What are advantages for using RTF material for new kitchen cabinets installation or doors and drawer fronts for refacing kitchen cabinets?

There is no advantage to using RTF finished cabinets, doors or drawer fronts for cabinet refacing or new cabinets. Here's why:

• They look OK after installation but over the time they start yellowing and discoloring.
• They can’t be touched up without a noticeable difference.
• They are not perfectly smooth and have some texture.
• They come in limited spectrum of colors.
• They come only in satin sheen, no semi-gloss or gloss sheen available.
• If you replace a door or drawer front under warranty, the new component will have different color since aging and oxidation process changes the color of RTF.
• They are not cheaper than other kind of cabinets and often more expensive.
• The core is either MDF or particle board, easy to break and impossible to fix so it's not noticeable.
• Edges of doors, drawer fronts, and frames tend to peel off.
• Pretty often bubbles occur on flat surface of panels. MDF or particle board easily swell and disintegrate if exposed to wet or very warm condition

Solid wood cabinet doors, drawer fronts and panels are the best choice for any cabinet project, new or refaced kitchen and bathroom. The can be finished with solid color enamel or stained. Example of the damage common to RTF cabinets:

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What are advantages of traditionally finished kitchen cabinets with primer and enamel?

There are plenty of advantages of using traditionally finished new cabinets, or doors and drawer fronts for refacing.

• If properly done, they surpass in quality and durability any other finishes like RTF or lacquer.

• They are smooth, washable and lasting finish.

• They come in unlimited spectrum of colors.

• They come in all sheens: flat, satin, eggshell, semi-gloss, gloss and high-gloss.

• They are easily to touch up without noticing the difference.

• They don’t yellow like RTF or lacquer. However, they get a little bit darker. Even after touching up, a new spot will blend with the old finish.

• If you use a proper, stain blocking and bonding primer, enamel can be used on almost any kind of material cabinets are made from.

• If solid wood is used for cabinets, doors, drawer fronts and panels, if right primer and enamel is used for finish coating, you get the best product available. Finish is smooth, washable, durable, lasting and easy to touch up.

Traditional finishes with primers and enamels surpass all other finishes as: lacquers, conversion varnishes or tinted polyurethanes. See what can happen if you install new cabinets or reface them with doors finished with tinted lacquer or conversion varnish, or if you refinish existing cabinets with tinted lacquer or conversion varnish:

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What are advantages for using lacquer finishes for new kitchen cabinets, or doors and drawer fronts for refacing kitchen cabinets.

Lacquer finishes have few advantages. Here's why:

• Initially, lacquer finishes look good but after a short time they start changing the color due to aging and oxidation process.

What does a cabinet refinisher do?

A cabinet refinisher uses cabinetry techniques like sanding, staining, painting, refacing, etc. to improve or alter the appearance of cabinets. We use traditional European cabinetry methods and materials like enamel finishes over the quicker but less durable ones that are usually employed, like lacquer or vinyl.