One of the most important decisions that you’ll make in your remodeling project is selecting the cabinet finish that will best complement your design.  When shopping for cabinetry there are many different cabinet finish options to choose from – everything from stained and painted cabinet finishes to artisan finish collections like Dura Supreme Cabinetry’s Weathered and Heritage Paint collections. When discussing finish options, one of the most asked questions is “What is the difference between an accent and a glaze finish?”

Dura Supreme Cabinetry is shown in a “White” paint with a “Platinum” Glaze. Design by Jenny Rausch of Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath, Photography by Studio 10Seven.

Accent Glaze Cabinet Finishes

An accent glaze cabinet finish is hand applied over the already stained or painted finish with a small brush to the profiles, corners, and edges of the door.  It is designed to accentuate the details of the cabinet door but without affecting the primary base stain or paint color of the door.

Accent Glaze finishes can be both stained and painted finishes. The left image features the “Clove” stain on Cherry wood with a “Black” accent. The image on the right features the “White” paint with a “Pewter” accent.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry is shown in a

Dura Supreme Cabinetry is shown in a “White” paint with a “Platinum” Glaze. Design by Jenny Rausch of Karr Bick Kitchen & Bath, Photography by Studio 10Seven.

Glazed Cabinet Finishes

A glazed cabinet finish is crafted by applying a semi-transparent color over the already stained or painted finish for added depth and dimension. The glaze is then hand wiped off all flat surfaces, but it creates a darkened highlight along profiles and corners to accentuate the detail of the cabinet door style. The glaze adds a subtle wash of color to the base stain color, darkening the overall color slightly and creating a subtle brush-stroked appearance.

Glaze finishes can be both stained and painted finishes. The left image features the

Glaze finishes can be both stained and painted finishes. The left image features the “Caraway” stain on Cherry wood with a “Charcoal” glaze. The image on the right features the “Putty” paint with an “Espresso” glaze.

Dura Supreme Cabinetry's

Dura Supreme Cabinetry’s “Espresso” glaze on a white painted cabinet finish.

Accent Glaze VS. Glazed Finishes

Both Dura Supreme Cabinetry’s accent glaze and glaze finishes are artistic, hand-applied cabinet finish techniques that will exhibit subtle and unique variations. The Accent Glaze finishes are crisp and purely accentuate the details of the cabinet door while not affecting the original color of the stain or paint. A glaze slightly changes the original color of the stain or paint to create a subtle antiqued look.

Comparing Dura Supreme’s standard “Canvas” painted finish with “Canvas” with a “Stone” accent glaze, and “Canvas” with a “Sable” glaze.

Comparing Dura Supreme's standard

Comparing Dura Supreme’s standard “Mission” stained finish on cherry with “Mission” with a “Black” accent glaze, and “Mission” with a “Charcoal” glaze.

I always recommend viewing a sample door in person to verify how the selected finish will look on the actual door style as these finishes will create different effects on different door styles.

What is the Difference Between an Accent and a Glaze Cabinet Finish?
Mandi Juskiewicz the Senior Design & Marketing Specialist for Dura Supreme Cabinetry. A content developer and blog author for the company.

Mandi Juskiewicz is the Sr. Design & Marketing Specialist for Dura Supreme Cabinetry with 20 years of experience in graphic design, web design, multi-media communications, photography, and social media technology.  Her accolades include the distinction of being named “Kitchen Cabinetry Marketing Specialist of the Year 2019” in the 2019 Content Creator Awards held by CV Magazine and achiever of the Houzz Influencer Award.

Her role at Dura Supreme allows her to curate the “best of the best” designs, cutting edge products, and fabulously functional Dura Supreme kitchens across the country and feature them here for inspiration and design ideas!

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