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.

Here is a brief overview of the wood species we have available:

Birch is a hardwood that has a pleasing light color in our Select grade. Birch is 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 is another hardwood that is popular for cabinet doors. It has a distinct grain pattern. Red oak is a good choice for cabinet doors in high-traffic areas. The slight reddish tint of red oak can add warmth and character to a kitchen. Because of its pitted cellular structure, red oak can be painted while allowing the pattern of the grain texture to show through. We offer three grades of red oak.

   Rustic: knotty wood with natural color variation

   Natural: some mineral streaks and color variation

   Select: no knots, uniform color, well matched wood

Cherry is a hardwood known for its rich warm color and fine grain. Cherry is a good choice for traditional or transitional style kitchens. The rich color of cherry can make a kitchen look elegant. 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 with natural color variation, some sapwood

   Natural: some mineral streaks, color variation, and sapwood

   Select: no knots, no sapwood, well matched wood

Hickory is a hardwood that is known for its mix of light and dark brown color. The color variation of hickory can add a touch of sophistication to a kitchen. We offer a Budget Hickory that is a very good quality, mostly white hickory with less light/dark variation than standard hickory. All white wood is available upon request. We offer three grades of standard hickory.

   Rustic: natural color variation, knotty wood with some open knots and worm holes

   Natural: some small mineral streaks and pin knots, natural color variation

   Select: pleasing color matching of heartwood and sapwood

Sugar Maple is also known as hard maple. It is a very hard wood. It is known for its light color in our Select grade which can make a kitchen look bright and airy. 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 is a softwood that is known for its light color. The light color of pine 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 is a hardwood that is known for its rich, dark brown color and wavy grain.  Walnut is 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: some color variation

   Select: no knots, more uniform color, well matched wood

Paint Grade is a term used to describe wood that is suitable for painting. This type of wood is typically Birch, Maple, or Cherry. Paint grade wood is less expensive since it is not color and wood grain matched. Paint grade wood is a good choice for painted cabinets, as it takes paint well. We offer three grades of paint grade.

   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 is a popular choice for cabinet doors because it is both strong and beautiful and is characterized by a slightly cooler, grey color tone. We also offer rift sawn white oak 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 is a type of oak that has been cut so that the grain runs perpendicular to the face of the wood. This results in a distinctive look that is characterized by wide, wavy stripes. Quarter sawn white oak is a popular choice for cabinet doors because it is both strong and beautiful. The wide, wavy stripes of quarter sawn white oak can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a kitchen. White oak is characterized by a slightly cooler color tone. It has more of a grey tone instead of the stronger yellow and red tones of many other species. We offer two grades of quarter sawn white oak.

   Natural: some small pin knots and some flecking, uniform quarter sawn grain 

   More Flecking: wood hand picked for more pronounced flecking, slightly better color matching

Rift sawn white oak is a type of oak that has been cut so that the grain runs at a 30 to 60 degree angle to the face of the wood. This results in a distinctive look that is characterized by long, straight grains without flecking. Rift sawn white oak is a popular choice for cabinet doors because it is both strong and beautiful and is characterized by a slightly cooler, grey color tone. We offer two grades of rift sawn white oak.

Natural: some mineral streaks and color variation

Select: no knots, uniform color, well matched wood

Quarter Sawn Red Oak is similar to quarter sawn white oak, but it has a darker, warmer color. Quarter sawn red oak is also a popular choice for cabinet doors, and it can be stained to match any décor. We offer two grades of quarter sawn red oak.

   Natural: some small pin knots and some flecking

   More Flecking: wood hand picked for more pronounced flecking

Ash is a hardwood that is known for its strength and durability. It has a light brown color. Ash is a good choice for cabinet doors in high-traffic areas, such as the kitchen or bathroom. 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 is similar to hard sugar maple but is a somewhat softer maple and is in some ways more durable since it’s not as brittle. It also absorbs stain better which is especially helpful when dark stains are used. We offer three grades of red leaf maple.

   Rustic: knotty wood with natural color variation

   Natural: some mineral streaks and color variation

   Select: no knots, uniform color, well matched wood

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 vary for each door.