A new season of Erica Explains is here—and we're kicking things off with a deep dive into cabinet finishes.
If you've ever wondered which finish makes the most sense for a particular customer, this episode is for you. I walk through the finishes in our collections and break down the differences designers should know when helping customers find the right fit for their budget, lifestyle and design style.
Start with the budget: Melamine
Looking for a more budget-conscious option? Our solid melamine finish in the Stockton door style is a straightforward choice for customers who want a simple door style without giving up the features they value.
Melamine customers still get access to features including all-plywood cabinet boxes, soft-close doors and drawers, hardwood drawer boxes, no-door cabinets and free custom-depth cabinets. The difference is simply a more streamlined door style.
Need durability? Consider RTF.
RTF, or Rigid Tough Finish, is a great option for customers who want a finish designed to stand up to everyday life. RTF is twice as scratch resistant as a painted finish, making it particularly well suited for busy households, homes with young children or rental properties.
As a newer evolution of thermofoil, RTF offers improved performance and a clean, durable finish designed for long-term use.
For natural beauty: Stains
If your customer wants the look of a solid hardwood door, our stained finishes are a great place to start. Our popular Cinnamon finish, for example, showcases the natural beauty and variation of maple.
There's also some clever construction behind that beautiful wood look. The solid maple door features an MDF core designed to help limit shrinking and expansion over time, reducing the risk of hairline cracks in the finish.
For a contemporary look: High Gloss
For customers leaning modern or contemporary, High Gloss brings a distinctly European-inspired aesthetic.
HDC’s Metropolitan door style is available in High Gloss White and High Gloss Metallic Gray, pairing a sleek flat-panel door style and lacquer-like appearance.
For a classic premium look: Painted
And then there's the classic: premium painted cabinetry.
Our premium painted finish has a subtle sheen that gives it a polished, high-end look, while its hard-cured finish is designed for long-lasting performance. It's made to help resist chipping and fading while maintaining consistent color over time.
And if your customer wants a timeless white kitchen, Newport Pacific White is a fan favorite for good reason. A painted white Shaker door is a classic—and there's a reason it keeps coming back.
Match the finish to the customer
The right finish isn't just about what looks good in a showroom. Think about what your customer values most:
Budget-conscious? Start with melamine.
Durability-minded? Consider RTF.
Natural and warm? Explore stained finishes.
Modern and sleek? Show them High Gloss.
Classic and elevated? Premium painted finishes are a natural fit.
And this is just the beginning. New Erica Explains episodes as well as new live training webinars are on the way, giving you even more opportunities to build your product knowledge and sharpen your design skills.
Ready to get started? Watch the first episode of the new season above!
