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Choosing the right wood for your cabinets
Wood selections can be critical to the look and
feel of your home or office environment. This informational guide
offers a little insight on wood options by describing each species
and why it is generally used. StyleCraft, in its standard offerings,
showcases thirteen different species of wood, all of which are
listed below. Although considered our standard options, we welcome
woodworking projects of any wood or veneers that are available
which we can engineer into the product. If you have a vision of
a design or creation from woods outside of our standard offerings,
just let us know. Our capabilities are endless!
Only the highest quality materials are used in StyleCraft
cabinetry. Our cabinets are constructed of both plywood that has
a veneer of the specie and solid wood that is used for framing,
door construction, or other applications. The veneers we use are
all plain sliced or better, which means that the grain of the
veneer is straighter and more consistent than, for example, rotary-cut
veneer which is less expensive and less attractive. The solid
woods for the doors and frames are selected for their consistency
in color and grain and even a natural finish will have limited,
but very pleasing, variation to the color and grain of the wood.
The types of wood that you can
select from are:
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Cherry
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A premium hardwood often associated with fine furniture.
Cherry wood is characterized by a distinctive and subtle
grain pattern, the presence of sap marks, or slight dark
inclusions in the surface, and a reddish color. Cherry is
also noted for the way it changes color as it is exposed
to light; it deepens and mellows as it ages, and when the
pieces have been selected properly, it will age evenly and
beautifully. Never accept Cherry with light color pieces
in a panel. This is a sap wood which is not acceptable in
first quality cabinets. Back to top.
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Knotty Cherry
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All of the characteristics of the Cherry wood except that
we specify it with knots to give a more rustic or antique
appearance. These knots are not open and do not detract
from the overall quality of the product. Back
to top.
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Maple
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A hard, durable wood that tends to have very little grain
definition. It is a popular wood for cabinet construction
and again, when properly selected, will result in an even,
pleasant appearance. In our opinion, Maple is much more
desirable in light colors than dark. Sometimes the grain
of this wood can absorb a dark stain in a very uneven pattern,
which can detract from the natural beauty of the wood. Back
to top.
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Red Oak
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A versatile hardwood that has a pronounced open grain and
a reddish color. Red Oak is very popular for cabinet construction
because it wears well and is reasonably priced. In lighter
colors, the amount of the grain influences the overall color
because the open grain typically absorbs more of the stain
than the other surfaces. In darker colors, the influence
of the grain is diminished. Back to top.
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White Oak
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This very heavy hardwood is not white at all, but rather
a very attractive gray/brown that, when properly finished,
can be used very effectively and can produce a stunning
look. It is often specified in its natural color with perhaps
some accent staining or antiquing, called "glazing."
Back to top.
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Quartersawn Oak
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By cutting oak from the log in a different way, it is possible
to have a very straight and controlled grain. This was often
done in furniture built around the turn of the 19th century,
particularly Stickley furniture or some of the prairie pieces
that are gaining in popularity. There is a substantial premium
for ordering cabinets made of this wood, but the end result
is a very distinctive look. (Please see our portfolio page
on "Customized designs to fit any space"). Back
to top.
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Knotty Pine
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This softwood is most recognizable to everyone. Its rustic
appearance results in a casual look that many people like
and prefer. A word of caution--this wood does not wear as
well as the hardwoods, and dents and dings cannot be avoided.
Even with these shortcomings, however, beautiful cabinets
and furniture pieces can be yours. Back
to top.
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Pine |
Same as Knotty without the knots. It is more expensive
because it must be selected, but it too can be used to craft
beautiful cabinets. Back to top.
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Birch
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When people specify Birch, they are most commonly referring
to White Birch. This wood is hard and serviceable with very
little grain definition. Like Maple, it is best finished
in lighter colors and, in fact, it is sometimes difficult
to distinguish from Maple. This specie of wood fools even
many experts. Back to top.
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Red Birch
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Red Birch does not come from a Red Birch tree, but rather
from the heart of the White Birch tree. This wood is selected
for its reddish color and very beautiful and distinctive
grain. Some people even think it approaches the look of
Cherry. Almost always left its natural color, Red Birch
is used for a casual look where the natural beauty of the
wood is to be emphasized. Back to top.
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Mahogany
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Straight grain, brown in color and very durable all describe
Mahogany. While only a limited number of cabinets are ordered
in this expensive wood, those constructed of Mahogany are
truly striking. Sometimes left in its natural state but
more often finished in deep rich colors, these cabinets
will take on the appearance of fine old furniture. Back
to top.
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Ash
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Ash can be mistaken for Oak, and its characteristics are
similar, but it has a whiter color and a grain pattern that
is different and not nearly as open. Usually left natural
or lightly colored with a white grain filling stain, Ash
takes on a color and look that is very distinctive. It should
be used when you want to see the natural beauty and variation
of the wood. Back to top.
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Walnut
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Walnut isn't used very often for kitchen cabinets and only
occasionally for other room furniture as it is expensive
and tends to be very dark in color. It is just not as well
suited to today's contemporary tastes. However, it is a
hardwood that is serviceable. StyleCraft has built specialized
pieces over the years and has also adapted it to kitchens,
but we believe it should be considered for only a very traditional
look. Back to top.
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