Types and materials

Cabinet Finishes

Painted, stained and natural finishes, and how each one wears.

Published: October 6, 2026

Painted

Painted cabinets give a solid, even color. Paint shows chips and hairline cracks at door joints more than stain does, so ask for a touch-up kit and for the name of the color.

If the project involves repainting existing cabinets, confirm that the current surface can be prepared for the proposed coating.

Stained and Natural

Stain adds color while leaving the grain visible; a clear coat alone shows the natural wood. Both hide wear well. Species matters: maple is smooth and even, oak has strong grain, cherry darkens with age, and walnut is naturally dark.

For solid wood custom cabinets, review the stain or clear finish on the actual wood species being quoted. The same finish can look different across species and grain patterns.

Other Finishes

Glazes add depth to detailed doors. Thermofoil and laminate offer consistent color and easy cleaning. Whatever the finish, ask how it is applied and how the manufacturer or shop recommends cleaning it.

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Cabinet Painting

Professional cabinet painting: preparation, finishes and realistic expectations. Kitchen cabinets carry years of grease and handling. A lasting paint job starts with degreasing, sanding and a bonding primer. Doors and drawer fronts are normally removed and sprayed off site or in a contained area, while the frames are finished in place. Cabinet finishes need to be harder than wall paint. Painters use products made for cabinetry and trim, often sprayed for a smooth surface. Ask which product will be used and how long it needs to cure before normal use.

Types and materialsAugust 25, 2026

Cabinet Materials

Solid wood, plywood, MDF and particleboard, and what each is used for. Cabinet boxes are usually plywood or particleboard. Plywood is lighter, holds screws well and tolerates moisture better. Particleboard, often faced with melamine, is less expensive and stable when kept dry. Either can make a durable cabinet when it is thick enough and well assembled. Solid hardwood such as maple, oak, cherry, hickory or walnut is standard for stained doors and face frames. MDF is common for painted doors because it is smooth and does not expand and contract the way wood does, so paint is less likely to crack at the joints.

Types and materialsSeptember 15, 2026

Cabinet Styles

Shaker, raised-panel and slab doors, and the difference between traditional, transitional and modern. The door does most of the work. A Shaker door has a flat center panel in a square frame and suits almost any house. Raised-panel doors have a profiled center panel. Slab doors are a single flat panel with no frame. Traditional kitchens use raised-panel or detailed doors, crown molding and furniture-style details. Modern kitchens use slab doors, minimal hardware and clean lines. Transitional kitchens sit between the two, typically with a Shaker door and simple molding.

Shaker, raised-panel and slab sample doors

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Cabinet Doors

Door styles, overlay types, and replacing doors without replacing cabinets. Shaker doors have a flat center panel in a square frame. Raised-panel doors have a profiled center panel and read as traditional. Slab doors are a single flat panel and read as modern. Glass-front doors are used as accents. Full-overlay doors cover nearly all of the cabinet face. Partial-overlay doors leave part of the face frame visible. Inset doors sit inside the frame, flush with it; they need precise fitting and cost more.

cabinet boxes being fitted with new doors

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Cabinet Refacing

New doors, drawer fronts and veneer over existing boxes: how it works and when it makes sense. The existing doors and drawer fronts are removed. Exposed box surfaces and face frames are covered with matching wood veneer or laminate, and new doors, drawer fronts and hardware are installed. Hinges are usually replaced, and drawer boxes and slides can be upgraded at the same time. Refacing suits kitchens with a layout you are happy with and boxes that are structurally sound. It does not fix a poor layout, damaged boxes or worn-out drawers unless those are replaced too. Countertops can usually stay in place, which is a large part of the savings.

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Bathroom Cabinets & Vanities

Vanities, linen cabinets and built-in storage for rooms that see daily moisture. Bathroom cabinetry usually means a vanity, sometimes with a linen tower, medicine cabinet or built-in shelving. Vanities come as freestanding furniture-style pieces, standard cabinet boxes, or wall-hung units that leave the floor clear. Stock vanities come in set widths; semi-custom and custom work fits the wall you have. Bathrooms are hard on cabinets. Plywood boxes and a durable, well-sealed finish hold up better than particleboard, which swells when water gets into it. Pay attention to the bottom edges of doors and the area around the sink, and make sure the room has a working exhaust fan.

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