When a kitchen starts to look dated, most people assume the cabinets have to go. Sometimes they do. But in a lot of the Montreal kitchens we walk into, the cabinets are perfectly solid — it's only the finish that's tired. Here's how to tell the difference.
Start with the boxes, not the doors. Open every cabinet and look inside. Are the shelves flat? Are the sides and bottoms dry and firm, or has particleboard swollen and crumbled under the sink? Do the hinges hold, or are the screw holes stripped out? If the boxes are sound, you have a kitchen worth painting.
Next, look at the layout. Painting changes how a kitchen looks; it doesn't change how it works. If you hate where the fridge is, need more counter space, or want to knock out a wall, no finish will fix that — that's a renovation. If the layout works and you just don't like the look, painting is the smarter spend.
Then consider what the cabinets are made of. Solid wood and good-quality MDF take paint beautifully. Melamine and laminate can be painted with the right sanding and bonding primer. Thermofoil is the one to be careful with: if it's already peeling or bubbling near the stove or dishwasher, it has to be dealt with before anything else.
The cost difference is significant. Replacing cabinets means removing the old ones, buying new cabinetry, and usually replacing or re-cutting countertops, reconnecting plumbing and patching walls and floors. Painting keeps all of that in place. For most kitchens, a professional paint job costs a fraction of replacement and is finished in days rather than weeks.
What painting can't do is make low-quality cabinets high-quality. If doors are warped, drawer boxes are falling apart, or the whole kitchen is water-damaged, paint is a short-term cover-up. We'll tell you that directly rather than sell you a finish that won't last.
Finally, think about how long you're staying. If you're selling within a year or two, a neutral repaint is one of the best returns you can get before listing. If you're staying, painting lets you pick a colour you really love now — and it can be refreshed again later.
Not sure which camp your kitchen falls into? Call AMF Coatings at (514) 249-7360. We'll look at the cabinets with you and give you an honest answer, even if that answer is replacement.