Painting sound cabinets costs far less than replacing them, and it suits the solid oak kitchens found in many homes in the South Hills and North Hills. The work is mostly preparation: degreasing, sanding, a bonding primer and a hard enamel made for cabinets. Doors and drawer fronts come off so every edge is coated.
Kitchens in Pittsburgh houses tend to be compact. An older row house or foursquare was built with a small kitchen at the back, and many of those rooms were refitted later with solid wood or wood veneer cabinets that are still square and strong. When the boxes are sound and the layout works for you, new paint changes the whole room without tearing anything out. We check the doors, hinges and drawer fronts first and tell you plainly if any are too worn to be worth painting.
Cabinet paint fails when the prep is rushed, so most of our time goes there. Doors and drawer fronts come off and are numbered. Every surface is degreased, because cooking residue stops paint from bonding. Then we sand, fill dents, apply a bonding primer and sand again. The finish is a hard enamel made for cabinets, put on in thin coats. The frames are painted in place, with the counters, floor and appliances covered. Hardware goes back on at the end.
Expect the kitchen to be partly out of use for several days, though the sink and stove normally stay available. Fresh enamel feels dry quickly but takes a few weeks to reach full hardness, so go gently with it at first. Damp basements are common here, and we do not leave freshly coated doors to dry in one. Pick your color and sheen before we start, and ask to see a sample door if you are unsure. Estimates are free and the quote is written.
Cabinet painting in Pittsburgh: common questions
Will painted cabinets chip?
A cabinet enamel over proper prep holds up well to daily use. Chips usually come from skipped cleaning or the wrong primer. Around handles and on lower drawers, some wear over the years is normal and can be touched up.
Can you paint laminate or thermofoil cabinet doors?
Sometimes. Laminate that is firmly stuck down can be painted with a strong bonding primer. Thermofoil that is peeling or bubbling cannot hold paint, and those doors are better replaced. We check each door at the estimate.
Do you paint the inside of the cabinets too?
Only if you ask for it. Most customers have the doors, drawer fronts and outside frames painted and leave the insides as they are. Painting the interiors adds time, so we list it as a separate line in the quote.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.