If you’re considering updating your kitchen, you can’t beat the beauty and value of wooden cabinets. As the trusted provider of quality cabinets in Baltimore, MD, Current Cabinetry can design and install your perfect cabinets. We’ve crafted premium cabinets since 2017 and can help you choose the right type of wood.
Four Types of Wooden Cabinets
You will find four general types of wooden cabinets to choose from:
1. Solid Hardwood
If you’re looking for the best investment, consider hardwood. Crafted from real wood, it sports incredible cabinet durability and longevity. You may spend more, but you’ll get what you pay for in terms of quality. It’s also the best option for highlighting the natural beauty of the wood.
2. Engineered Wood
Engineered wood glues together thin layers to produce a wood-like texture. It is more affordable and resistant to temperature and moisture but doesn’t last as long and requires significant maintenance.
3. Veneer
Veneers consist of thin sheets of real wood over a base of particle board or plywood. They’re a great option for eco-friendly cabinets with decent durability and an affordable price point. However, like all faux wood options, they require significant maintenance and pale in the longevity department.
4. Laminate
Laminate can impart the look of real wood for a much lower investment. It also comes in a variety of styles and cabinet finishes. However, it often cracks or peels over time, and you may have more trouble repairing it than wooden cabinets.
Best Cabinet Wood Options
If you’re thinking about real hardwood for your wood kitchen cabinets, consider the advantages and disadvantages of the following options.
Alder
Alder has a simple grain with fine, straight lines. It provides a uniform light brown color with red undertones. Using alder for your custom wood cabinets brings these benefits:
- Alder remains one of the most affordable semi-hardwoods, partially due to its light weight.
- You can easily sand or manipulate it because it’s softer than other types of wood.
- Alder’s durability reduces its chance of cracking in wet and dry climates.
- Alder looks great when you stain it; its natural grain provides a warm and inviting appearance.
- Many homeowners choose alder because it perfectly accentuates a rustic kitchen.
Cherry
Cherry has a wider variety of hues ranging from reds to browns that darken as the wood ages. Experts consider it a high-end wood. You’ll pay more for it, but you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
- As one of the hardest woods, cherry resists dents and damage better than other semi-hardwoods.
- Though more resistant than softer woods like alder, you can still sand and polish it to great effect.
- The warmth and grain of a cherry cabinet look great when you stain it.
However, cherry also has some disadvantages. It doesn’t stand up to moisture as well and requires maintenance to keep it in excellent condition.
Hickory
Though it has a similar grain structure to oak, when you choose hickory for your wooden cabinets, you’ll have a wider range of color options. It can vary from pale cream to dark brown. As one of the hardest woods, hickory has the following advantages:
- It resists scratches, cracks, dents, and more.
- You won’t have to perform much maintenance on it.
- It has a distinct grain pattern that gives your kitchen a unique look.
What are the disadvantages of hickory? It is difficult to stain and does not hold up well in areas with high moisture, like bathrooms. The wide color variation can make it difficult to find cabinets that match.
Maple
Maple’s grain resembles alder and cherry, and the hue consists of light brown with off-white undertones. It remains a popular choice for contemporary and farmhouse-style kitchens because of the following characteristics:
- Maple cabinets can withstand wear and tear despite significant daily use.
- As a non-porous wood, maple works well in rooms with high humidity or moisture.
- You can easily stain most maple, though denser sections may give you trouble.
Walnut
Popular with traditional and transitional styles, walnut has colors ranging from reddish-gray to dark chocolate. While the grain stays uniform, it can highlight unique patterns like swirls. You’ll love the following features of this wood:
- Walnut provides significant durability, making it great for areas where you use it daily.
- You won’t worry about water damage, so you can use it in bathrooms or wipe it down with water.
- With a wide range of colors, you can use walnut for almost any kitchen style.
- These cabinets don’t require much maintenance; you’ll only need to dust them occasionally.
What disadvantages does walnut have? It is more vulnerable to termites than most other woods, but you can seal it to prevent that. The density of the wood can make staining difficult.
Red Oak
Red oak remains a popular choice for kitchens because it provides a great balance between affordability and durability. You’ll love its distinct curved grain and its light-reddish hue. Consider the following benefits of red oak:
- You can stain it easily, and it absorbs the finish evenly without the risk of blotching.
- It works with a wide range of styles.
- You’ll love how it looks with glass doors.
- It can withstand wear and tear, and its grain pattern easily hides scratches.
If you don’t like the look of natural defects in your cabinets, you may want to avoid red oak. As a more porous wood, it should be avoided in bathrooms or climates with high humidity.
White Oak
White oak differs from red oak in more than just its color. White oak has a subtler grain and greater durability, which also makes it more expensive. While it matches a neutral color palette better than red oak, you’ll find it more difficult to stain.
Poplar
If you want beautiful wooden cabinets, consider investing in poplar. Though technically a softwood, it has impressive durability, you can stain it easily, and you won’t worry about inconsistent appearance. It remains one of the most affordable woods for crafting custom cabinets.
You should keep in mind that poplar can dent more easily than hardwoods. You’ll also need to maintain it regularly, which can offset any upfront savings you derive from its lower price point.
Caring for Your Wood Cabinets
After you install new wood cabinets, how can you care for them and ensure they last as long as possible? Their life expectancy depends on the type of wood you choose, but with the following tips, you can expect them to last upward of 20 years:
- Clean Frequently: Clean your cabinets a couple of times every month. Use a lint-free cloth with warm soapy water. Avoid using a dishcloth or sponge to prevent cross-contamination.
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Even if you choose a wood that can handle large temperature changes, you should avoid placing hot appliances directly under your cabinets.
- Dry Promptly: Dry your cabinets promptly after cleaning or if you splash water on them. If something spills inside them, wipe it up immediately.
In all instances, it’s important to ensure your kitchen has proper ventilation.
Start Designing Your Wood Cabinets Today
When you want the perfect wooden cabinets for your dream kitchen, reach out to Current Cabinetry. Whether you’re looking for the best cabinet hardware for your existing cabinets or want to design completely new full-height cabinets, we do it all with excellence. We expertly install cabinets and only offer the highest-quality kitchen cabinet materials for a surprisingly affordable price to bring your vision to life.
You can obtain design help by filling out our online form or calling (410) 609-7077.