Best Woods for Cabinets

Cabinets are the focal point for kitchen and bathrooms. Cabinets must be durable, and most homeowners want cabinets that look elegant, polished, and solid. The materials that you choose to have your cabinets made from will determine the quality and durability of the cabinets. Cabinets can last a few years or decades depending on the wood that is used in the design. What kind of wood is the best for cabinets, however?

Solid Hardwoods

Solid hardwoods usually make up the doors and face frames of cabinets. Hickory, oak, maple, ash, and cherry are the most common hardwood cabinets found at major retailers. These types of wood have a high degree of resistance to scratches and dents, but hardwoods are more expensive than softwood species. Exotic species of hardwoods that must be imported will always be the most expensive but can also be the most beautiful in terms of color and design.

Cherry wood is a very trendy choice for hardwood cabinets because of the subtle grain patterns and warm color. Cherry wood is often regarded as a luxury wood and is often seen in dining room tables and chairs, china cabinets, entertainment centers, and bedroom sets. Cherry wood is a US domestic species of hardwood but is expensive.

For more reasonably priced hardwood cabinets, birch, oak, and beech woods are popular choices for cabinet makers. Oak comes in red and white. Red oak has a complex grain pattern while white oak is straighter and more streamlined. Plywood is often made from birch.

The two hardest woods are mahogany and walnut. Both woods are dark in color with red and brown tones. These woods add elegance to cabinets and other lighter woods are often stained to mimic these.

Solid Softwoods

Solid softwoods are often used in the structural elements of the cabinets. Pine, Spruce, and fir are the most commonly used softwoods for cabinets. Softwoods have a lot of knots and add a country or rustic feel to homes. Softwoods are also used in nonresidential cabinets frequently because of their low cost.

The wood you choose for your cabinets will determine the look and feel of your kitchen or bathroom. Make sure to get a feel for the different options available for you in person while shopping.