Is it better to paint or stain your kitchen cabinets?

Is it better to paint or stain your kitchen cabinets?

If you’re in search of a clean, modern look, paint your cabinets. Painted cabinets appear very smooth, hiding the grain of the wood. If you prefer a more natural, classic look, you should stain your cabinets. Staining your cabinets highlights the natural grain of the wood and offers a more traditional aesthetic.

Is gel stain better than paint?

Unlike paint, gel stains still allow you to feel the underlying texture of the wood. Gel stains have relatively good hiding strengths in that they will mask the underlying color of a previously stained or painted wood project.

What is more popular stained or painted kitchen cabinets?

Why Would I Choose Painted Cabinets? Currently, the most popular finish in the market for kitchen cabinets is a painted finish. Just open any home design magazine and you’ll find beautiful color selections for cabinets. It’s no wonder why three out of four kitchens feature painted cabinets over stained cabinets.

How well does gel stain hold up?

Gel stain is particularly forgiving with splotch-prone woods like birch, cherry, maple, and pine. These varieties tend to absorb thin traditional stains unevenly, looking messy and unfinished no matter the number of thin coats, but accept gel stains easily.

What is the best stain to use on kitchen cabinets?

Water-based stain is best used to stain cabinets that are also treated with a water-based polyurethane finish. As you probably know, oil and water don’t mix well, so always match your stain type to your finish type.

What are the advantages of using a gel stain?

Gel stain enables you to do both. Though it’s broadly similar to the pigment-based stains you may be more familiar with, the gel variety reliably yields concentrated-yet-transparent color. Plus, because of an added thickening agent, it’s much, much easier to apply than the regular, runny stuff.

What are the benefits of gel staining?

Gel stain is a go-to choice for DIYers because it delivers very uniform cover. The thick, pudding-like product sits atop the surface and won’t drip. Gel stain works on most surfaces from wooden to metal, and even painted surfaces can be gel stained.

Are stained cabinets outdated?

Although not as popular, stained cabinets have not become extinct. Stained cabinets are not outdated. They very much still have a place in modern kitchen designs. While not the most popular, the stained cabinets have taken on different tones and remained relevant in designs such as the transitional kitchen trend.

Is gel stain better than liquid stain?

The primary difference between gel and a traditional stain is that gel stain sits on top of the wood while a traditional stain sinks in; as a result, it lets some of the wood’s unique markings and texture shine through while delivering a crisp, consistent finish not dissimilar to paint.