Sprayed Vs Rolled Cabinets
Heather Perkins • November 3, 2023
We offer both options...what's best for you?
At A La Carte Cabinet Painting, we believe in giving you options when it comes to painting your cabinets. One of the decisions you may need to make is whether to have your cabinet boxes sprayed or hand rolled. There are a few factors to consider, such as the desired finish, the condition of your cabinets, and your budget. We'll help you weigh these factors and guide you towards the best option for your specific needs. Let's chat and find the perfect solution for you!
A La Carte Cabinet Painting will remove your existing doors and drawers and bring them back to our workshop to be airless sprayed. Your remaining cabinet carcass or boxes will need to be painted separately and you'll need to decide whether you'd like your boxes sprayed or hand rolled. Both services offer a beautiful professional finish but there are differences you may want to consider. Below are factors to help you determine which option works best for you:
- Do you have lots of intricate trim details, glass cabinets, bookcases, wine displays, or cubbies? If you answered yes, to any of the latter, you may be a good candidate for having your boxes sprayed. While hand rolling is n option if you only have a couple of these items, if you have several deep hard to reach by hand or highly detailed areas, we recommend spraying as your best bet.
- Do you have large endcaps where natural or artificial light shines on the surface? If the answer is yes, spraying may be recommended as we can't guarantee absolutely flawless hand rolled in highlighted areas. Any hand rolled or painted job is subject to possible imperfections in certain lighting. When cabinet boxes are sprayed, the paint goes on in heavier layers than hand rolled. It takes several coats of hand rolled paint to equal 2 coats of sprayed.
- Do you have easy access to ventilation sources for a spray job? When we spray, we need a fresh air intake and an area we can safely exhaust overspray. Windows, sliders and doors are essential to setting up a spray barrier. If your space can't accommodate a proper flow of air, spraying isn't an option.
- Space accessibility: spraying gives the homeowner limited accessibility to their space for the duration of the project. A spray barrier is set up around the area with a zipper for entry to the space for 2-3 days or until the spraying is completed. Space is entirely masked and unusable druing this time.
- Cost: spraying is significantly more than hand rolling boxes. Material cost for ensuring proper masking of all openings, flooring, walls and ceiling accounts for the vast difference in cost along with the added potential risk of contamination throughout the house (hvac should be shut off to prevent full house contamination). The final spray job product is superior to any hand rolled job.
- Added cost of interior painting: if you choose to have your boxes sprayed, you may also have to pay an extra cost to have your interior walls and/or ceiling in the area repainted as well. While all openings, adjacent walls and part of the ceiling is masked, overspray can still occur despite painter's best efforts. Be prepared for the extra cost of additional painting if you're having your boxes sprayed. This cost should be factored into overall project scope.
At A La Carte Cabinet Painting our expert consultants will help you determine which option is desirable for your particular unique circumstances. We guarantee you'll be satisfied with either option.
