Choosing the best wood for cabinets can be a challenge. After all, you must pick the one that can hold up wear and tear when cooking in the kitchen while serving an eye-catching design or style.
Perhaps you’ve been searching the net for the right wood for your kitchen cabinet doors. If so, read this guide prepared by our wood experts!
Popular Types Of Wood Cabinets
The solid wood kitchen cabinets you must invest in should have functionality and style. However, every wood used in kitchen cabinets has a unique appearance and quality.
Here are the most popular wood cabinet varieties that our woodworkers rely on:
1. Maple
Maple cabinets are the popular wood species choice as they are relatively versatile. This wooden cabinet material allows fitting in most home decor styles. Further, you can paint them any color you desire. However, you can’t use maple as wood for making axe throwing targets.
Hard Maple
Wood kitchen cabinets made of hard maple can withstand high force or abuse and are highly resistant to scratches and dents. Additionally, they’re easy to clean and eco-friendly.
Soft Maple
You must apply a pre-stain wood conditioner before applying a stain to this kind of kitchen cabinet. Soft maple’s surface can get blotchy when stained compared to hard maple.
What We Like
- Highly durable hardwood
- Easy to stain and paint
- Versatile hardwood
- Moisture-resistant
What We Don't Like
- Prone to insect attacks
- Can get yellowish when exposed to sunlight
2. Oak
Oak is typically available in different colors, from dark red to lighter shades depending on the type of oak and whether you have applied a light or dark stain.
Red and white oak cabinets also have a distinctive aesthetic quality that adapts to modern styles.
Red Oak
According to Janka’s hardness scale, the red oak rating is 1,260 lbf. This allows red oak cabinets to have high resistance against harsh wear and tear. Red oak also has pink undertones, adding uniqueness to one’s kitchen cabinet.
Rift-Cut White Oak
Rift-cut white oak is much lighter in color than red oak. However, white oak still bears slight purple and pink hues. White oak has a straight grain pattern that cuts like flakes.
What We Like
- Sturdy
- Easy to repair and maintain
- Can withstand heavy loads
- Wear-and-tear resistant
What We Don't Like
- Pricey
- Darkens over time
3. Birch
As per our woodworkers’ experiences, birch kitchen cabinets adapt to contemporary styles. Additionally, birch cabinets have excellent finishing properties, making them easier to paint while maintaining their farmhouse styles.
Birch wood can also effortlessly absorb dark stains and fit your desired design. Additionally, birch is one of the best wood types for bathroom shelves.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Decay-resistant
- Has modern look
- Easy to paint and stain
What We Don't Like
- Not moisture and weather resistant
- Can easily crack and wrap under dry conditions
4. Walnut
Like most wood cabinets, walnut cabinets are extremely durable, with high resistance against scratches and dents. Interestingly, walnut cabinets and kitchen tables can hold heavy stuff without chipping or cracking.
What We Like
- Highly durable
- Resistant to mold and water
- Eco-friendly
- Easy to stain and paint
What We Don't Like
- Tough to install
- Expensive
5. Pine
If you aim for a softwood that is easy to work with, consider looking for pine wood cabinets. Based on our resident woodworkers, pine cabinets are the ideal option for cabinetry for woodworking beginners.
What We Like
- Has a rustic appearance
- Resistant to moisture
- Unsusceptible to swelling and shrinking
- Lightweight
What We Don't Like
- Needs high maintenance
- Prone to dents
6. Poplar
Poplar cabinets are softer than other best woods, making it easier to nail and screw. Furthermore, poplar wood cabinets vary in color. However, they look less appealing with a natural appearance.
What We Like
- Affordable
- Easy to nail and screw
- Lightweight
- High workability
What We Don't Like
- Too soft
- Susceptible to dents
7. Hickory
Hickory wood is more rigid and stronger than oak and maple wood. Its flame-like wood grain pattern provides an illusion of a casual look. In addition, hickory cabinets have a variety of colors ranging from white to reddish brown.
