When planning your kitchen upgrade, you might pour over details on the internet regarding the proper kitchen renovation order. Although a general itinerary exists, remodelers may not follow it to a tee because each project’s progression depends on the kitchen. Should you paint kitchen cabinets before installing countertops? Payless Kitchen Cabinets’ kitchen remodeler in Glendale, CA, gives insider details about this burning question below. 

What Happens When You Paint the Cabinets First?

Let’s say you start your kitchen remodel project by painting the cabinets before you install a new countertop. What could go wrong or right when taking this approach? Painting the cabinets prior to handling the countertop has some advantages:

• It protects the outer paint coat. You want rich, full paint coverage that lasts throughout all of the kitchen’s trials. Painting the cabinets first ensures they cure perfectly.
• You can fully cover each cabinet surface. Each coat looks good from all angles. You don’t wrestle with counter overhang or painstaking coverage details. 
• The countertop and cabinet combo may look cleaner. Sharp, clean lines are a classic design staple. Most kitchen cabinet color ideas look their best when the painted piece stands alone without additional components. 
• You can select your countertop material based on the dried paint or finish color. If you want your cabinets to take center stage, you should paint them first and select the other details to complement them. 

However, figuring out when to paint cabinets depends on other remodeling objectives. Each paint product’s cure time varies based on formulas. Most durable, water-resistant products can take longer to cure. 

Plus, paint buildup becomes an issue. Any undried paint might stick to the countertop’s lower surface. The next time you remove the countertop, you might need a cabinet paint touch-up at a minimum. 

What About Installing the Countertops First?

Should you paint kitchen cabinets before installing countertops? What if you remove the old countertop and secure the new one first? This method also brings a few perks:

• You’ll protect both materials. Damp paint can respond like glue when you combine two separate surfaces. It can adhere the countertop to the cabinets, destroying both in the process. 
• You can select paint colors based on the countertop. You might want your gorgeous marble countertop to be the star of the show. By installing it first, you can play with different finishes and paint colors to find the perfect shade to offset and highlight the counter. 
• The workflow is smoother. Remodelers need a nearby surface to place their tools and equipment. A kitchen without a countertop lessens the available workspace. 

Installing countertops first is one of the best practices for kitchen remodel projects. It still comes with some downsides. 

When you paint cabinets last, you risk splashing paint on the lower side of the countertop. The edges and borders may not look as crisp since the countertop edge juts into your vision. 

Should You Paint Kitchen Cabinets Before Installing Countertops?

Both options come with pitfalls and perks. Therefore, it doesn’t matter which step goes first as long as it fits the ultimate end goal. A skilled remodeler can dictate the project’s trajectory based on your functional and aesthetic desires. 

Plus, you should consider other details that will influence the project order, such as:

• What type of countertop will you install? Lightweight countertop materials, like Formica, are more flexible than heavy stones. If you pick a heavy material, you must ensure your cabinets can support it. 
• Will the current cabinets support the new countertop? You will have to replace your current cabinet setup if it can’t accommodate the countertop. That crosses refinishing or repainting off the to-do list.  
• How will the sink fit into the picture? If you want a new sink, you should make sure your current cabinets and chosen countertop work with it. Undermounds and other fixture types require specific installation environments. 
• If you must replace your cabinets, what material will you choose? Some circumstances demand all-new cabinetry. You’ll likely need a different material than your previous one. 

Decide What’s Best for Your Glendale Home With Help From Payless Kitchen Cabinets

Should you paint kitchen cabinets before installing countertops? Payless Kitchen Cabinets can calculate the variables for you. Avoid common yet expensive problems with DIY countertops and cabinets by working with our skilled crew. 

Our talented designers and remodeling contractors can translate your dream kitchen into a reality. Call 866-482-0919 to schedule a free consultation in Glendale, California. Get help today.