The Advantages of Stained and Painted Cabinets: Which Is Better?
When you are buying new cabinets for your kitchen, it is likely that the first thing you think about is its aspect. No matter how high the quality may be, or what kind of hardware it may use, the first thing you will notice is its finish – and the kind of style it will bring into your kitchen.
That being said, did you know that not all finishes are the same? You can go for either painted cabinets, or for stained ones – both of which will bring their own advantages into the mix.
Going for Painted Cabinets
There are a few things that leave a crisp and clean look design behind – but nothing does it quite like a painted cabinet does. For instance, think about the classic white kitchen cabinets. You wouldn’t get that look unless you painted over the surface. Regardless of the color of choice, you should still get a sleek, smooth surface.
One advantage of painted cabinets is that you will never run out of colors to add in your kitchen. You may either buy them already painted – or you may decide to paint them yourself. So, whether you want to go for sleek black cabinets, tranquil teal, or hot pink, the hue choice is all yours.
It also proves very efficient when it comes to “concealment.” For example, let us say that you have furniture made from a cheap kind of wood or fiberboard. These pieces may not only look unnatural, but they may also have some imperfections that you would wish to cover. With the density of paint, you would not be able to tell what is under that layer.
The only issue with paint is that it tends to be rather expensive – and since it is relatively thick, it will not get absorbed in the wood as stain does. Because of this, some special features (e.g. knots and grains) will be hidden from sight. It is not exactly the go-to choice if you are particularly fond of natural beauty.
Opting for Stained Cabinets
Stain knows how to strike a fairly good balance between texture and color, making it a great choice for many homeowners. Unlike paint, stain does not hide the natural character of the wood – but instead, enhances it. This is because, unlike paint, stain gets through the surface, into the wood and does not cover it.
Because of this, you should be able to admire the distinct features of the wood. The knots and grains will be visible – and perhaps even made more beautiful by the stain. It is also easier to touch up in comparison to paint, as stain tends to blend much easier.
At the same time, stain is less expensive compared to paint – which means that if you buy a stained cabinet, it will not cost as much as a painted one. This is actually a good thing is you have a bigger kitchen – for which you obviously have to buy more furniture.
Moreover, stain will show pretty much any blemish of the wood. Granted, some people will see those “blemishes” as a point of character – but there will also be other people that do not want to see inconsistencies. This is why stain is not particularly a good choice for them, as it just takes the backseat to the natural elements of the wood.
Plus, stain is not as strong in color as paint is, nor does it have such high availability. While you might find bright and crazy paint to use on your cabinet, you may only find earthly colored stains that will fade into the wood. This is why stain might not be such a good idea if you’re planning to go bold with your kitchen.
Final Thoughts
One cannot exactly say that paint is better than stain or the other way around. It all depends on your own preferences. Some people might prefer stained cabinets, whereas others believe paint is the only way to go.
If you are a perfectionist without an actual budget, one that doesn’t like seeing knots and other imperfections on their furniture, then you may go for painted cabinets. On the other hand, if you don’t mind those imperfections – and actually believe they add character – then you might just want to go for stained cabinets.