Are you thinking about painting the cabinets in your home? If so, you’ve probably thought about how you should go about doing it. For starters, hiring a professional painter in Toronto to paint your cabinets is the first step, and can be a great way to extend the life of existing cabinets but still give your space a much-needed facelift.

Additionally, if your cabinets are in good condition but the colour is faded or outdated, a fresh coat of paint is a great option. And, if you want the best finish possible, there’s no alternative to hiring professional painters in Toronto to do it.

Spray Finish vs Fine Brush & Roller What Option is Best for Cabinet Painting

Cabinet Painting: What to Expect?

A big obstacle when it comes to painting your cabinets is the method of which you will apply the paint. After you’ve figured out what colour you want to go with and the professional painting company you want to hire, you’ll be advised with the suggested method of application.

So, what option is best for cabinet painting in your home? At Encore Painting, we use both methods of application, spray finish as well as fine brush and roller. Below, we’ve outlined the basics on each method and how to understand what option is best for you.

Spray Painting vs. Fine Brush & Roller 

As mentioned, we use two methods for painting cabinets: spray painting and fine brush and roller. 

Spray painting cabinets involves using a paint sprayer to evenly apply each coat of paint over the cabinet doors. Although the terms sound similar, our method of spray painting cabinetry has nothing to do with using cans of spray paint.

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. Another area ideal for spraying is detailed millwork. For example, we recommended spraying over hand brush and roller on fireplace mantle pieces, built-in shelves, bookcases and sometimes, kitchen cabinets.

Like everything else though, there are pros and cons to every method of doing things. Spray paint, for example, is more expensive; the application of paint by spray gun as well as the time it takes to set up the equipment and protect everything else in a room adds to the overall cost of the project.

Fine brush painting and roller, on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like; the method involved using a paintbrush or roller to apply the paint. This method is not always the most durable option (spraying cabinet doors usually provides a more durable, even-looking finish), but is recommended for smaller cabinet projects, as it’s the most cost-effective option. In fact, brush and roll finish projects will typically save you about 25% off the cost of spraying.

In addition, if you’re looking to repaint older or more traditional woodwork, we would recommend brush painting, so that even brush strokes can be applied to maintain the natural look of the wood. For some, brushstrokes feel right, as they wish to encompass a more rustic feel. Some would call it an “old-school” look, and we’ve had many clients, designers and contractors who specify that look on projects. Another consideration is that hand-brushed cabinets will be easier and more forgiving if there are evident nicks, chips, or dents to touch up.


Our 4-Step Cabinet Painting Process

Once we’ve determined the right method of cabinet painting for you, we can then finish the quoting process based on the steps taken during the cabinet painting project. Whether your cabinets are finished with brush and roll or with spraying, we will include the following four steps:

(1) Sanding/de-gloss/ fix imperfections: this includes cleaning all surfaces as well as  repairing any damaged areas, filling dents and holes.

(2) Extreme bond primer: an important step to refinishing cabinets, as it not only provides a more suitable surface for the paint to stick to, but it also covers imperfections.

(3) Apply two coats of urethane paint: whether spraying or using a fine brush and roll, applying two coats of paint will ensure an even, more durable finish. We will employ the fine brush and roll technique on the cabinetry bases even if the doors are being sprayed. Note – anything that can’t be removed will be brushed and rolled on site.

(4) Install handles & doors to casings: this includes the reassembling of the cabinets and installing new or existing hardware to cabinet doors.

Expert Cabinet Painting in Toronto, Ontario 

While there is no one size fits all solution to cabinet painting, there can be a better-suited option for your individual project. We tend to spray when the opportunity presents itself or when the customer is looking for a long-lasting, superior finish, but we’ll certainly recommend fine brush and roller if it’s a more suitable option for you.

Learn more about our professional cabinet painting services in Toronto, including spray cabinetry and fine brush and roller techniques, or get a free virtual painting estimate today.