Eggshell, satin, or semi-
Durability: Polyurethane finishes are highly durable and resistant to scratches, stains, and water. This makes them ideal for kitchen cabinets that experience heavy use. Appearance: They provide a smooth, glossy, and polished look, which can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen.
For high durability and ease of cleaning, polyurethane is often recommended for kitchen tables. If you prefer a more natural look and feel, consider tung oil or linseed oil. Always ensure the finish is food-safe, especially in a kitchen environment, and follow manufacturer instructions for application and curing times.
For high-traffic areas like the kitchen or bathroom, a satin finish may be a better choice as it's more durable and easy to clean. However, in areas like bedrooms or living rooms, a gloss finish may be a better choice as it can add a touch of elegance to the room.
The general rule of thumb is the more matte the finish, the harder it is to clean. If a finish is glossy, it tends to be more "scrubbable." Since kitchens are such a busy part of a home and often need extra cleaning, a satin or semi-gloss finish is the best options.
Avoid using eggshell paint in high-contact, high-traffic areas such as door and window trim, baseboards, cabinetry, and doors. It's best to use semi-gloss paint in these areas.
The best type of paint for kitchens is water-based acrylic interior paint. It is washable, moisture-resistant, durable, easy to clean, and quick drying.
Eggshell Paint
Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.
Clear coat: Urethane, acrylic, or resin-curing-oil finishes provide superior protection against water, stains, and wear. They are also food-safe once fully cured. Water-based polyurethane is a popular choice for its ease of use and low odor, while oil-based polyurethane offers greater durability.
The most popular hardware finishes are satin or matte black, brushed or polished brass, and copper.
You'll need to wax your furniture at least every six months to nourish the wood and form a lasting protective seal. It's really worth taking the time to do this as it can really help your furniture last a lifetime. Waxing protects the grain, makes the wood crack resistant, and keeps any finish in its best condition.
For those who cherish the natural look and feel of wood, oil finishes like tung oil and linseed oil offer a beautiful compromise. These penetrating finishes soak deep into the wood, enhancing the grain while providing a moderate level of protection against water and wear.
If you're in the market for a worktop that won't scratch easily, then quartz and granite worktops are the two best options available thanks to their incredibly durable properties. But it is worth noting, that even though they are scratch-resistant, they certainly aren't scratch-proof.
Marine-grade plywood is an excellent choice for areas with fluctuating humidity. Designed for maximum durability and water resistance, this reduces the chance of water seeping into the core. Marine-grade plywood cabinets can resist moisture for up to 50 years, making them perfect for high-humidity environments.
While you might love the elegant, smooth look of matte and flat paint, practicality is essential in a kitchen, so you should ideally choose high-gloss or semi-gloss for the walls and cabinets. Still, if you dislike shine, satin is usually acceptable for walls and ceilings, and eggshell can be used on ceilings.
Although professionally painted cabinets should last 8-10 years there are a few factors that can drastically impact your cabinet's lifetime, requiring repainting only 3-4 years later. How long your kitchen cabinets will last depends largely on the way the paint was applied, and with what tools.
They are perfect for high-moisture rooms such as kitchens and baths, and are often stain-resistant. New water-based alkyd paints are growing increasingly popular due to their quality, durability and cost-effectiveness. Oil paint is the hardest, most durable paint to use for painting cabinets.
The best clear coat for kitchen cabinets is typically a polyurethane finish, which is known for its durability and resistance to scratches, heat, and moisture. Both oil-based and water-based polyurethanes are popular choices, with water-based options being favored for their lower odor and faster drying time.
Tip: Emerald® Urethane Trim Enamel in Gloss, Semi-Gloss or Satin sheen is among the best paint for kitchen cabinets because it has excellent flow and leveling characteristics, resulting in a smooth and durable finish.
Kitchens can often be a moist environment as a result of steam from food and cleaning, so it's important to choose durable paints that can resist stains and moisture. In most cases, the best type of paint for kitchens is an interior acrylic paint that is washable and moisture-resistant.
I always, always, always recommend to my customers a high-grade washable flat, even in bathrooms and kitchens, though if any room in the house is going to get satin or eggshell (for the added washability), I would suggest only the kitchen, unless there is a great deal of natural light.
Eggshell paint offers a soft sheen that adds elegance and is more washable than flat paint, making it ideal for moderate-traffic areas. However, it shows imperfections more than matte finishes and lacks the durability of glossier options, so it may need more frequent touch-ups in high-traffic areas.