When choosing new kitchen cabinets or replace kitchen cabinet doors, it is important to consider the type of wood species that you will use. Below is the list of common woods available today in kitchen cabinet doors:
Alder – Very similar grain pattern to Cherry and Maple. Considered to be a hardwood but beware. Alder is light in weight and will dent easily, so you must be careful with it. It takes most finishes well including the dark ones.
Pine: Features swirling grain and random knots. Used in its natural state, pine lends itself to a lodge/cabin feel.
Cherry – Smooth even grained hardwood with a very elegant warm look. Have some variations with some blond, green and gray strips. Cherry darkens with age especially when exposed to direct sunlight. May contain small knots and pin holes.
Maple – Smooth, even and fine grain. is more uniformed and could have slight variations with mineral streaks which are common. Harder wood that is more wear resistant than birch.
Oak – Very strong grain pattern. Noticeable variations in color. Oak is one of the stronger hardwoods.
Pecan – A stronger hardwood from the hickory family. Very dramatic color variations when new that will become less apparent with age. Will have knots and pin holes.
Quarter-Sawn Oak – Straight grain with medium to coarse texture and evenly spaced pores. White Oak that ranges in color from nearly white to dark gray heartwood. Quarter-sawn Oak is cut using the heart of the wood as the edge rather than the center which create a rich look. Heavy, hard, strong and durable.
Birch: Featuring dramatic color variation, smooth grain and dramatic color and shade variation, birch is light in weight but strong. A popular choice due to it’s similarity to maple, but less expensive than maple. Birch works well in any type of setting.. (part from Wood Species Characteristics)
More tips
Kitchens tend to be affected by humidity and temperature and your cabinets need to adjust to such changes in temperature. Solid wood often expands and contracts when exposed to such humidity, leading to warping. It may be a good idea to consider using hardwood veneer and laminate alternatives.
Hardwood veneer is a thin piece of solid wood that is typically applied to plywood or particleboard with glue to give it strength. It cost less than solid wood, its uniform in finish and its grain is very consistent. Using wood veneer in cabinet doors provides constancy by minimizing its shrinking and expansion in climate changes which ultimately eliminates cracking and splitting. Also, a stain can be added to blend doors to the rest of the cabinet structure.
Characteristics Of Thomasville Cabinetry ’s Wood Species