What We Like
- Easy to stain and paint
- Highly durable
- Has a variety of colors
- Wear-and-tear resistant
What We Don't Like
- Costly
- Susceptible to insect attacks
8. Mahogany
Mahogany wood kitchen cabinets have straight wood grains and expansiveness, making them a luxurious choice for wood materials. Hence, only a few people have Mahogany cabinets. It needs regular maintenance and can be very expensive in the long run.
What We Like
- Easy to stain and paint
- High durability
- Rich reddish brown color
- Sturdy
What We Don't Like
- Hard to find and replace
- Darkens over time
9. Cherry
Cherry wood has beginner-friendly features. They are excellent for nailing, polishing, gluing, and screwing, perfect for newbie woodworkers. Aside from that, cherry cabinets look traditional, warm, and inviting.
What We Like
- Lightweight
- Smooth surface texture
- With a nice rich look
- Excellent finishing properties
What We Don't Like
- Pricey
- Prone to scratches
10. Ash
Ash is a wooden cabinet material that has a heavyweight handling ability. On top of that, ash wood custom cabinets are perfect for those who pay attention to details. They have an attractive unique look with a good finish.
What We Like
- Shock-resistant
- Can be installed in large spaces
- Nice wood grain patterns
- Sturdy
What We Don't Like
- Flammable than most wood cabinet materials
- Needs high maintenance
11. Beech
Beech bathroom and wood kitchen cabinets are less expensive and last for years. Beechwood has a lovely texture with a more subtle grain pattern. You can also color them as you wish while being cost-effective.
What We Like
- High workability
- Easy to stain and paint
- Can hold heavy things
- Shock-resistant
What We Don't Like
- Susceptible to pests
- Poor moisture resistance
12. Spruce
Spruce wood is one of the most commonly used in the cabinet industry. It has a straight grain pattern with a high hardness quality. You can see spruce cabinets in garages and shops.
What We Like
- Highly flexible
- Cost-effective
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- Lightweight
What We Don't Like
- Susceptible to insect attacks
- Not decay-resistant
13. Douglas Fir
The following wood material is less durable than other woods. However, the Douglas Fir woods for kitchen cabinets can last years with regular maintenance and a good finish.
What We Like
- Decay resistant
- Versatile
- Highly flexible
- Chemical-free
What We Don't Like
- Needs regular maintenance
- Susceptible to insect attacks
14. Alder
Knotty Alder wood cabinet doors have a rustic natural finish that improves the woodwork quality. Its natural beauty can easily match your office, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom designs.
What We Like
- Versatile
- Eco-friendly
- High availability
- Easy to paint and stain
What We Don't Like
- Too soft
- Prone to scratches
15. Bamboo
Bamboo solid wood cabinets have a high resistance to splits and cracks. It is also softer than some hardwoods, but its strength is unbeatable.
What We Like
- Easy installation
- Water-resistant
- Sturdy
- Highly durable
What We Don't Like
- Prone to deterioration
- Has numerous wood quality variations
16. Plywood
Plywood frameless painted cabinets are popular cabinets in Europe. This material is not only for interior house aesthetics but also for construction purposes.
What We Like
- Can bend
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- Not water-resistant
- Hard to sand and paint
Are All Wood Types Created Equal?
The short answer is no. The best wood for cabinetry relies on an individual’s personal taste, preference, and budget. Additionally, the construction method in the cabinet making must follow your housing’s specific needs.
Hard vs Soft Wood
The Janka hardness test determines how hard or soft your wood is. Ensure that you have chosen the wood species that matches your house interior.
Grain
Wood patterns range from pronounced grain patterns to straight, spiral, and curvy natural grain patterns. They are an excellent touch to your space.
Color
You will have no difficulties finding the perfect wood color for your cabinet wood types. Wood cabinets are available in various colors, from light brown to dark brown.
Pre-Assembled vs RTA Cabinets
Ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets are the most popular options for those who want to save pennies on shipping and installation. On the other hand, pre-assembled cabinets are ideal for those who are not short on cash and have time to assemble themselves.
Read Next: Best Wood for Birdhouses
Conclusion
According to our resident woodworkers, the best wood for cabinets has no one-size-fits-all answer. However, the vital features you must look for are its longevity, highly durable wood, and paint-grade wood with a medium-density fiberboard [1].
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