While glass and even metal cabinets are not uncommon in today’s homes, wood is still the most popular material for cabinets. However, there are many types of wood to choose from, and it can be hard to make a decision on which will bring the most benefits to your project.
Discovering the most popular wood options for home cabinets and breaking down their characteristics, aesthetics and durability will help you pick the best option to achieve your style and performance goals.
Introduction to Wood Cabinets
Cabinets serve an essential function in homes, particularly in kitchens, where they’re used to store items like dishes, appliances, food and cooking tools. Cabinets also provide an aesthetic function, reducing visual as well as spatial clutter, and providing a cohesive look to the space.
Wood is a highly popular choice for its natural yet versatile aesthetic, its practicality and its durability. Popular types of wood for cabinets include oak, maple, cherry, birch and hickory, as well as wood composites such as MDF and plywood.
Common Wood Species Used in Cabinetry
Oak Wood Cabinets
Oak is known for its sturdiness and attractive natural tone and grain patterns. The two most popular variations of oak are red oak and white oak. Red oak features bold grain patterns that can often remain visible after multiple coats of stain and is generally more affordable than white oak.
The grain patterns of white oak are often more subtle than those of red oak, and the tone is slightly warmer and more golden. White oak is slightly stronger than red oak and typically a little more costly.
Maple Wood Cabinets
Maple is a lightly toned wood with a fine grain. Unlike many other types of wood, its color doesn’t vary much at all, almost always being a light beige with yellowish tones.
This wood is known for being resistant to higher temperatures than other types of wood, and is also slightly more expensive than some others. Maple pairs particularly well with stains, paints and finishes, making it a good option for customization.
Cherry Wood Cabinets
Usually pricier than oak and maple, cherry is a durable wood that ranges from red to brown in color, getting darker over time as a result of sun exposure. Cherry wood has a fine grain that is known for being aesthetically pleasing, either in its natural state or with additional staining.
Birch Wood Cabinets
Another fine-grain variety of wood, birch is typically light in tone, but its color varies from a yellowish tint to a white hue. Birch cabinets react well with finishes and stains, so any variations can be altered. Birch is durable and usually costs slightly less than woods like cherry and maple.
Hickory Wood Cabinets
Hickory wood has a similar grain to that of oak, with plenty of color variations, from very pale beige all the way to nearly black. Hickory is one of the strongest types of wood available, is more moderately priced than high-end woods like cherry and responds well to finishes.
Cabinet Construction Types
Solid Wood
Solid hardwood comes from a single piece of thick wood (of any species of tree), rather than a composite of layers. Solid wood is a good choice for homeowners who want their cabinets to maintain their durability and look classic and natural.
Plywood
Plywood is one of the most cost-effective wood choices out there and offers a good level of strength for its low price point. It is composed of many layers of wood veneer and is resistant to temperature changes, making it unlikely to warp. However, plywood usually needs sealing and finishing to maximize its aesthetics.
Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) and Particleboard
MDF is an engineered composite wood that is affordable and versatile. If you want customized cabinets, MDF can be cut easily with a saw. While solid hardwood can expand and contract with temperature changes, MDF will not. MDF requires sealing and can be an excellent option if you are looking to paint your cabinets.
Choosing the Right Wood Cabinet for Your Project
Budget Considerations
Whether you’re a homeowner or a contractor working on a project, budget is a key concern.
In most cases, you will need to balance both costs and your requirements. Remember that higher-quality woods with higher upfront costs may be a better long-term investment, especially if the house is later sold with the cabinets in place.
Design and Finish Preferences
When it comes to the versatility of design, engineered woods (such as MDF and plywood) can be better than solid woods, as they are easier to shape to your liking. However, many prioritize the natural, authentic look of solid woods over the versatility of engineered woods, but this all comes down to personal preferences.
Durability and Maintenance
Durability is perhaps the most crucial of all factors when choosing a cabinet. Although the quality of the cabinet’s construction will be an important factor in its strength and ability to withstand pressure, the choice of material will also play a significant role.
If you’re looking for premium durability, woods like white oak, maple, hickory and cherry may be the best options. However, if a lower level of strength is sufficient for your requirements and if warping is more of a concern than impact-related damage, engineered woods like plywood or MDF may be preferable.
Berry Home Centers: Creating Design Perfection With Quality Cabinets
At Berry Home Centers, we offer a range of wood cabinet products to suit all kinds of projects. Our dedication to customer service and the quality of our suppliers has made us the leading independent locally-owned supplier of building materials in the Southwest Virginia/Northeast Tennessee region.
In addition to cabinets, we also offer various other products, including tools, paint, lumber and hardware, and design consultations to make any home project a breeze. Check out our solutions and services for more information on our offerings, or request a quote by contacting our team.