This glossary is a quick reference for common cabinet finishing terminology for painted and stained cabinet finishes. This is a great reference for kitchen and bath designers to keep on hand for clients or for those designers who are new to the industry.
Visit our cabinet terms glossary for homeowners here.
Cabinet Finishing Terminology Glossary for Kitchen Designers
Stain Finishes
A stain finish goes onto wood cabinet products. Stains add color and accentuate the pattern and depth of the wood grain. All stains used by Decor are wiping stains. Decor does not use spray stains as they lack the depth that can be seen with wiping stains.
Toner
Toner is the most beneficial step in many finishing processes as it serves many useful purposes. Toner changes the tone of the grain. Toners also work to even out the wood and to avoid blotching. When we cannot create a stain strong enough to achieve some of our darker colors (eg. Espresso) a toner can be used to create the look we want to achieve.
Washcoat
A washcoat adds depth to the stain color. It is also used for adhesion purposes, to add a barrier between bare wood/stain and glazes. This process creates the look of patina: the sheen on any surface, produced by age and use.
Tinted Sealer
Tinted sealers give the appearance of a painted finish but products allow for greater flexibility to reduce cracking of joints due to expansion and contraction of wood. Tinted sealers are used on our cottage colors only. This product contains considerable vinyl and is therefore softer and harder to sand which is why we do not allow the Antique wear on these colors. Oversand and rub through processes are possible because it is done with a knife instead of sanding blocks.
Paint
Post catalyzed conversion varnish. Painted finishes add beautiful color to cabinets. Paint is more brittle and does not expand and contract like stains or tinted sealers so they are not our first choice for solid wood doors. Paint works extremely well on HDF cabinet doors, which is our recommended painted door material. Decor also offers painted maple cabinets.
Top Coat
Post Catalyzed Conversion Varnish. Standard (12″) and Gloss (35″) sheens are available depending on your finish color. Flexible and allows for the normal expansion and contraction of wood. Good protection against heat and moisture.
Clear Seal
The clear seal coat causes the hairs/fibers of the wood to stand up to allow for easier sanding and smoother finishes. Adds stability to the finish system. Contains vinyl for added flexibility.
Glaze
Glazes accentuate the grain to give more depth and definition to a color. Glazes may be sprayed on and wiped off to change the overall color or applied with a bottle to hang up in profiles and corners of a specific door style.
Primer
Not as flexible as the clear sealer but serves the same purpose to raise the wood hairs/fibers to allow for better sanding and a smoother surface. Functions like a paint but is more flexible. Colors such as Diamond Frost, Willow, etc use a vinyl primer which allow for more flexibility of achieving a “paint” look on solid wood (maple).
Cow Tailing
Process used to achieve an antique furniture look. A small amount of dark glaze is applied to end of a paint brush and tapped on the door in random locations.
Dry Brush
Creates the look of patina: the sheen on any surface, produced by age and use. Hand finished by applying glaze to brush and lightly brushing edges of door. Adds depth and character to color.
Hang Up
Hang up glaze adds depth and contrast to a color. Applied with small bottle applicator, glaze is squeezed into profiles and corners of door style and excess is wiped of.
