Cabinetry: Pluses and Minuses of Painted and Stained Finishes

One of the many decisions when choosing kitchen cabinetry is whether to opt for a painted or stained finish. Each choice has pluses and minuses to take into account.  

Aesthetics: Conceal or spotlight the wood? 

Do you prefer a uniform finish or one with “character”? A painted finish is uniform, concealing wood grain and any blemishes. Most painted cabinet doors use medium density fiberboard (MDF) for the center panel. The uniform texture of MDF has no irregularities to telegraph through the painted finish. Telegraphing is when underlying wood patterns, such as bumps or lines, are visible as a texture on the finished surface. The use of MDF virtually eliminates telegraphing. Cabinetmakers apply paint by spraying in a controlled environment in order to achieve uniformity.  

Stained cabinet doors show, and highlight, the wood grain, including imperfections such as knots. These irregularities are considered a feature, not a bug, for those who prefer natural wood and consider any oddities part of its charm. Center panels of stained cabinet doors are always wood, never MDF.  

When it comes to color choices, stains range from blue-gray to white to golden to clear, always accenting or modifying the color of the underlying wood. A natural finish “is meant to magnify, not mask or change the natural characteristics of the wood,” said Natalie Thibeault of Cory Manufacturing, the maker of Imperia and PureKitchen cabinets. 

Paint allows for a virtually unlimited color palette, making it possible to match appliances or existing elements in the house. Dark stains and paints tend to show dust readily, while light-colored paints show dirt. Darker colors give a room a cozier, more closed feeling, while lighter colors make the space feel more light and airy. Meyvin Gudiel of Superior Painting, who specializes in painting cabinetry, says the light feeling of a painted kitchen is a major draw. As evidence of the look’s popularity, Candlelight Cabinetry has seven different shades of white among its standard colors.  

Changes over time 

Painted and stained finishes both change over the course of time. Cherry is known for its tendency to darken over the years. Walnut and mahogany tend to lighten. Paint colors also change. They can fade when exposed to light, and originally bright whites can yellow when exposed to moisture, cooking oils, or smoke. Doug Brenner, representative for Woodland Cabinetry, the makers of Artizen, compares paint colors to dye lots of fabric: it is common for there to be slight variations when the same color is applied months or years apart. 

Finishes from BBR’s suppliers include ultraviolet absorber elements to help maintain the cabinets’ original appearance. Still, changes will begin to become visible after five to seven years. A painted finish could last as long as ten years when the best quality products are used, Meyvin says. 

Repeated touching also causes changes over the long term. The area around cabinet knobs and pulls often becomes damaged, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the pull style. 

Heat and moisture 

Finishes are affected when the underlying wood or MDF expands, contracts, and shifts. “All woods continue losing or gaining moisture over time, which results in shrinkage or expansion,” said Natalie. Often, with a painted five-piece cabinet door (rails, stiles, and center panel), a line may form where the pieces meet. Movement occurs in all five-piece wood doors, but stress lines are more visible on painted cabinets. “Stress lines at the corners of doors and at frame joints will be magnified by painted finishes, but they do not affect durability,” Natalie added. 

One-piece MDF doors, an option from Candlelight, can eliminate the risk of stress lines. “These doors appear to be five-piece, but they are in fact a single piece of MDF routed to that shape,” said Candlelight representative John Baker.  

Moisture is the most common cause of damage to painted cabinets, Meyvin has found. “It’s common to find damage around the dishwasher, sink, refrigerator, and range hood from water and humidity.” When water gets into the wood of the cabinet, it can swell, causing the paint to peel. With one-piece MDF doors, moisture can penetrate any areas that become nicked, such as the top edge of the panel on a trash pullout. 

To reduce the risk of damage, keep heat- and steam-generating appliances such as toasters, kettles, and rice cookers away from cabinetry. Use an externally vented range hood to vent heat and steam from cooking in order to prevent damage to the cabinets surrounding the cooktop. Wipe away any spills on cabinets, as even minimal amount of liquid can seep into joints and cause finish failure. 

It is also wise to keep an eye on the relative humidity in the house generally. Optimal levels are between 35 and 50 percent. Anything higher than 80 percent is considered high and will impact not only the cabinet finishes, but also the wood itself. Prolonged exposure to high humidity can cause wood doors and drawers to bow and warp. 

Cleaning and touch-ups 

Those of us who live and cook in the real world also know that wear and tear on cabinetry is inevitable: scuffs, scratches, and spills are part of life in the kitchen. Stained cabinets have the advantage when it comes to touching up minor damage. 

“Stain penetrates the wood, while paint rides on the surface,” said Doug. If a bit of paint chips off, the contrast between the paint and the core is obvious to the eye. Minor damage to stained cabinets is more easily camouflaged by the wood grain. Touch-up pencils give good results on stained cabinetry, but matching a paint color exactly is difficult, especially if the color has changed over time. The texture of a damaged area can also telegraph through touch-up paint. It is very difficult to match a factory-applied painted finish while outside of the factory’s controlled conditions.  

Choose a mild cleaning product and nonabrasive cloth to clean cabinets. Avoid solvents and cleaners that leave build-up. Do not spray cleaning products directly on the cabinets. Use a damp soft cloth; do not use paper towels due to their abrasive qualities.  

Cost and timing 

Painted cabinets are about 10% more expensive than stained. Ordering painted cabinets may also add to the manufacturing time, because a painted finish is applied in a multi-step process that takes longer than staining. Doug gives stained cabinets the advantage for budget and durability, and painted cabinets the advantage for aesthetics and the ability to match appliances or other elements. 

Whichever finish you opt for, choosing a well-constructed cabinet line is essential if you are seeking a kitchen that will serve you well for many years. At Boston Building Resources, we work with cabinet manufacturers that we can stand behind for quality of construction and customer service. Contact one of our kitchen designers to learn more.