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.
Under normal conditions, we fully expect our painted cabinets to last anywhere from 8-15 years without needing a fresh coat of paint.
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.
White kitchen cabinets are actually no harder to keep clean than any other. Sure, they aren't as forgiving as darker colors, but that doesn't mean they have to be any less durable or easy to clean and maintain.
The Classic look that will never go out of style
This type of cabinet will still look good after five years, and some long-time homeowners have been content with this choice after 20 years, from traditional to modern homes, white kitchen cabinets can work with any home decor.
All-white cabinets and countertops have a tendency to turn yellow over time when exposed to high amounts of direct sunlight. If not properly protected, the jaundice-like effect can cause major regret after only a few years.
-Like almost any product in this color scheme, white cabinets may easily show dirt, smudges, scratches or food particles from cooking. -They show signs of aging, such as cracks or discoloration, far more easily than cabinets in other colors.
Water-based polyurethane is well-suited for low-sheen flat, eggshell or satin latex paint. If you painted your cabinets with any of these paints, apply a water-based poly over the top to prolong the life of the finish. Do not apply water-based polyurethane over the top of gloss latex and acrylic enamel.
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.
To keep your white cupboards looking bright and fresh, create a cleaning solution with one cup of vinegar, one tablespoon of baking soda, and two cups of warm water. Dip a rag in this solution, wring out the access liquid, then wipe down your cupboards. Do this at least once a month.
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.
It's actually a common problem to have painted cabinets chip and peel, and that means people have already developed solutions to give paint a long-lasting finish. If your kitchen cabinets are peeling or the paint scratches off with a fingernail, you just need to do some touch-ups with the right products and procedures.
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.
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.
Durability. If you desire the most durable cabinet finish, then stain is the best option. Stained cabinets are easy to touch-up and don't show marks or scuffs as easily as painted cabinets. It's easy to find touch-up tools that closely match your cabinet stain.
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.
White Cabinets are Still Classic
The general rule still holds that white cabinets aren't going anywhere anytime soon. They are still classic if done correctly, but I am noticing some push back on the whole “white on white on white” look that I see very often.
Many people tend to clean their kitchens more often when they have white kitchens because stains can conceal easily. Our tendency to clean white cabinets has been increased due to the fact that stains are more easily spotted than those on darker cabinets.
Well, it should be no surprise… the classic white cabinet will still be the #1 cabinet color for kitchens in 2022 and beyond. White is crisp and clean, will brighten any kitchen, and will most likely never go out of style.
So, to recap the answer to this question: You should always use a clear coat on painted cabinets unless you feel like doing a lot of repainting.
For your cabinet doors, they will need to be finished in some manner to protect them from damage. Paint can be a great choice, especially if you have a color in mind. If you are a person who loves a natural look, then a clear coat finish would be perfect for you!
White kitchens get dirty.
Unlike darker cabinets that can hide everyday grime—like fingerprints and smudges—light colored cabinets will only make them more noticeable. Dust and dirt that you might not have even thought about in other rooms will show in a kitchen that's predominately white.
The other challenge is that a large kitchen can easily look too clinical and unfriendly if you go all-white. Steve Tough, commercial sales director at Masterclass Kitchens, told FEMAIL: 'From a practical perspective, white shows up dirt and blemishes, making a white kitchen a high maintenance choice,' warns Steve.
"Yellow" cupboards are often caused by defective, aging finishes or airborne grease that settles over everything (even the ceiling!) over time, causing sickly yellow and tacky surfaces.