cooling environment. If you want fully crack-free, opt for thermofoil or a high-gloss acrylic on MDF.
What if you’re wanting a combination of both? Two-tone kitchens allow you to sport one finish, while accents or the kitchen island sport another. Two tone kitchens add a visual interest to the overall kitchen design.
Finally, a beautiful glaze brings character and charm to a kitchen. Glazing is a finishing process involving hand detailed techniques, and the result means no two doors are quite alike.
Glaze can add an accent color to the primary cabinet finish (whether painted or stained) and highlight details such as routing, grooves, and edges. Glaze is only applied to the cabinet or drawer front; not the frame or cabinet box.
Whichever wooden cabinet finish you think you may prefer, call us to see some samples: 267-228-5494!
Doylestown, PA-based OPEN DOOR CABINETRY & DESIGN specializes in CREATIVE, AFFORDABLE SPACES FOR ORGANIZED INDOOR & OUTDOOR LIVING. With that in mind, we offer stock to fully-custom cabinetry for all residential uses from these top industry manufacturers: R.D. Henry & Company, EVOKE & Fabuwood Cabinetry; Cuisine Idéale, plus Canyon Creek Cabinet Company & Closets Plus. We also feature Trex Outdoor Kitchens & NatureKast Weatherproof Cabinetry; Grothouse wood countertops; the Galley Workstation; Hafele products; plus an array of cabinetry accessories, decorative hardware & organization products. Our award-winning personalized service means that our commitment to your satisfaction is among the highest in our industry. Call 267-228-5494 or e-mail us soon to discuss your project.