Cabinet sheen impacts both appearance and maintenance effort. Gloss and semi-gloss sheens are easy to clean, making them ideal for high-traffic kitchens. They also help small rooms feel larger and brighter. Tone-on-tone glossy vignettes are popular for contemporary aesthetics. Flat paint has no shine, masks imperfections, and is very durable (though stains show up pretty quickly). Benjamin Moore Advance’s matte finish alkyd paint provides extra durability with a soft sheen that hides fingerprints.
Durability
Cabinet Refinishing San Jose CA is a great way to give your cabinets an updated look without the expense of replacing them. This process involves stripping the existing finish from your cabinet doors and boxes, repairing any damage and then refinishing them with new paint or stain. The sheen you choose will have a big impact on your cabinet’s durability and appearance. Here’s how to choose the right sheen for your project.
Durability is the most important factor when it comes to choosing a sheen for your cabinets. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets are subjected to continuous exposure to moisture, grease, and scrubbing, so you want a durable surface that will hold up over time. With the proper sheen, your cabinets will resist stains, grease, and fingerprints and be easy to wipe down. Using the right cleaners and taking good care of your cabinets can also help extend their lifespan.
High-sheen finishes like semi-gloss and gloss are the most durable, ideal for kitchens and other areas that require frequent cleaning. These sheens reflect light and highlight architectural details, making them eye catching, but they can also show imperfections if you’re not careful. These sheens are best for trim, baseboards, and doors because they’re resistant to moisture, stains, and grease.
Matte is the least durable sheen, but it’s perfect for bathrooms and other low-traffic areas because it hides stains well and holds up to scrubbing. Be aware that matte will show more fingerprints than other sheens and may need to be wiped down more frequently.
If you’re unsure which sheen is best for your project, it’s helpful to visit your local hardware or paint store and look at samples of your chosen color in different sheens. Lighting and layout will play a role in how a sheen looks day to day, so it’s a good idea to test them in your actual space. You can also ask a professional Lake Mary painting contractor for advice.
Appearance
Cabinet refinishing offers homeowners the opportunity to explore style options that reflect their tastes and lifestyles. A skilled professional can provide color swatches and examples of finished projects to help guide the process. But when it comes to choosing a paint sheen, the options can be overwhelming. This choice affects both durability and appearance, so the right sheen is essential for a successful transformation.
The type of sheen you choose can impact the overall appearance of your cabinets. Sheens vary from matte to semi-gloss to high-gloss, with each offering a different level of shine. Matte finishes provide a soft, natural look that works well in traditional and transitional styles. But this finish also shows fingerprints and grease smudges more easily, and it requires frequent wipe-downs to keep it looking clean.
Semi-gloss and high-gloss offer a smooth, wipeable surface that can withstand steam heat and grease buildup. This type of sheen is recommended for busy kitchens and high-traffic areas. These sheens also highlight the texture and wood grain of cabinets for a sophisticated, refined look.
Sheens can also be layered to create visual contrast and complement the overall design of a room. For example, a matte island can be paired with semi-gloss perimeter cabinets to add dimension and interest.
The best sheen for cabinets is the one that suits your style, durability needs, and cleaning habits. Be sure to test your finish choices in your home and under the lighting conditions you use most often. A sheen that looks perfect in natural light might feel too shiny under overhead pendants, while a glossy sheen might stand out too much in a dark kitchen.
Maintenance
The sheen you choose for your cabinets will affect how easy they are to maintain. Gloss and semi-gloss finishes are the easiest to wipe down, making them ideal for high-traffic areas. Satin sheens also allow for easy cleaning while delivering a soft look that works well in contemporary or transitional interior designs. Mixing sheens can create visual interest, as well—blending a matte island with semi-gloss perimeter cabinets, for example, can make the kitchen feel bright and modern.
Cabinet refinishing professionals will prepare the surface by sanding and priming before applying the new finish. This step is crucial for ensuring that the acrylic, oil, or hybrid polyurethane paint will adhere to the surface and last for as long as possible. In addition, proper prep ensures that the surface will be free of cracks and chips.
Over time, even the most durable cabinet paint can lose its shine due to scrubbing and normal wear and tear. To keep your refinished cabinets looking their best, set up a regular maintenance routine that includes daily cleaning of spills and splatters, weekly dusting, and monthly deep cleaning sessions. Also, be sure to avoid abrasive cleaners and powders, as they can damage the finish.
It’s also important to avoid slamming or banging cabinet doors and drawers, as this can cause scratches and dents. To prevent these problems, use caution when opening and closing them, and keep the weight of items stored inside cabinets in mind to avoid overloading shelves or causing damage to hinges. You can also use cabinet liners to protect the interior of your cabinets from moisture, stains, and scratches.
Although black cabinets are a popular choice for kitchens, they can be harder to maintain than lighter colors because they show fingerprints and dust more prominently. Choosing the right sheen can help minimize these issues, so you can enjoy the sleek appearance of your cabinets for as long as possible.
Budget
When it comes to refinishing cabinets, your budget will have an impact on the finish you choose. Typically, the more expensive options are gloss and semi-gloss. However, you can also use an eggshell or satin finish. The important thing is to get the most bang for your buck, and this can mean opting for a less expensive sheen.
Regardless of the sheen you go with, proper prep is key for getting your cabinet paint to stick and look great. When working with a reputable company like those that specialize in interior painting in Lake Mary, FL, they will ensure your kitchen cabinets are prepped correctly by sanding and priming before applying any type of sheen. This will help your cabinets resist moisture, food splatters and other debris.
While most people think of sheen when they hear the word “paint,” it’s actually a term used to describe how shiny or matte the paint appears after it’s applied and dried. Sheen is determined by how much resin or binder is in the formula, with higher levels of resin creating a glossier appearance. Choosing the right sheen for your cabinets requires thinking about both appearance and durability, as your cabinets will face steam heat, splatters and stains every day.
In addition to defining the overall appearance, cabinet sheens play an important role in how light bounces off the surface and how easily the paint wipes down. Gloss and semi-gloss finishes are the easiest to clean, ideal for high-traffic areas or homes with kids. They also reflect more light, making small spaces feel bigger and brighter. Satin finishes offer a balance between shine and durability, resisting smudges fairly well while providing a touch of elegance.
The best sheens for your refinished cabinets will depend on how much you want to spend and what kind of style you’re looking for. Luckily, it’s easy to find the perfect match by taking advantage of color and sheen samples offered by your local hardware or paint store. Just be sure to ask the person working at the counter about what sheen is right for your space before you make your final decision.