What is the most durable kitchen cabinet finish?

Melamine finishes are some of the most durable and versatile cabinet finishes out there! Cabinets with a melamine finish are made by heat-sealing thermally fused melamine resin (TFM) to a hard wood substrate such as pressed wood, medium-density fiberboard, or plywood.
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What is the most durable kitchen cabinet material?

Hardwood. Arguably the most durable material for kitchen cabinets, hardwood is solid wood. Some hardwood types, such as hickory or maple, will resist scratching and denting more than softwood species like walnut and mahogany. However, the former will cost more due to durability and overall quality.
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What finish is best for kitchen cabinets?

The Best Finish for Kitchen Cabinets

Semi-gloss: This is the best choice when painting kitchen cabinets. Because it has some sheen, semi-gloss paint will help reflect light and be more durable in the long run, which is important in a kitchen environment.
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What is the hardest paint finish for cabinets?

Acrylic vs. Alkyd Paint vs. Oil Paint
  • Water-based acrylic paint does not leave the same chemical odor as oil-based. ...
  • Alkyd paints, which are often thought of as oil-based, do not have oil in their makeup. ...
  • Oil paint is the hardest, most durable paint to use for painting cabinets.
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Is satin or semi gloss better for kitchen cabinets?

While satin finishes tend to be fairly durable in high traffic areas, they're not as durable and versatile as semi-gloss against mildew and mold. Kitchen cabinets in high moisture environments can, therefore, do better with semi-gloss paints.
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Cabinet Finish Options



Is semi-gloss too shiny for kitchen cabinets?

If you're looking for a luxurious finish that makes your kitchen feel cozy, then eggshell finish is the best paint finish for kitchen cabinets. It is also easier to clean and can better hide scratches and dirt. However, if you want a safe finish which makes the kitchen space seem larger, then semi-gloss is your friend.
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Should kitchen cabinets be glossy?

If you are looking to maximize space, a gloss kitchen could be perfect. The shiny surface of the gloss finish bounces and reflects light, creating the illusion of more space. This is especially useful in smaller kitchens, or if you would like your kitchen to feel larger.
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What do professionals use to paint kitchen cabinets?

Many professionals now use latex paint, citing the improvements to the formula and the as-good-as finish they can get on most surfaces. We actually prefer a third type of paint for cabinets, the hybrid enamel.
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Do painted kitchen cabinets scratch easily?

Even it will scratch in the right circumstances. Paint just shows a lot more wear and tear than stain.
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What paint has the hardest finish?

In general, enamel paint refers to any paint that has incredible durability and dries to a tough, hard finish that can withstand a lot of abuse. If a paint can label has the word “enamel”, you can be sure that it's some of the toughest paint around.
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Is acrylic coating better than laminate for kitchen cabinets?

Since most lighting tends to highlight the upper cabinets, use acrylic finishes on them for a glossy, attractive look. Laminate is a good choice for lower cabinets since they are likely to see more wear and tear. You can choose textures and colours that complement each other for a coordinated look.
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Are lacquered cabinets durable?

Lacquer-finished kitchen cabinets are highly durable and resistant to damage particularly from acid, alkali, water, and abrasions.
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What is the most durable finish for wood?

Oil-based polyurethane is the most durable finish you can apply by hand, and catalyzed lacquer and varnish are the most durable sprayed finishes.
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Are thermofoil cabinets good?

Durability-wise, thermofoil stands up to daily use and general wear and tear better than a painted cabinet. The finish holds up strongly against regular household damage such as water spills or light hand scratches due to its plastic coating.
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How long will MDF cabinets last?

Around the 5-7 year point, an MDF kitchen will exhibit significant age and wear signs. Although an MDF kitchen may be a less expensive option for a quick refresh, read on if you want something that will last!
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What are cheap kitchen cabinets made of?

Of the three materials, Plywood is the best option for cheap kitchen cabinets. While you can still get nice MDF or particleboard cabinets, we would say to look for plywood. Our least expensive cabinets are plywood boxes with solid wood doors. They are quality construction for a cheap price.
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Why you shouldn't paint your cabinets?

Detailed Patterns, Warped or Damaged Cabinets

If your cabinets have detailed patterns or they are warped, chipped, cracked or have other damage to them, then painting your kitchen cabinets is not the way to go – it most definitely won't solve your cabinet problem.
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How do I keep my painted cabinets from chipping?

Buy cabinet door bumper pads and stick them to the corners of doors and drawers to prevent paint chipping when the doors bump onto the frames. These are small cork, vinyl or felt pads and available at hardware stores.
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How do I make my cabinets scratch resistant?

How to Prevent Scratches on Kitchen Cabinetry
  1. Dust or vacuum the surface of your kitchen cabinets regularly to prevent the buildup of grit, dirt and dust that might scratch the surface. ...
  2. Keep your cabinets dry if they are made from wood, as consistent moisture can corrupt the finish.
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Are painted kitchen cabinets durable?

Painted kitchen cabinets can be very durable and look as good as new a decade after painting. But only if they are painted right. The durability of painted kitchen cabinets depends on the type of paint used, the application method and the number of coats applied.
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Is it better to spray paint or brush paint kitchen cabinets?

Ideally, spray painting cabinets is the most sought after method today. The quality of finish you get from using a spray gun is second to none, and it's by far a faster and more efficient method.
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Is it better to roll or brush paint cabinets?

For wood, brushing is fine, but you may want to hire a professional for a good finish. Using a roller to paint cabinets is a lot faster than brush painting, however, the fabric on the roller will create a 'bobbly' texture on the surface. The texture a roller puts on cabinets makes it unsuitable for gloss paint.
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Do high-gloss kitchens scratch easily?

While gloss kitchens are easier to clean, they also need to be cleaned more often as those dirty marks and fingerprints will show up more easily. Another downside, particularly with acrylic gloss units, is that they're quite easy to scratch. While they will buff out, it takes time and effort to buff out scratches.
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Are high-gloss cabinets durable?

The high-gloss lacquer finish will make your kitchen feel larger. Durable and Tough. Kitchen cabinets with high-gloss lacquer finishes will be clear longer. They will also last longer because they will not flake.
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Is glossy or matte better for kitchen cabinets?

Glossy finish reflects a lot of light, thus fingerprints and dust particles are easily visible on this surface. Opt for matte finish cabinets if you plan to let your help work in it more than you would.
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