Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
by Jonah
You’ll find little more that can add value and warmth to your home like Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets. Here I will provide you a summary of five popular solid woods for cabinets and their core attributes as kitchen cabinet woods. Even if you are engaged in a kitchen cabinet refacing job, choosing the right wood kitchen cabinet doors can make or break your project.
Ash Wood Cabinets
Ash is a hardwood that makes for a durable kitchen cabinet. It is among the more dense yet flexible hardwoods, which is why it is often used for bows and guitars. For cabinets, you need to consider that it is a grainy wood with open pores. This means it may require more finish than other woods (as the pores absorb a lot of the finish) and after you finish or dye it, the grain will be even more pronounced. Ash is, however, a strong, durable wood that is often less expensive than some other higher quality hardwoods.
Oak Kitchen Cabinets
Oak Wood Cabinets
Oak is one of the most popular solid wood kitchen cabinets and oak kitchen cabinets are common in both modern and classic kitchen. Oak is a hardwood which is very durable. By default, it features a brown to red color with a more open grain. Oak can provide a classic kitchen cabinet look and is somewhat flexibile in the degree to which you stain it. You can go lighter or darker with oak. When staining, keep in mind that oak often features mineral deposits which affect the arching of the grains after a stain.
Maple Wood Cabinets
Maple is yet another durable hardwood. It features a more even and neutral grain texture. It is almost as common as oak as a cabinet wood and thus can provide very classic, accessible look. Compared to oak, however, it does have a more even grain which makes it a good choice if you want a more clean and modern appearance. Maple wood kitchen cabinets are an inexpensive way to achieve a clean, refined look.
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Pine Wood Cabinets
Pine is not a hardwood. However, it is still very popular because it is inexpensive and very easy to stain or dye. Pine has a base color that is lighter and more yellow than the other woods listed here. Pine features frequent knots and a higly grainy appearance, which lends itself well to a more rustic aesthetic.
Cherry Wood Cabinets
Cherry is probably the most expensive solid wood kitchen cabinets listed here. It is a durable hardwood with a red-brown color. It features warm tone and an even grain. Like maple, it works well in modern designs because of its clean look and even grain. However, its sap streaks can give stained finishes a more classic look, making it pretty versatile. One important thing to consider if you go with cherry for your cabinets is that it darkens with age. If possible, try to purchase aged cherry. If not, keep in mind its darkening attribute as you design your kitchen with cherry wood kitchen cabinets.
Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
Things To Consider
Be careful purchasing discount solid wood kitchen cabinets. Unfortunately it isn’t uncommon for pine cabinets to be passed as oak or maple. Be sure you buy from a reputable source and that you double check the wood. Real hardwood kitchen cabinets aren’t cheap so be suspicous if they’re heavily discounted. Ideally, you’ll buy custom kitchen cabinets, but I understand that isn’t always an option. Hopefully you can at least consider solid wood kitchen cabinet doors as you learn how to resurface kitchen cabinets.
Before you select a wood, you should pick a style. Do you want a clean, modern look or an ornate classical style? Do you want a rustic kitchen with an earthy feel or something more clean and refined? These decisions will help you focus your wood and finish choices. I hope this helps you better understand the woods available to you when you start buying kitchen cabinets or if you are considering solid wood kitchen cabinet refacing.
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