About Different Door Finishes for Kitchen Cabinets
These are the 5 most common ways that cabinet doors are finished.
Glazed Finish 
A glaze is generally applied over a base stain. Once it is applied, it is then wiped off by hand. As you wipe off the glaze, it settles in the cabinets open grain areas and defines its details. Glazes can also be tinted any color. Contrasting the color of the wood with the color of the glaze creates a uniquely attractive look.
Stained Finish 
Staining your cabinets is a great way to add color to the wood without ruining the beauty of the wood grain. You want to be careful when picking stain colors because manufacturers use all different names. The same name might be a completely different color under another company.
Lacquer Finish 
A lacquer is a clear finish used over wood products. It generally is used to protect the wood itself. It is sometimes used on cabinetry but generally doesn't add anything to their overall look.
Painted Doors 
Paint provides an endless array of color choices but conceals the natural grain and beauty of hardwood doors.
Melamine Door Finish 
Laminate covered particleboard or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), lowest quality, inexpensive, easy to peel off, especially when exposed to heat, moisture or extreme humidity. This is not found in higher quality cabinetry.