Share Post
Damaged MDF: Should You Repair or Replace? MDF, or Medium Density Fiberboard, is a popular material in cabinetry due to its smooth finish and versatility. However, over time and with exposure to moisture, wear, and tear, MDF can become damaged. When faced with damaged MDF, homeowners often grapple with a crucial decision: should they repair or replace the affected pieces? This article explores the factors to consider when making this choice, ensuring your cabinetry remains functional and aesthetically pleasing. #### Overall Age of Existing Cabinetry One of the first considerations is the age of your cabinets. If your cabinetry exceeds 12 years, it may be wise to evaluate whether repair is worth the investment. Older cabinetry might not only show visible damage but also lack modern conveniences that newer models offer. For instance, if your MDF doors currently utilize exterior hinges, you could opt for new doors that accommodate concealed hinges, providing a sleeker look. Furthermore, upgrading to a soft-close feature can enhance usability, making everyday life just a little bit easier. Therefore, if your cabinetry is aging, consider replacing damaged items as an opportunity to modernize your space. #### Amount and Severity of Damage The extent and severity of the damage are also pivotal in making your decision. If only a few pieces are affected and the damage is minimal, repairing may be a feasible option. This typically involves a detailed process where a refinisher removes the existing thermfoil and its adhesives, carves out any swollen or damaged areas, and fills them with Bondo or epoxy. While these repairs require skilled labor and can be costly, they often result in a restored appearance without the need for full replacement. Conversely, if numerous cabinets exhibit damage or the deterioration is severe, replacing doors and drawers could prove more practical in the long run. #### Budget Considerations Budget constraints play a vital role in any home improvement decision. Refacing an entire kitchen tends to cost significantly more than simply painting existing cabinetry. If you find yourself with only a couple of damaged items, consult a refinisher about matching the trim profile for specific replacements. However, if matching is impossible, you'll need to weigh the viability of repairing the damaged MDF against refacing the entire kitchen. A thorough assessment of your budget will help guide your choice, ensuring you achieve the best results without overspending. #### Professional Guidance for Your MDF Needs If you’re uncertain about the best course of action for your damaged MDF cabinets, consider seeking the advice of professionals. Companies like A La Carte Cabinet Painting can provide insights tailored to your unique situation. They will assess the condition of your cabinetry, discuss available options, and help you make an informed decision that aligns with your aesthetic and financial goals. In conclusion, deciding whether to repair or replace damaged MDF cabinetry hinges on several factors, including the age of your existing cabinets, the extent of the damage, and your budget. By carefully weighing these elements, you can choose the best solution for your home. Don't hesitate to reach out for expert guidance to ensure your cabinetry remains beautiful and functional for years to come. Schedule a free consultation today and discover how to breathe new life into your cabinetry!
Adding color to your cabinets is a big decision and one that defines the look of your space. While choosing a trending color can be tempting, it often creates a look that feels temporarily "updated" rather than timeless. Making a long-lasting, thoughtful color cam feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. In this guide, we'll explore some upcoming design trends and color suggestions that may align perfectly with your future cabinet painting project! Color Trend Forecast: A Return to Warmth Color trend prediction isn't a hard science-it's an evolving blend of industry insight, expert intuition and countless hours of cultural and market research. Trends are cyclical; what's old often becomes new again. In recent years, we've seen the rise of bright whites and cool tones dominating design, especially in kitchens---think clean lines, circular silhouettes, Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, and Chantilly Lace bright white cabinetry. However, a subtle but steady shift is underway. Consumers are beginning to move away from stark, high-contrast whites and cool minimalism. In their place, we're seeing a growing embrace of warmer, softer off-white and greige tones that evoke comfort and character without sacrificing brightness. Looking ahead to this year and beyond, the future of interior design is leaning toward warmth, personality, and a sense of intimacy. Spaces are becoming more inviting, personal, and emotionally resonant-less showroom-perfect and more lived-in and loved. Below is a list of some of our all time favorite colors that exude warmth characterized by color family: Blacks & Browns #1. Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze : a rich dark grounding greige with green leaning #2. Sherwin Williams Black Fox : a beguiling black neutral with a warm greige undertone #3. Benjamin Moore Dragon's Breath : a deep dark gray-brown with a touch of green #4. Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron : a popular accent color with slight purple undertone #5. S herwin Williams Black Magic : warm, timeless and sophisticated black Off Whites #1. Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee : with a light reflectance value of 83, this beige leaning off white goes perfect with warm granites #2. Benjamin Moore Seapearl: slightly darker than it's brother color Swiss Coffee, this versatile off white can lean a little cool too #3. Benjamin Moore Ballet White : more warm depth but not a yellow white. #4. Sherwin Williams Alabaster: a popular choice for soft white cabinets keeping your look bright but inviting #5. Benjamin Moore White Dove : a top contender for its neutrality this color is similar to Swiss Coffee but less beige. Light Greiges #1. Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray : timeless, earthy organic taupe greige with hints of beige and green #2. Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter: an iconi. c neutral color that adapts beautifully to its environment #3. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray : ultra light greige that behaves more like an off white #4. Magnolia Homes Gatherings: this is a golden gray with amber, beige and a wink of green undertones #5. Benjamin Moore Pale Oak: a light neutral taupe greige with subtle purple-pink undertones When considering your palette, warm greens with earthy leanings are especially grounding and soothing like Benjamin Moore's Dark Olive or Sherwin Williams Night Owl . For a more dramatic and saturated statement consider incorporating a deep sophisticated burgandy like Farrow and Ball's Brinjal . This evokes depth and warmth and pairs symbiotically with accents of burnished gold, warm natural woods and fabrics with hints of red or gray undertones. To add a touch of classic coolness, a refined blue like Benjamin Moore's Britannia Blue can be striking. It balances wonderfully when anchored with warm neutrals like Revere Pewter, offering a harmonious blend of warmth and contrast across the space. At A La Carte Cabinet Painting, we offer complementary expert color guidance for our clients, helping them choose the perfect hue for your space---creating a timeless and personalized look that reflects their unique style. Need help picking the perfect cabinet color? Book a free estimate and schedule a color consultation today! As the owner of A La Carte Cabinet Painting , Heather Perkins, has a Bachelor of Arts and a strong foundation in color theory staying attuned to evolving design trends to assist clients in creating spaces that are both timeless and on-trend.
Painting your cabinets can completely transform your kitchen or bathroom, but to get durable long-lasting professional results, it's critical to understand a little bit about the difference in cabinet coatings. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know before you paint in the order of durability: Types of Cabinet Coatings Acrylic Paint (water-based) -Examples: Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane, Behr Cabinet & Trim Enamel Pros: Easy-to-use, fast drying, can readily purchase at retail store, less expensive, DIY non-professional use Cons: Less durable than oil-based, 2 component (2k), solvent based products. Hand oils break down coating over time. Alkyd Paint (synthetic oil-based or water-based) -Examples: Behr premium urethane alkyd enamel, Benjamin Moore Advance Pros: hard, durable finish suitable for high traffic areas, relatively fast dry time, UV resistant Cons: longer cure time, longer-lasting smell, hand oils can break down finish. Lacquers -Examples: Sherwin Williams Sher-Wood Kem Aqua, General Finishes Enduro, Lenmar, Pros: quick drying, used in professional applications, smooth finish, high gloss capability, moisture/chemical resistant if catalyzed. Cons: if not catalyzed, can become brittle and yellow over time. Polyurethanes (solvent or water-based) -Examples: ICRO, Renner, Milesi, Ilva, Sherwin Williams Gallery Series, Centurion Pros: quick-drying, extremely durable, can be catalyzed for more durability, UV/chemical resistant, low VOC, manufacturer-like finish, high-traffic use. Designed to be sprayed, but can also be rolled with correct technique. Cons: more expensive, must be professionally applied. Conversion Varnish -High-end, factory-applied finish, professional application only Pros: long-lasting, most durable finish available Cons: Factory shot, most refinishing shops don't shoot this type of finish. At A La Carte Cabinet Painting we understand that choosing the right product for finishing cabinets involves balancing functionality, aesthetic preferences, skill level and overall budget. That's why we've chosen to specialize in eco-conscious, Italian-made water-based polyurethane wood coatings-a premium solution that delivers both beauty and durability. We proudly offer: Eco-friendly Italian Polyurethane Finishes: designed for long-lasting performance, these coatings are not only environmentally responsible but also guaranteed not to yellow, chip, or peel when properly applied. Professional Spray Application : Doors and drawers are professionally sprayed for a smooth, factory-quality look. You also have the option to choose between spray or rolled cabinet boxes, depending on your needs and budget. Partnership with Hartley Group Distributors: as one of the first adopters of these premium European products in the U.S., we've partnered with The Hartley Group of Cornelius, NC to bring this innovative coatings system to the Raleigh, NC market. Whether you're upgrading your kitchen, bathroom, or built-ins, our high-performance water-based finishes are a smart, stylish and sustainable choice!
