How durable are painted kitchen cabinets?

Author: Dr. Karolann Aufderhar  |  Last update: Friday, June 17, 2022

Painted kitchen cabinets can be very durable and look as good as new a decade after painting. But only if they are painted right. The durability of painted kitchen cabinets depends on the type of paint used, the application method and the number of coats applied.

Do painted kitchen cabinets hold up?

With proper care of professionally painted kitchen cabinets, you can expect your newly painted cabinets to last 8-10 years. However, there are a few things that can drastically shorten this timeframe, leaving you needing them repainted 3-4 years later.

Do painted cabinets scratch easily?

They look beautiful, but the paint is not hard like I would expect- it's tacky and sticks to things and scratches off easily. I used Sherwin Williams Emerald trim enamel.

Are painted cabinets less durable?

When it comes to durability, there is a bit of a tradeoff between painted and stained finishes. Painted cabinets are more resistant to damage because the paint layer adds some protection from dings and scratches. However, stained cabinets are better at concealing the damage done to them than painted cabinets.

How do I keep my painted cabinets from chipping?

Buy cabinet door bumper pads and stick them to the corners of doors and drawers to prevent paint chipping when the doors bump onto the frames. These are small cork, vinyl or felt pads and available at hardware stores.

PAINTED KITCHEN CABINETS, ONE YEAR LATER | DURABILITY & TOUCH-UPS | BENJAMIN MOOR ADVANCE PAINT

Why you shouldn't paint your cabinets?

Detailed Patterns, Warped or Damaged Cabinets

If your cabinets have detailed patterns or they are warped, chipped, cracked or have other damage to them, then painting your kitchen cabinets is not the way to go – it most definitely won't solve your cabinet problem.

Do painted cabinets chip easily?

Friction from loose hardware can cause paint to tear, chip and peel, even if you've used the best paint for kitchen cabinets. Regularly tighten hardware to prevent it from contributing to a paint chipping problem. Sometimes the paint on kitchen cabinets peels behind closed doors — literally.

How durable are white painted kitchen cabinets?

Painted kitchen cabinets can be very durable and look as good as new a decade after painting. But only if they are painted right. The durability of painted kitchen cabinets depends on the type of paint used, the application method and the number of coats applied.

Should I buy painted or stained cabinets?

Both painted and stained cabinets are excellent options and provide you with years of satisfaction. It really comes down to personal preference and what you are looking for in your kitchen. Painted cabinets will have a smooth and uniform finish with no variations in their appearance.

What do pros use to paint kitchen cabinets?

Many professionals now use latex paint, citing the improvements to the formula and the as-good-as finish they can get on most surfaces. We actually prefer a third type of paint for cabinets, the hybrid enamel.

Do painted cabinets ever look good?

If you need to make an economical choice, painting is the way to go. Even if you are not forced into making the most economical decision, painting is still an attractive option because it gives you more money to spend elsewhere. New cabinets plus installation can cost almost half of your kitchen renovation budget.

How long does the finish last on painted cabinets?

If properly painted and cared for, your newly painted kitchen cabinets can last up to 15 years before needing another coat of paint.

What is the most durable kitchen cabinet finish?

On average, semi-gloss oil-based paint is the most durable finish for kitchen cabinets. Because of its sheen, semi-gloss paint can reflect light and remain durable for a long time.

What is average cost to paint kitchen cabinets?

Average cost of painting kitchen cabinets professionally. The average cost of painting kitchen cabinets is $100 per drawer face and $175 per cabinet door. This usually averages out to a cost of $5,000 for a medium-sized kitchen. However, the cost commonly ranges from $3000 to $10,000.

Is it better to paint or replace kitchen cabinets?

Price out replacing your kitchen cabinets and painting will look better and better. The cost to paint a kitchen is typically 1/3 to ½ the cost of replacing. The paints applied to cabinets are also very durable and will last just as long as new cabinets in most cases.

How do you protect painted cabinets?

To prolong the lifespan of your cabinet paint job, then, finish the job by sealing your cabinets with a transparent top-coat. These sealing options include varnishes composed of polyurethane, polycrylic, spar urethane, nitrocellulose, waterborne acrylic, and more.

Why are painted cabinets more expensive?

You'll also need to consider the cost of application by a local professional. Painting requires more care and extra coats to achieve a smooth finish, resulting in a slightly higher cost than staining. Your total labor costs will depend on how many cabinets you have.

Are white kitchen cabinets going out of style?

Even though there are some drawbacks to white kitchen cabinets, they will never “go out of style.” The shapes of the doors or the layout of the kitchen may go out of style, but white in a kitchen will always look good.

What color kitchen cabinets are popular in 2020?

Kitchen cabinet color trends in 2020 include grays, natural wood tones, whites, blacks, and blues.
  • Gray. It's no secret that gray has become the new neutral over the past few years. ...
  • Natural Wood. ...
  • White. ...
  • Black. ...
  • Blues. ...
  • Two-tone. ...
  • Final Thoughts.

Why are my painted cabinets peeling?

Dirty Painting Surface

One of the most common causes of peeling, bubbling, or cracking paint is that the surface was not properly prepared by cleaning, sanding and removing grease and dust before painting.

Can you paint kitchen cabinets without removing them?

You don't have to remove the cabinet doors to repaint them, so leave them on their hinges if you're not going to replace them. However, it is easier to paint the cabinet's façade with the doors off. You can paint the hinges to match the cabinets or mask them with painter's tape to keep them as they are.

Can you paint kitchen cabinets that are not wood?

Yes You Can Paint Laminate! What is laminate, you ask? It can basically be any type of furniture, cabinets, or wood-like product that is made by attaching a thin layer of printed plastic (sometimes called Melamine or Thermofoil) to a substrate of plywood or particle board.

How long do kitchen cabinets last?

In general, high-quality cabinets can last up to 50 years. This sounds like an incredibly long period of time, but cabinets are in fact one of the longest lasting components of your entire kitchen.

Should kitchen cabinets be painted satin or semi-gloss?

While satin finishes tend to be fairly durable in high traffic areas, they're not as durable and versatile as semi-gloss against mildew and mold. Kitchen cabinets in high moisture environments can, therefore, do better with semi-gloss paints.

Is oil based paint better for cabinets?

Oil-based paint considered better for kitchen-cabinets because it covers the wood in a good manner and even a single coat is enough sometimes. It creates a harder and more resistant to staining, even people can wash these paints. Oil-based paints fades in a longer period of time.

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