Glazed Kitchen Cabinets

Glaze is a transparent or semi-transparent coating that is applied after a cabinet has been painted or stained. Glazing kitchen cabinets adds depth and color to the finish and often beats the cost to paint cabinets. You may choose high-quality, pre-glazed kitchen cabinets during your kitchen do-over or add glaze later to save on kitchen cabinet costs.

The Glazing Process

Once cabinets are stained or painted then cured, the cabinet makers apply a thin glaze. For best results, the glaze is applied by brush or by hand, then wiped off by hand. After the glaze cures, the cabinets are finished with several coats of polyurethane topcoat.

Results of Glazing

Glazing leaves highlights and streaks of the glaze color over the base color of the cabinet. The glazing is particularly apparent in the corners, molding, doors, drawers' fleur-de-lis and any other decorative details on a cabinet. Glaze settles into the carved details, leaving an additional darker highlight.

Benefits of Glazing

Glazing gives an antique look to kitchen cabinets. It can also add depth, interest and "pop" to cabinets. Proponents of glazed kitchen cabinets note that glaze highlights the underlying base color of the cabinets and accents all surface details. Glaze contributes to an Old World, country or rustic look in a kitchen. Glazing is a premium finish, so glazed cabinets can add class to a kitchen design.

Cons of Glazed Cabinets

Glazing is a matter of personal taste. This look is great for many people and particular designs. To others, the style looks dated, old-fashioned or fake. If you ever need to sell your home, glazed cabinets may put off a certain number of potential buyers. Others, of course, may love the glazed finish. If you do change your mind about glazed cabinets or are dissatisfied with the finished product, it means cost and labor to refinish or replace the cabinets. Because it is a premium finish requiring hand work, it may cost more than standard finishes.

Glaze Colors

The two most popular glaze combinations are white glaze on white painted cabinets and a dark glaze on stained cabinets. For an antique look, decorators use dark pigmented glaze on white cabinets. There are a number of shades of glaze, including such glazes as mocha, bronze, nickel, vanilla, coffee, caramel and tea. Although the specific colors may be difficult to visualize, the color names illustrate that glazes come in various shades of brown, black and white.

Cost of Glazed Cabinets

Typical cabinet glazing cost an average of 8 to 10 dollars per square foot. Purchasing ready-to-assemble (RTA) or stock glazed cabinets from Kitchen Cabinet Kings can help mitigate the extra cost of the glazing process. The cost of the cabinets also varies depending on the type of wood used in the construction, so there may be glazed cabinets that are less expensive than cabinets with a standard finish. The average cost of new cabinets typically includes your glazing or staining option.

Style Ideas

Glazing looks terrific on intricately carved cabinets or cabinets with lots of detail in the doors and drawer fronts. Glazing is also attractive on country cabinets with wainscoting or white painted finishes. Use glazed accents on molding or kitchen carts to pull the look together. Tall, glazed cabinets such as pantries provide a stunning focal point for a kitchen.

For a unique, antique or Old World look, consider using glazed kitchen cabinets in your new home or kitchen remodel. With a wide variety of styles and colors available, you're sure to find the combination that creates the perfect look for your new kitchen. Check out Kitchen Cabinet Kings' before and after gallery to find pictures of our glazed cabinets before and after redecorating.