If you’re getting ready to paint your cabinets in Palatine, IL, selecting the right paint goes way beyond color. While color is important, it’s not the only thing to consider. With various types of paint available, such as oil, latex, or acrylic, and different sheen options, it’s important to choose the best one for your cabinets.
Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right paint for your kitchen cabinets.
Oil Paint
There is an ongoing debate about whether latex or oil-based paints are the best choice for cabinets. Oil-based paints are more durable against everyday wear and tear that happens in a kitchen. It also offers excellent coverage to give your cabinets a beautiful finish.
The issue with oil-based paints is that it emits fumes called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These emissions pose risks to both humans and pets and can even be fatal to small animals. Cabinets painted with oil-based paints can emit these fumes for months after painting your kitchen cabinets, so it isn’t just a matter of airing out the room for a day or two.
Additionally, another drawback is the long drying time of oil-based paint compared to other paint types, leading to more time required to complete painting your kitchen cabinets and a higher likelihood of smudging the paint before it fully dries.
Latex Paint
Latex-based paints, on the other hand, dry more quickly and provide a uniform appearance. Another advantage of latex paint compared to oil-based paints? It is more affordable and offers a wider range of options. You can even choose low- or no-VOC latex-based paint, which is great if you have children or pets as it avoids strong odors.
The downside of latex-based paints is that they are often less durable than oil-based paint. Durability is important in a busy kitchen environment where you want your paint job to last. Additionally, achieving a smooth, flawless finish with latex-based paints requires more preparation, including cleaning, sanding, and priming.
Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint, as an alternative to oil- and latex-based paint for kitchen cabinets, offers several advantages. It is a great choice because it resists everyday wear and tear, ensuring it won’t chip, crack, or flake over time. Since it can be water- or oil-based, you can opt for water-based acrylic. This is the most environmentally friendly option, and low in VOCs. It’s also easy to use when compared to oil-based paints.
What About the Sheen?
Of course, you’ll also need to consider the sheen of your paint. Paints typically come in different sheens, such as matte, gloss, satin, eggshell, or semi-gloss.
While matte finishes are commonly used for walls, it’s recommended to opt for gloss or semi-gloss when painting kitchen cabinets. These sheens provide a more resilient finish that can withstand everyday use and cleaning. On the other hand, matte, eggshell, and satin finishes are less durable for kitchen cabinets surfaces and are more challenging to keep clean. However, if you’re painting the interior of your cabinets, eggshell is the ideal choice as it can withstand the weight of dishes, pots, and pans without cracking or denting.
The Easiest Way to Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
Looking for the easiest way to paint your cabinets in Palatine, IL? Hire professionals like us, the team at N-Hance of Chicago. We use a water-based acrylic polyurethane blend that we’ve developed after years of research specifically for cabinets. This proprietary painting product offers the beautiful, flawless finish of oil-based paints without the hazards. At the same time, it’s durable, so will be a great addition to your active kitchen environment.
Plus, with our LightSpeed® Nano system, we can cure your cabinets in seconds, not days. This means you can get back to life faster. It also delivers a stronger, more resilient finish that is resistant to chipping, cracking, scratching, and peeling. N-Hance of Chicago is the easiest way to get beautiful painted cabinets that will last.
Ready to find out more about painting your kitchen cabinets? Call N-Hance of Chicago today at (847)234-8700 to set up a FREE consultation and quote.