Kitchen Cabinet Refacing: High-Gloss vs. Matte Finish for Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Selecting a particular finish for your kitchen cabinet doors – high-glass or matte – will give the room that certain look you prefer. But did you know that it will also impact the way you clean your kitchen cabinets? The care and cleaning of different finishes varies because of the texture of the cabinets, meaning each will require different types of maintenance and the use of different cleaning products.

Keep reading to learn more about the care and characteristics of high-gloss and matte finish cabinets and which might be suitable for your kitchen!

High-Gloss

High-gloss finishes are as the name indicates – shiny! They reflect both natural and artificial light and can help small kitchens look larger because of this reflective quality, especially when used with light tones or colors.

Because high-gloss finishes look modern and can provide a futuristic appearance, they are especially ideal for contemporary kitchens.

Grease stains don’t normally stand out on high-gloss surfaces but tend to blend in with the lustrous surface. You will still be able to see scratches and fingerprints.

High-gloss cabinet doors are very easy to clean. Just use a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust and dirt and a slightly damp cloth for grease stains.

Matte

Matte will provide a flat, velvety appearance because it absorbs light rather than reflects it.

Matte finishes are a little more versatile than high-gloss and can be suitable for anything from very traditional to rustic to contemporary styles.

Fingerprints as well as grease and oil stains show up prominently on matte finishes. However, scratches are less visible.

The best way to address unsightly grease and oil stains or fingerprints on matte cabinets is to wipe them with a microfiber cloth sprayed with a gentle all-purpose cleaner. A mixture of mild soap and water may be used as well.

Both finishes offer something a little different and a decision as to whether to use high-gloss or matte usually comes down to individual tastes.

Have you chosen a finish for your cabinets? Not sure which way to go? The perfect way to make a decision is to see the actual products on display in our showroom or to talk to one of our kitchen professionals for advice on what would work best for your kitchen style.