Here's A Look at The Most Common Types of Wood Cabinets

Solid wood is the preferred option for kitchen cabinetry because it has less of an impact on the environment compared to other materials, lasts longer than a lifetime, and has a positive effect on mental and physical health. The only drawback to using wood is that it costs more than any other kitchen cabinet material, not counting stainless steel. If you're renovating, building, or upgrading some of the features in your kitchen, there's only one item that deserves your attention. You can express your personal style and taste with a wide range of materials. In this article, we'll dive deep into the most common types of wood for kitchen cabinets. Just keep reading!

Oak Wood Cabinets

Oak is strong, durable, and relatively inexpensive, available in various styles and finishes. It provides an authentic look that improves and develops with age, so oak may be significantly stronger than on the day it was installed. Trends come and go, but choosing an option based on form and function is the most important part of updating your kitchen. Depending on the quality of the cabinets you purchase, a solid wood kitchen can last up to 10 or 15 years before showing signs of aging. This is good news considering that the cabinets are the longest-lasting units of your kitchen.

Organic in origin, oak wood is more hygienic because the surface avoids collecting dust, foul odors, or bacteria. Because they're so strong, oak kitchens can accommodate heavier and sturdier dishes for everyday use, but they're not indestructible. The amount of weight the kitchen can hold depends on the different parts of the cabinet - shelves, base door, etc. Back on topic, red oak features pronounced grain patterns, so it's mostly used for traditional kitchen styles, while white oak has a subtler grain and is available as a custom option.

Hard Maple Cabinets

Owing to its soft grain, maple wood works with both traditional and contemporary designs. If you want to embrace the natural imperfections of wood, a traditional kitchen is an excellent choice. A traditional kitchen is homely and welcoming, with simplistic cabinet doors - it's designed to last, so it won't go out of style as the years go by.

The traditional kitchen has a warm interior, wooden beams, and intricate millwork, not to mention an age-old atmosphere. If you want a contemporary design, opt for custom or semi-custom cabinets, stained or dressed with a clear natural finish.

Cherry Wood Cabinets

Cherry wood looks amazingly beautiful, so if you're on a mission to make a beautiful first impression in your kitchen, install cherry wood kitchen cabinets. The hardwood used for making the units remains strong and durable over time. Cherry wood is elegant and exudes warmth. Cherry kitchen cabinets are ideal for those who want something traditional yet modern in style, design, and pattern.

The cherry wood ranges from a light pinkish brown to a deep reddish brown, with the hue becoming more deepening over time. It resists cracking and warping. Compared to other options, cherry wood cabinets are pricey; this isn't good news if you're working on a tight budget.

Shaker-style cabinets feature minimal detailing, so they blend in seamlessly into any design style. The simplicity of the kitchen units allows the natural beauty of cherry wood to shine through. The hinges are often hidden, so the eye is automatically drawn to other details (e.g., the finish). Kitchen units made from cherry wood aren't the cheapest or the most expensive, so they tend to be considered mid-range. Even contemporary designs benefit from shaker-style cabinets. As a matter of fact, they make the décor feel less striking or sterile while maintaining a sense of taste and style.

Birch Wood Cabinets

The only drawback to birch wood is that it's resistant to dark stains, meaning that going dark will result in an unappealing blotchy, uneven look. At any rate, birch wood will provide a sturdy structure for the cabinets in your home without posing an unnecessary safety hazard for your family. If you're placing the kitchen units along an outside wall, the weight capacity will be lower if you're installing them in the corner of the room, say.

Use drill guide holes for a cleaner installation. Maybe you want a minimalist interior. In that case, make sure the space isn't empty. The appearance can be clean but filled with sleek appliances and breathtaking finishes.

Hickory Wood Cabinets

Hickory wood is a great choice for the production of kitchen units because it's strong and durable – it can last for a lifetime. It's lighter than oak but much the same in terms of grain pattern and strength, the aesthetics of the unfinished cabinet doors and drawer fronts make the entire kitchen feel like outdoors.

Hickory wood cabinets can easily be restored and repaired, so you can affordably bring the kitchen back to life. All you need to keep the kitchen clean is a sponge dipped in water and a soap solution. Don't ever use abrasive detergents because they can damage the finish.

All in all

There are various factors to take into consideration when settling on the best wood for kitchen cabinets, such as durability and hardness, aesthetics and grain patterns, responsiveness to stains and finishes, cost and budget, and style and design compatibility.

In case you didn't already know, solid wood kitchen units don't have any additives, so they're environmentally friendly. If you're an eco-conscious homeowner, you should select materials that are natural, recyclable, and, above all, non-pollutant. Oak, hard maple, cherry, birch, and hickory are all hardwood options, each offering one-of-a-kind benefits. Not only must you invest in quality construction, but you must also follow adequate maintenance procedures.

Wood alternatives, such as Thermofoil and laminate, provide the same look at a lower cost, but they're not particularly environmentally friendly. Solid wood kitchens are longer-lasting, climate-friendly, and undoubtedly more beautiful than mass-produced units. Oak is a mid-range option, but you can get great deals if you purchase directly from the manufacturer. Opt for a matte finish over a glossy one for easier maintenance.