Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/kitchen cabinets

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Expert: - 3/11/2011


Question
We are buying a new construction home and I want to have white cabinets in the kitchen.  The builder only offers a laminate, which I don't want.  My question is what is the difference between birch and maple besides the cost difference, and which would be better to be painted.  My final question is who can I contact as far as painting the cabinets and is this an affordable option?  It is a little overwhelming to think of tackling that project on my own.  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Tracy, Birch and maple are very similar, and should be almost the same money. But paint is not a great choice for kitchen cabinets of any species, and paying someone to paint and clear coat a full kitchen of new cabinets will cost several thousand dollars, and yield a final finish that cannot approach the durability and quality of a factory applied finish. There are a few choices, Thermofoil, and other finishes like catalyzed lacquers and urethanes, which are sprayed on, crosslinking finishes that are many times harder and more durable than paint.If you haven't done so already, go to one of the "big box" home centers and look at the samples of finishes of the kitchen cabinet companies. This will give you an accurate vision of what finishes are available from them,and the overall quality.. and I would strongly advise that you purchase cabinets with a KCMA rated finish, and NOT paint.Your builder should be knowledgable and educated about these finishes, and know the differences and the processes required to apply them, as well as the KCMA rating given to cabinet finishes....it sounds to me like he's not.... and frankly, I'm suspicious of someone who says they only offer laminate...please feel free to post back- regards- Greg

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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