Painted vs. Stained Cabinets: Which Is Best For You?

Aesthetics: Stained Vs. Painted Cabinets

As far as aesthetics, if your cabinets are made up of hardwoods, then staining – rather than painting – will allow the natural grains of the wood to shine through the stain. This can be very appealing for a more traditional look. Softwoods generally look best painted, but stain can be applied with use of a conditioner to even out the pores beforehand.

If you’re considering painting or staining your cabinets, but your cabinets have laminate, then painting will be the way to go.

Laminates are made from plastics, and wood stains will not work with these. Veneer, however, can be either stained darker or painted any color. A good sanding and quality primer and paint are all that’s needed. This process also applies when deciding to paint over currently stained cabinets.

The color of the appliances around your cabinets, like in your kitchen, should be considered when making your decision as well. Traditionally, black appliances are paired with stained wood cabinets, while white or stainless appliances are paired with either white or grey paints.

Budgeting Factors

When it comes to your budget, staining cabinets is more often the lower cost option. Paints tend to run more expensive than stains, and labor costs for painted vs. stained cabinets tend to be higher.

Because painting cabinets requires more coats than staining, the average project time can be longer, further adding to the overall project cost. In either case, both options are affordable in comparison to refacing or replacing your cabinets – by quite a bit.

And if you’re looking to increase your home value, both painting and staining are great options to make that happen. According to Remodeling Magazine, the average ROI for a minor kitchen remodel (which refinishing or painting cabinets falls under) is about 81 percent.

All in all, a refresh to your cabinetry is always a good idea.

Longevity, Cleaning, & Maintenance

In the way of longevity, cleaning, and maintenance, both stained and painted cabinets have their pros and cons.

Stains will typically last two to three times longer, are more easily cleaned, and hide repairs much better than paint. On the other hand, paint is more prone to cracking and chipping, especially with continued cleaning.

Repairs are tougher to hide because paint can be difficult to match and texture differences are more visible than stained cabinets. But paint is also more resistant to water, shows less dirt and dust, and offers a smooth look with many color options.

Need Help?

We hope this breakdown was helpful in deciding whether painting or staining your cabinets is best for your situation.

If you’re looking for someone to tackle this task for you, or you have questions about your next cabinet painting or refinishing project, call the pros at Oceanside Painting and Refinishing at 732-818-0092 or shoot us an email at phil.oceanside@gmail.com.

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