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.
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What Homeowners Should Expect from a Professional Cabinet Painter
why is cabinet refinishing so expensive. how much should I expect to spend on cabinet painting
Save money and refresh your kitchen — a clear cost comparison, key decision factors, and real-world scenarios to help you choose between painting cabinets and buying new. Introduction Refreshing cabinets is one of the highest-impact, budget-friendly ways to update a kitchen. Painting can dramatically change the look for a fraction of the cost of replacement, but it isn’t always the right choice. This guide walks through benefits, offers a straightforward cost analysis, and considers the factors to determine whether painting or replacing your cabinets makes the most sense. Benefits of Painting Cabinets Cost savings : Typically far cheaper than replacement. Painting saves at least 50% of the cost of replacing your doors/drawers (refacing) and is a small fraction of the cost of a full kitchen remodel. Faster turnaround: Most paint jobs can be completed in just a week or less vs. several weeks–months for new cabinetry and installation. Less waste: Lower environmental impact vs. throwing out old cabinets. Customizable : Wide palette of colors, finishes, and hardware options can give your kitchen an entirely different updated look Keeps layout: Preserve kitchen footprint and plumbing/electrical work. When Painting Is the Smart Choice Cabinets are structurally sound (no warped doors, rotten frames, or major hardware issues). You like the existing layout and storage but want a cosmetic refresh. Budget is limited or you want good ROI for resale. You want a quicker project with less disruption. You like the look of your existing cabinet trim style When Replacement Makes More Sense Cabinets are damaged (water rot, warped frames, broken boxes). You need different storage layout or significantly more storage. Existing cabinets are low-quality and won’t hold up long even after paint. You prefer real-wood grain or high-end finishes (unless expensive custom painting or refacing is affordable). You’re renovating to a high-end standard where new custom cabinets are desired. Cost Analysis — Note: Prices are approximate and vary by region, material quality, and contractor. Painting Cabinets (professional) Labor & materials (prep, sanding, priming, painting, spraying doors/drawers multiple coats, reassembly): $2,800–$3,500 (small kitchens), $3,800-$6,000 (medium kitchens), $6,500-$9,000 (large kitchens), $9,500-$17,000 (extra large kitchens) -Spraying boxes will add an additional $1200-2000 to overall cost of quote . Refacing Cabinets (replacing old doors/drawers with new ones) Materials + labor: $4,500–$20,000 (depends on size of kitchen, door styles, veneers, and hardware); ave. cost for mid size kitchen would be around $10,000 for shaker style wood doors. Replacing Cabinets (generally speaking, according to online search) Ready to Assemble (IKEA/stock): $3,000–$8,000 (materials) + $1,000–$4,000 (installation); ave. $10,000 Semi-custom (factory built for individual layout): $8,000–$15,000 (materials) + $15,000-$30,000 (installation); ave. $30,000 Custom : mid range projects generally run $40,000-$80,000 , while higher end can run $120,000+ Key Factors to Evaluate Cabinet condition : Inspect for rot, structural problems, warped doors, broken drawers. Cabinet construction : Solid wood/plywood faces take paint best; laminate or thermofoil requires special prep/primer or refacing. Style compatibility : Some ornate or highly textured doors may not read well when painted; simple styles often look best. Desired finish : High-gloss, matte, distressed, glazed — some finishes, like higher gloss, pinstriping and glazing cost more. Budget and timeline : painting is cost effective budget-friendly option that can be finished in a week and produces long-lasting durable results if done professionally. It gives a quick facelift with minimal disruption to the kitchen. Long-term goals and ROI : Painting offers good short-term ROI and is viewed as an update by appraisors; replacement may add more value if layout/storage or cabinetry quality is a selling point. Environmental impact : Painting retains materials and reduces waste vs. replacement. Hardware and accessories: New knobs, pulls, soft-close hinges, and organizers can multiply perceived value at relatively low cost. Home resale context : In midrange homes, painted cabinets are often sufficient; in luxury markets, buyers may expect custom cabinetry. Practical Steps & Tips Start with a thorough inspection. Replace or upgrade hardware and hinges for big impact. Consider refacing if door fronts are worn but boxes are good. Get 2–3 contractor quotes and ask if they'll do a sample door. Ask pros about warranties and cure times; use durable cabinet-specific paints. Checklist to Decide Quickly Good structure + like layout + limited budget = Paint . Cosmetic wear + functional boxes = Paint & replace limited items that are damaged + new hardware or reface entire kitchen. Structural damage or need new layout = Replace. Conclusion Painting cabinets is a cost-effective, fast, and sustainable way to refresh a kitchen when cabinets are in good structural condition and the layout works. Replacement makes sense if you need changed storage, structural repairs, or a high-end result. Use the cost ranges and decision checklist above to estimate your project and choose the best path. Call to Action Need help deciding what option is best for you? In addition to offering professional cabinet refinishing, we also offer refacing services and can tailor an estimate based on your particular kitchen condition and your goals. We'll give you a thorough assessment and offer practical solutions based on your budget and overall vision. For a $75 fee (which is refunded if you use us), you can have a sample door done to determine scope of work for your project. For an additional cost, you can order a color of choosing for the sample door , otherwise we use a stock color similar to what you may ultimately choose for your project. Call us today or book a free 45 minute estimate with our team today to explore your options.
