Painting Your Wooden Kitchen Cabinets

by Kevin Smith Author

Wood has always been a classic material for kitchen cabinets. It can instantly add a touch of sophistication and elegance to any area. It's also easy to create a custom design on its surface, usually through carving patterns or embedding ornaments, to introduce elements that are unique to your space. No wonder it's such a popular choice for many American homes.

Although it definitely has the edge over other materials in many aspects, it does lose out in one area: longevity. Wooden cabinets tend to have a shorter lifespan than stainless steel or plastic laminate types. As organic matter, they're more prone to develop rot and fungal growth. These are even more likely if you live in a humid part of the country. Unsealed wood will absorb the moisture in the air and become a breeding ground for microorganisms that will slowly eat away at it.

To prevent the problems that excess moisture causes, many homeowners choose to paint their hardwood cabinets. This helps keep out water and preserve the wood, improving longevity and appearance. Take a more detailed look in this article.

Change the Appearance

These heavily pigmented, opaque, liquid chemicals can cover your wood cabinet's original color and totally change its appearance. It will sit on the surface, completely blocking out all of the grain and pattern details, making it even and uniform. The only thing that will remain is the actual physical texture, which isn't really visually obvious unless there are cracks and breaks on the outer layer of the lumber. These are mostly used to create a crisper look that fits in with more minimalist kitchens.

Increase Lifespan

The paint on wood furnishings will typically last anywhere from 8 to 10 years. Since the coating just sits on the surface, once this period is over, it will start to chip off and reveal the organic matter underneath. Sections can also break off if a sharp object hits the cabinet.

When this happens, the whole thing can easily be redone. You likely won't want to just repaint the missing patches, as touch-ups to cover these sections may not blend in well if you don't have the original color and finish that was used. Even then, age and wear transform that color, making matching problematic. Thankfully, repainting is quick and cost-efficient.

Helping your wooden kitchen cabinets in Bellevue, WA last as long as possible means giving them a protective cover. Painting is the optimum choice as it not only increases longevity but gives you endless color options for your designs.