When it comes to transforming your existing kitchen without the hefty price tag of a full kitchen renovation, two popular options stand out: kitchen spray painting and vinyl wrapping. At The Spraying Team, we've helped countless homeowners breathe new life into their kitchen cupboards through professional kitchen spray services. We understand that choosing between these two methods can be challenging, so we've created this comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision about which approach might better suit your needs and personal style.
Kitchen respraying is a technique where your existing kitchen cupboards are professionally cleaned, prepared, and spray painted to create a flawless finish. This process involves removing all doors and drawer fronts, thoroughly cleaning and sanding them, applying a primer, and then using spray paint to achieve a smooth, even coat.
The spray paint bonds directly to the surface of your kitchen units, creating a durable and long-lasting finish. With professional application in a professional spray booth, the result looks factory-finished rather than hand-painted, eliminating brush marks and providing a seamless appearance.
One of the biggest advantages of kitchen spray is its versatility. Almost any kitchen cabinets can be spray painted, regardless of the material, whether it's wood, MDF, or laminate. Plus, with colour matching services available, you can achieve the exact shade you want for your kitchen decor.
Vinyl wrapping involves covering your kitchen cupboards with a thin layer of adhesive backed sheet material. This vinyl film is heated and stretched over your cupboard doors and drawer fronts to create a new surface. The vinyl can come in various finishes, including matt, satin, gloss finish, and even textured designs that mimic wood grain.
To vinyl wrap kitchen cupboards (vinyl wrapping) involves taking all doors and drawer fronts off the units for application. When done properly, vinyl wrapped cupboards can give your kitchen a complete makeover with minimal disruption to your daily routine.
When investing in a kitchen update, durability is a key consideration. How well will each finish stand up to everyday wear and tear?
Professionally spray painted kitchen units can last 8-10 years or more with proper care. When you correctly spray paint surfaces, the paint bonds directly to the cabinet material, creating a hard-wearing finish that's resistant to chipping.
High quality paints used in professional kitchen resprays are formulated to withstand the kitchen environment, including resistance to heat and moisture. This makes them ideal for busy family kitchens where cupboards suffer daily use.
Vinyl wrapped kitchens typically last 5-7 years before they might need replacing. While modern vinyl materials have improved significantly, vinyl wrapped cupboards can still be susceptible to peeling at the edges over time, especially in areas exposed to moisture or hot appliances.
The heat-resistance factor is important to consider with the entire vinyl wrap, particularly around ovens and kettles. Excessive heat can cause the vinyl to lift or bubble, whereas correctly spray paint bonds can better withstand these conditions.
For many homeowners, budget is a significant factor when deciding between these two kitchen transformation methods.
Kitchen respraying is generally more cost effective, typically costing 30-40% less than a complete vinyl wrap job. With spray painting, you're paying primarily for labour and materials, rather than the more expensive vinyl sheets required for wrapping.
While vinyl wrapping can sometimes appear as the cheaper option initially, professional spray painting often emerges as the cost effective solution for most kitchens.
For large commercial projects or very complex designs, the cost difference may vary, so it's always worth getting quotes for both options.
When you choose kitchen spray with The Spraying Team, here's what you can expect:
The entire spraying process typically takes 3-5 days, with minimal disruption to your household. You'll still have access to your room whilst spraying takes place, though some areas will be temporarily off-limits. As for how much does it cost to spray a kitchen, the price can vary depending on the size of your kitchen and the complexity of the job, but most services offer competitive rates for this highly effective transformation.
With vinyl wrapping, the process includes:
This process can take a similar amount of time to respraying but requires extreme precision during application. Any mistakes can result in bubbles or uneven finishes that are difficult to correct.
With kitchen respraying, your colour options are virtually unlimited. Most professional services offer colour matching, allowing you to achieve the exact shade of your dreams. From timeless neutrals to on-trend hues, the most popular colours for kitchen resprays often include shades like matte grey, navy blue, and soft white. Whether you're looking for a bright, bold statement or a subtle, elegant tone, spray painted kitchen units can deliver.
Finishes range from matt to high gloss, with satin options in between. The high gloss finish is particularly popular for creating a contemporary, light-reflecting kitchen that feels spacious and clean.
Vinyl wrapping offers a wide range of pre-manufactured colours and patterns, including wood-effect finishes. While the selection is extensive, you're limited to what's available in vinyl form. However, some vinyl options can mimic textures, which is harder to achieve with spray paint alone.
One advantage of kitchen respraying is the ability to include feature panels or accents in contrasting colours. This allows for creative two-tone designs that can highlight architectural elements of your existing kitchen decor.
For environmentally conscious homeowners, there are several factors to consider:
Kitchen spray typically uses water-based products that have lower VOC levels than traditional solvent-based alternatives, making them better for indoor air quality. Professional spray booths also capture overspray, minimising waste.
Vinyl wrapping produces less immediate chemical odour during installation, but the vinyl material itself is plastic-based and not biodegradable. This makes spray painting potentially the more eco-friendly option in the long run.
Both methods extend the life of your existing cabinets, which is inherently environmentally friendly compared to replacing them entirely.
Consider choosing kitchen respray if:
Consider vinyl wrapping if:
There are several misconceptions about both methods that are worth addressing:
One common myth is why spray painting is thought to chip easily. In reality, professionally applied spray finishes are highly durable and resistant to wear and tear when properly prepared and applied.
Another misconception is that vinyl wrapping is always cheaper. While the materials might cost less initially, the skilled labour required and the potentially shorter lifespan can make it more expensive long-term.
Some people believe south facing kitchen areas require vinyl wrapping to prevent colour fading. However, high-quality spray paints now offer excellent UV resistance, making them suitable for even the sunniest kitchens.
Whichever option you choose, proper maintenance will extend the life of your refreshed kitchen cupboards vinyl.
For spray painted kitchen surfaces:
For vinyl wrapped cupboards:
With minimal maintenance, both finishes can keep your kitchen looking fresh and modern for years to come.
At The Spraying Team, we've re-sprayed kitchen units across the UK with fantastic results. Our clients are consistently amazed by how we can completely transform their tired kitchens through professional respraying.
One recent project involved a dated oak kitchen with worn surfaces. After our spray kitchen cupboards process, the kitchen emerged with a contemporary light grey finish that made the space feel entirely new. The client saved thousands compared to a kitchen renovation, and the kitchen now looks like it was installed yesterday rather than twenty years ago.
If you're considering giving your kitchen a new lease on life, The Spraying Team is here to help. We offer professional kitchen spray services that deliver a professional finish at a fraction of the cost of a new kitchen makeover.
Our team of experienced professionals takes pride in delivering a flawless finish and exceptional customer service. We understand that your kitchen is the heart of your home, and we treat every project with the care and attention it deserves.
Contact The Spraying Team today for a free, no-obligation quote. Let us show you how we can transform your kitchen cupboards into a space you'll love for years to come with our exceptional kitchen resprays versus kitchen wrapping expertise.
