Humidity & Kitchen Cabinets: What Coastal Homeowners Need to Know

Living by the ocean has many advantages – the views, the fresh seafood, the beach vibes. But the high humidity can damage your most-used space: the kitchen.

All that dampness in the air can actually hurt your cabinets over time.

As coastal refinishing pros, our team at Oceanside Painting & Refinishing often get asked how moisture affects cabinets and what can be done. Here’s what coastal homeowners need to know to protect kitchen cabinets from humidity issues.

How Does Humidity Harm Cabinets?

Too much dampness makes wood cabinets swell, warp, and split.

The glues can also weaken and detach. Constant changes in humidity levels are the worst. The wood expanding and contracting loosens joints and finishes. Without controlling the moisture, you’ll quickly see peeling varnish, bubbling paint and gaps between cabinets and walls.

The humidity also produces the perfect place for mold, mildew and bacteria to grow. This damages cabinets and impacts indoor air quality.

Tips to Control Humidity

The ideal humidity level for cabinets is 30% - 50%.

Here are tips to control moisture:

• Use exhaust fans, open windows, and dehumidifiers to remove excess dampness.
• Make sure cabinets are properly sealed and finished. Avoid exposed, unfinished edges.
• Install smart home devices that automatically control moisture levels.
• Keep gutters and downspouts clear to prevent moisture pooling near your home.
• Use air conditioning to remove humidity during hot, humid months.

Choosing Moisture-Resistant Materials

When remodeling your coastal kitchen, choose low-maintenance stuff that withstands humidity:

• Plywood construction is more stable than solid wood.
• Thermally fused laminate cabinets resist swelling and warping.
• Polyurethane and conversion varnish provide superior moisture protection.
• Stainless steel hardware prevents rust.

Watch Out for Risks During Remodels

A kitchen remodel also lets you fix any existing moisture damage and improve ventilation. Our team looks out for warning signs like:

• Peeling finishes or visible water damage.
• Mold/mildew growth inside cabinets or on walls.
• No ventilation or humidity control.

By finding and fixing these issues at the start, your new kitchen will last longer.

Caring For Your Coastal Kitchen

Be diligent about checking for moisture problems and sealing any cracks.

Open cabinet doors during humid months so air can flow. Keep inside surfaces clean and dry. Refinish cabinets as needed to maintain the protective coating.

Oceanside’s Cabinet Refinishing Expertise

With 23+ years serving coastal homeowners, Oceanside Painting & Refinishing can repair humidity damage and give your kitchen a fresh coastal look. Our cabinet restoration process includes:

• Sanding to the bare wood.
• Applying moisture-resistant sealers & finishes.
• Using coastal-friendly materials and hardware.
• Ensuring proper alignment to prevent future gaps.

We also fix underlying moisture issues to stop continued damage. Our goal is giving you a coastal kitchen that withstands the unique humidity challenges of oceanside living.

Contact Oceanside Painting & Refinishing today to learn about our kitchen cabinet refinishing for coastal homes. We want your kitchen to highlight the beauty of living by the ocean, without sacrificing quality or durability.

Our expertise with coastal cabinetry keeps your kitchen looking as gorgeous as the ocean view.