An often asked question is about the type of paint used for cabinets and if there is any difference between it and that used for walls. There are distinctions due to the fact that cabinets and walls are very distinct surfaces, and the type of paint usually used for interior walls will face some difficulties when trying to apply them to kitchen cabinets.
Most kitchen cabinets have smooth surfaces because of the materials used in their design to give them that elegant appearance. Typical wall paints might not stick sufficiently to cabinets or begin chipping or flaking away prematurely. The type of paint professionals choose for cabinets contains adhesives that allows it to stick to these slippery surfaces better, and is also usually thicker to ensure longer durability. The chemicals and structure of cabinet paint also necessitates extended drying and curing times than those generally applied to walls.
Comparing cabinet painting contractors to uncover the best one for your specifications and style requires a substantial amount of consideration. A good place to start is by knowing exactly what aesthetic you're trying to accomplish with your kitchen cabinets. You should ask contractors to see a sample of their past work similar to your vision beforehand to get a feel for their experience and skill. Reliable contractors will be more than happy to accommodate this request, and many retain a portfolio for potential clients to browse through on their website.
You should have a set budget in mind while choosing professional cabinet painting contractors, as prices sometimes fluctuate widely. Check that any contractor you hire provides documentation of all material and labor costs as well as clear verbal communication throughout the process about it's expected completion. The last thing you need is for any surprises to occur once the project commences that can raise costs higher than you planned for.
Give attention to the professional's reliability by assessing their online client reviews. Most professional painters will have comments and reviews from previous clients for view online, and these are also a great way to find out if they have a history of delivering the services you expect on time and within budget.
It's always enticing to quickly begin painting and get your kitchen remodeling project going, but there is some prep that needs to happen first to ensure your cabinets look great and are protected from the heavy-use they will likely see in the future. Cabinet painting will quickly turn into an overwhelming task when doing it alone, but an expert can quickly and effectively bring your vision to life beginning with the most important prepping stage of cleaning, sanding, and priming:
- Cleaning: It's crucial that all dirt or grime are fully removed from cabinet surfaces before painting or staining or it could hinder their adherence. The cleaning stage is also a good time to disassemble the cabinets and its hardware, like drawers, knobs, hinges, etc., to make the next steps easier and more effective.
- Sanding: The good news is that efficiencies in home improvement have made great strides, and there are products today which professionals use to make one of these prepping steps a breeze. Deglossers, also called liquid sandpaper, is a chemical abrasive that easily strips gloss from cabinet surfaces so that the long process of sanding in the traditional way is virtually obsolete. Deglossers will also penetrate to any edges that are exceedingly difficult to get to with traditional sandpaper.
- Priming: Priming is mandatory in many cases, as it serves many important purposes for the painting that follows, such as enabling better adhesion, preventing stains and imperfections from showing through, and providing a protective layer over the cabinet surface. If the existing paint was oil-based and you apply a latex paint before priming, it will only peel off and need to be repainted sooner than you'd like.
There are several things that play into the price of getting your kitchen cabinets professionally painted, including the size and complexity of your kitchen, the number of cabinets, what type of paint is needed, and the labor costs of the contractor. In Shoreline, WA, you will pay anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for a professional cabinet painter, and it's recommended to first obtain quotes from multiple professionals listed on the Thumbtack site to gain an accurate estimate based on your requirements and vision.
- Kitchen Size or Number of Cabinets: Depending on the complexity of your kitchen cabinets and the scope of your project, painters might bill you according to square footage or by individual cabinet doors and drawers.
- Kind of Paint and Finish: The painter will need to recoup the price of paint and other equipment if you aren't providing them, and these generally vary by quality. Per-gallon cost of paints used with cabinet refinishing range anywhere from twenty to one hundred dollars or more for designer brands with one gallon typically being enough for the average kitchen.
- Labor: Labor will be your biggest expense when paying for professional cabinet painting, but your schedule could also raise or lower the overall cost depending on what time of the year or how fast you want the job finished.
You'll need to discuss your home's particular cabinets and layout as well as your ideas for them with more than one contractor to find the best price.