Choosing the Right Wood for Cabinets
When choosing wood for cabinet doors, there are a few factors to consider, such as the color, the grain, the durability, and the cost. The best wood for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Birch
Birch is a hardwood that has a pleasing light color in our Select grade. It's a good choice for painted cabinets, as it takes paint well. We offer three grades of birch.
Rustic: Knotty wood with natural color variation.
Natural: Some mineral streaks and color variation.
Select: No knots, uniform color, well-matched wood. Recommended if using light stain.
Red Oak
Red oak is another hardwood that is popular for cabinet doors. It has a distinct grain pattern and is a good choice for high-traffic areas. The slight reddish tint can add warmth and character to a kitchen. Because of its pitted cellular structure, red oak can be painted while allowing the grain texture to show through.
Rustic: Knotty wood with natural color variation.
Natural: Some mineral streaks and color variation.
Select: No knots, uniform color, well-matched wood.
Cherry
Cherry is a hardwood known for its rich warm color and fine grain, making it a good choice for traditional or transitional style kitchens. We offer a Budget Cherry that has extra color variation, no knots, and is not recommended for light colored stain. We also offer three grades of standard cherry.
Rustic: Knotty wood, color variation, some sapwood.
Natural: Some mineral streaks, color variation, and sapwood.
Select: No knots, no sapwood, well-matched wood.
Hickory
Hickory is known for its mix of light and dark brown color. We offer a Budget Hickory that is a very good quality, mostly white hickory with less variation. All white wood is available upon request. We offer three grades of standard hickory.
Rustic: Knotty, open knots, worm holes, natural color variation.
Natural: Small mineral streaks, pin knots, natural color variation.
Select: Pleasing color matching of heartwood and sapwood.
Sugar Maple
Also known as hard maple, this is a very hard wood. It is known for its light color in our Select grade. Our natural and rustic grades could have a mixture of light and darker brown color. We offer three grades of sugar maple.
Rustic: Knotty wood with natural color variation.
Natural: Some mineral streaks and color variation.
Select: No knots, uniform color, well-matched wood.
Pine
Pine is a softwood that is known for its light color, which can make a kitchen look bright and airy. We offer two grades of pine.
Rustic: Knotty wood with natural color variation.
Select: No knots, uniform color, well-matched wood.
Walnut
Walnut is a hardwood known for its rich, dark brown color and wavy grain. It's a good choice for traditional or transitional style kitchens. The rich color of walnut can make a kitchen look elegant and sophisticated. We offer three grades of walnut.
Rustic: Some knots and natural blemish.
Natural: Light/dark color variation
Select: No knots, more uniform dark color, well matched wood.
Paint Grade
This type of wood is typically Birch, Maple, or Cherry. Paint grade wood is less expensive since it is not color and grain matched. It's a good choice for painted cabinets, as it takes paint well. We offer three grades.
Natural: Mixed hardwood - Birch, Maple, or Cherry.
MDF Panel: MDF has superior resistance to warping, expansion, and contraction.
Maple: Only Maple wood used.
White Oak
A popular choice because it is both strong and beautiful, characterized by a slightly cooler, grey color tone. We also offer rift sawn and quarter sawn white oak for where extra stability and straight grains are desired.
Natural: Some mineral streaks and color variation.
Select: No knots, uniform color, well-matched wood.
Quarter Sawn White Oak
This oak is cut so the grain runs perpendicular to the face, resulting in wide, wavy stripes. It's strong, beautiful, and has a cooler, grey color tone instead of stronger yellow and red tones.
Natural: Some small pin knots, some flecking, uniform quarter sawn grain.
More Flecking: Hand-picked for more pronounced flecking, better color matching.
Rift Sawn White Oak
This oak is cut so the grain runs at a 30-60 degree angle to the face, resulting in long, straight grains without flecking. It's strong, beautiful, and has a slightly cooler, grey color tone.
Natural: Some mineral streaks and color variation.
Select: No knots, uniform color, well-matched wood.
Quarter Sawn Red Oak
Similar to quarter sawn white oak, but with a darker, warmer color. It's a popular choice and can be stained to match any décor. We offer two grades.
Natural: Some small pin knots and some flecking.
More Flecking: Hand-picked for more pronounced flecking.
Ash
Ash is a hardwood known for its strength and durability. It has a light brown color and is a good choice for high-traffic areas. We offer two grades of ash.
Natural: Some mineral streaks and plank boundary color variation.
Select: Well-matched wood grain and color.
Red Leaf Maple
Similar to hard sugar maple but somewhat softer and more durable, as it’s not as brittle. It also absorbs stain better, which is helpful for dark stains. We offer three grades.
Rustic: Knotty wood with natural color variation.
Natural: Some mineral streaks and color variation.
Select: No knots, uniform color, well-matched wood.
Alder
Alder is somewhat softer than other hardwoods. We offer two grades of Alder.
Rustic: Knotty wood with natural color variation.
Select: No knots, uniform color, well-matched wood.Note: wood appearances may vary for each door.
Hinge Drilling Specs
Hinge drilling (optional)
- Depth: 7/16″
- Centered distance from top edge and bottom edge: 3″
- Distance from side edge: 1/8″
- Width of hole: 35mm
- two pilot holes drilled for screws per hinge
Door specs
- Thickness: 3/4″
- Frame width: 2 1/4″ or optional 3″ (call for other sizes)
- All doors are belt sanded and hand sanded