Unfinished Cabinet Doors Help You Save
Many homeowners do not know that they can purchase unfinished cabinet doors to save on their kitchen or bathroom remodeling costs. But, where can you get unfinished cabinet doors? At CabinetNow, all of our cabinet doors and drawer fronts are available to be ordered unfinished. You can purchase our unfinished cabinet doors any time from our website, and we will ship them right to your door.
However, you may also be wondering how unfinished cabinet doors can save you money. These cabinet doors can help you save one in two distinct ways. The first is that unfinished cabinet doors are cheaper than their painted or pre-primed counterparts. The second way unfinished materials help you save is that you can do the finishing yourself, and the DIY method is normally cheaper than hiring professionals. In this quick blog, we are going to take a look at the benefits of ordering unfinished cabinet doors for your kitchen or bathroom remodel.
What Does Unfinished Actually Mean?
If you are new to cabinetry or are just starting planning and researching your project, then you may not know exactly what we mean when we say โ unfinished cabinet doors.โ Donโt worry, it does not mean that you have any assembly to do when your doors arrive. It simply means that the door will not receive any paint, primer, or clear coat before it is shipped to you. But, this does not mean that you have to worry about sanding down the doors to prepare for finishing, as we take care of this step for you. All of our unfinished cabinet doors are sanded to 220-grit before they leave, so they are ready to be finished when they arrive.
Get the Finish You Want
Aside from saving money, one of the best benefits of ordering unfinished cabinet doors is that you will get to pick the exact finish you want. Typically, you are given a list of paint colors to choose from if you want to order painted cabinet doors. However, it would be unrealistic to expect these lists to feature colors that satisfy every homeowner. And so, ordering your doors unfinished allows you to pick out exactly the color you need.
Plus, if you are only replacing a few cabinet doors, leaving them unfinished will allow you to match them to the rest of the room after they arrive. A color might look close enough, or even just right, online or in the store. However, when placed alongside the rest of your kitchen, it will stick out like a sore thumb if it is not an exact match. Additionally, if you have an older kitchen, it is possible that the color of your cabinets has changed over time due to light exposure and use.
Perfect for Staining
Unfinished cabinet doors are also great for staining. We offer a select wood grade that has our most even color and grain. It is normally best to stain your doors on site, as you may have to apply additional coats to achieve the exact tone you are wanting.
Pro Tip: Use a wood conditioner before applying your stain to ensure the best results.
Below, you will find a list of the high-quality, solid wood options available today on CabinetNow:
Tips for Finishing Unfinished Cabinet Doors
Painting or staining cabinets can be a time-consuming process, especially so if you have never done it before. And so, we wanted to share some pieces of advice to help you achieve the best result that you can.
Ideal Conditions
Most people donโt think too much about the weather when planning their home projects. We might opt for a day that isnโt raining or too hot or too cold, but the consideration typically doesnโt go past whether or not it will be comfortable to work. However, this is not always advisable. If you are planning to finish your new or replacement cabinet doors, then you will need to carefully schedule a time to do this. You will want to pick a day when the temperature will be around 70-degrees fahrenheit, with humidity in the range of 50-70%.
Ventilation
Proper ventilation is vital to your cabinet finishing project. The first reason is that the continual flow of air will help your finish dry faster on your cabinet doors. The second, and more important reason, is that proper ventilation can help protect you from any harmful fumes that may be present. Be sure to check any and all manufacturer warns and safety guidelines before you get started.
Take Your Time
As mentioned above, finishing your cabinets can be a difficult task. And so, you should take it slow and go easy on yourself. Typically, for the best results, professionals will use paint or stain sprayers. However, these tools can be not only expensive, but they also tend to have a steeper learning curve. If you are not interested in buying or renting a sprayer, you can use brushes and rollers to apply your finish. Whichever route you choose, take enough time to ensure that you are applying even strokes and wiping away any excess.
Note for Stain: Always apply stain in the direction of the grain pattern. This includes any excess that needs to be wiped away.
Finishing Up
As you can see, ordering your cabinet doors unfinished will help you save money on your budget. However, you will have to finish these doors in some manner to protect them and to make sure they last as long as possible. Above were just a few tips from our Cabinetry Finishing Guide, which provides more information and resources for tackling this project. However, if you arenโt feeling up to the task of finishing your unfinished cabinet doors, we also offer thermofoil cabinet doors. These doors arrive fully finished so that all you need to take care of is mounting. These doors are available in a wide variety of colors and textures, which means you shouldnโt have to worry about finding what you are looking for in your kitchen.
If you are ready to start ordering or if you need assistance, please feel free to call us at 1-855-669-5222 or send us an email at info@cabinetnow.com. Our team of cabinet experts is here to help with everything from measuring to ordering.