If you plan to paint your replacement cabinet doors, you will want to choose a wood species that works well with paint. Most wood types can be painted. However, wood types might be more challenging than others to get a professional, even finish. Here's how to find the best wood for painted cabinets.
Characteristics of the Best Wood to Paint for Cabinets
When exploring different wood types for your project, there are several characteristics you'll want to look for in the wood type. The three main factors to consider for paint-grade wood for cabinets include:
Grain Pattern
You'll want to look for wood with a fine, even grain pattern. Wood types like knotty hickory or oak have more prominent knots and growth rings that may show through the paint if you don't paint enough coats. A dense or prominent grain pattern can also make the paint job appear uneven.
Good For Humid Conditions
You also want to look for wood that does well in humid conditions. These wood types will look better painted and are less likely to warp or crack in humid conditions.
Low Tannin Content
Tanning is an acidic compound found naturally in wood. Wood types with high tannin levels are more susceptible to tanning bleed-throughs, which cause yellowish or brownish stains over your paint job. Tanning bleed-throughs can be prevented with specific stain-blockers and primers. You can also stick with wood species with low tannin content, like MDF and maple.
Best Wood Types for Painted Cabinet Doors
Choosing the right wood species is important in getting a smooth, professional-looking paint finish on cabinet doors. Below are some of the top paint-grade woods:
#1 - Alder
Painting alder wood is especially easy thanks to the soft density of the material. Alder is not as plentiful as some of the other wood species on this list and is a little more expensive as a result, but it remains an appealing option for anyone who plans to paint their doors.
#2 - Maple
Painting maple cabinets is fairly straightforward, regardless of whether the maple is hard or soft. The hard variety is considered by some to be the best wood for painting in terms of how good the finished doors look, but hard maple is expensive as a result.
#3 - MDF
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is a type of manufactured hardwood engineered for performance. So, not surprisingly, it can be painted easily and delivers a nice finish even for novice painters.
#4 - Beech
Beech has a fine, tight grain pattern with moderate porosity. It's a strong, durable wood for painted cabinets that only requires light sanding and prep work for a smooth, even finish. It also has a low tannin content, so you won't need to worry about too much tannin bleeding through.
#5 - Oak
Oak is a common choice for cabinets, but its prominent grain can make it harder to paint. Proper preparation is key to achieving a finished touch. It’s important to use a high-quality primer and multiple coats of paint to get a smooth finish.
#6 - White Oak
White oak isn't the easiest wood to paint. It's a dense, durable wood with a tight, closed-grain pattern. It's also less porous than other wood species, so getting an even coat of paint or primer can be challenging -- but not impossible. Ensure you sand, clean, and prime the wood before painting.
#7 - Hickory
Hickory is known for its strength and bold grain pattern, which can show through lighter paint colors. While it’s not the easiest wood to paint, some prefer the texture it adds to painted finishes.
How to Prep Wood for Painting
If you paint your cabinet doors yourself, ensure you fully prep the wood before you get started. Once you find the best wood to paint, these next steps are crucial:
- Fully clean and decrease the wood
- Fill in holes, cracks, or imperfections with wood filler
- Sand the surface (120–150 grit sandpaper is typically recommended, but may vary depending on the wood type you pick)
- Prime the wood and apply a stain blocker
- Sand the wood with a lighter grit sandpaper
- Start painting
Each wood type is different and may require additional steps, a specific primer, or a stronger grit sandpaper. You may also need to apply two to three coats to achieve your desired finish.
To achieve a professional finish, thoroughly research the wood type and ensure you have the tools to prep the wood before you paint.
Why Paint Doors From Cabinetdoors.com?
There’s a reason we have been in business for over 30 years and have become one of the internet’s leading suppliers of custom-built cabinet doors:
- Our prices are lower than most big-box stores.
- We only use high-quality wood species, and our doors are produced on high-tech woodworking equipment.
- We custom build and ship most orders within 7-10 days, and they arrive at your door ready to paint several days after that.
- We have earned too many 5-star customer ratings to count, and the Better Business Bureau classifies us as an A+ organization.
If you don’t want to paint the wood yourself, we offer finished cabinet doors in premium Sherwin-Williams paint colors.
Add a stylish touch to your home with painted or unpainted cabinet doors from CabinetDoors.com. Order your custom cabinet doors today! Please contact us online or at 800-342-1010.