The Best Finish for Cabinets

Nicely painted kitchen cabinets should be attractive and durable.

The best finish for cabinets is the one that makes the spouse or partner happy. That may seem facetious, but it's true -- the stay-at-home spouse spends the most time in a kitchen and does most of the cleaning in a bathroom, the two places in a house where most cabinets are installed. Kitchens and bathrooms need cabinets with finishes that are both attractive and durable. There are several alternatives.

Stain

Stain is a traditional finish for wood cabinets. Stains bring out the natural color and grain in wood and come in dozens of shades, from neutral to very dark. Stains are best applied on new wood, but old stained cabinets can be refinished by sanding and then applying new stain. Some stains are "pre-finished," with polyurethane or similar protective coating. All stains require sealing or covering with a protective coat.

Varnish

Varnish once was the standard method for finishing wood cabinets, applied after staining to make a hard surface. Varnishes come in gloss, semi-gloss and low-gloss or matte finishes, so cabinets can shine or look natural. Varnishes are still used but have been replaced in many cabinet applications with polyurethane, a synthetic material that has the durable protective features of varnish but is easier for a homeowner to use. Some polyurethane varnishes can be wiped on rather than brushed.

Paint

Paint is used to finish many cabinets, especially in older homes or in more modernistic kitchens. Paint can be colored to match any décor or desire. It can be applied in uniform color over cabinet faces and doors or can be varied, with doors one color, trim another. Most cabinet paint will be gloss or semi-gloss to provide a shine. Cabinets may be painted with latex or oil-based paint, but both benefit from a good basic primer.

Lacquer

Lacquer is a more exotic finish, providing a very tough coating. It generally is applied as a spray and is not usually a task for do-it-yourselfers, as it involves spray equipment and some skill to achieve an even, thorough application. Lacquers are available in clear or slightly tinted options and are applied over stained wood for a tough, moisture-resistant finish. It usually takes two to three coats of lacquer to finish a cabinet properly.

Glazes

Cabinets also can be finished with glazes, for special effects. Glazes in varying colors can be applied over varnishes or paints, usually wiped on with a rag. They soak into the grain of the wood to provide different and interesting looks. Some glazes are used with paints, in a style called antiquing, in which a base coat of paint is applied, then covered with a glaze that is wiped off to leave an irregular pattern of glaze.

References

• Kitchen Cabinets Key: Wood Cabinet Finishes
• Kitchen Cabinets and Hardware: Staining Kitchen Cabinets
• Ask the Decorator: Painting Kitchen Cabinets
• This Old House: Pro Secrets for Painting Cabinets
• Wood Finish Supply: Cabinet Lacquer