In any kitchen area, cabinets are crucial and functional components that demand a significant amount of expertise to achieve an ideal structure and layout. Cabinet construction relies on centuries of woodworking traditions, and present-day experts are entrusted with blending these trade practices with advanced equipment and technology.
To pursue a career in cabinetry, it is essential to have a comprehensive knowledge of wood varieties ordinarily utilized in the craft and their practical uses. Attending a reliable cabinet-making institution will offer practical woodworking lessons that will equip you with skills in identifying, choosing, and crafting various types of wood.
This article provides a summary of the recommended types of wood for making kitchen cabinets.
Oak is an option those in cabinet-making school should know about
Due to its enduring charm and toughness, oak is frequently selected for kitchen cabinets. If you want cabinets that will last forever, oak is an outstanding option. Oak is an incredibly dense and robust wood that comes in a variety of colors, ranging from light to dark brown. In cabinet-making institutions, students will discover that oak responds well to both manual and machine tools that are employed to cut and mold it.
Older, traditional kitchen cabinet designs are often linked with oak’s aesthetic. However, contemporary designs are being created by modern woodworkers who are rejuvenating its usage by utilizing new finishes. Even though oak has been traditionally stained, contemporary advancements in wood paint technology are giving the classic grain surface a fresh, updated look.
Use Maple for versatility in design
Maple is a type of hardwood that offers great versatility in its applications and is widely available, much like oak. This wood is also easy to work with, making it a convenient choice for cabinetry. Its surface has a polished, smooth appearance and its color options range from near-white to creamy. As a result of its fine texture, Maple can be painted, stained, or varnished with high-quality results. In the kitchen, Maple is an excellent option for those seeking a cohesive look. This wood’s color and texture make it adaptable to modern, contemporary, or traditional cabinetry styles. Additionally, changing the door form and finish can match the surrounding design elements.
The timeless look of Cherry
Those working on sophisticated woodworking projects will find cherry wood appealing due to its enduring and traditional appearance. Although it leans towards the pricier side, this wood boasts a luxurious grain and lively tone that will eventually darken to a reddish-brown with the application of a stain. Cherry wood has a decent amount of resilience, and its deep hue helps to minimize the appearance of blemishes, making it an excellent selection for kitchen cabinetry.
Find color variety in Walnut
With its wide range of colors and grains, walnut is a type of hardwood that provides diverse options, ranging from creamy white to dark brown. Although it may not be as commonly available as other woods, it is still relatively easy to work with and requires only a light finish to reveal its alluring natural color variations. Opting for a darker finish, if desired, will produce a more classic appearance. Being a preferred choice for kitchen cabinets, walnut lends itself to various styles, including traditional, transitional, and contemporary.
7 wood choices for woodworking beginners
For a novice, the prospect of taking on woodworking can be a daunting task. With a plethora of wood types on offer, it can be overwhelming. To address this initial concern, we’ve compiled a list of 7 species that would be worth considering for your introductory woodworking projects.
Understanding the dissimilarity between hardwood and softwood is crucial. Though their names may suggest the disparity, there is more to it. Typically, novices tend to favor softwood due to its affordability and ease of processing. Its versatility allows it to be utilized in various settings.
Although hardwood is harder to manipulate, its higher density allows for greater longevity, making it the ideal material for high-end furniture and decking.
To make an informed decision on which wood to use for your project and to anticipate any potential issues, it is crucial to have adequate knowledge about various wood types. Equally significant is being informed about maintaining and caring for the final product made of wood.
- Butternut. A coarse-textured light in color, butternut wood is commonly used for veneers, church altars, and woodenware. Butternut heartwood is medium brown in color. It is straight-grained and coarse but with a soft texture.
- White Ash. This is an inexpensive but durable wood that has a light color texture and that bends well. White ash is often used to make sports equipment like canoe paddles, baseball bats, etc. It is also used in tool handles and other items that need strength and durability.
- Balsa Wood. This is another popular wood to craft sports equipment because it is considered to be one of the lightest hardwoods. Because of this, it has great buoyancy so it is often used for model building, canoes, rafts, and more. Balsa wood’s color is usually white because it is extremely soft. Therefore, it is a great wood for woodworking beginners.
- Basswood. This is also a versatile but cheap hardwood frequently used for woodcarving. Its light, soft, fine-textured colors manifest from light to dark brown. It is also used for making kitchen utensils, toys, and crates. In consequence, it also means Basswood isn’t suitable for more durable projects.
- Birchwood. This wood is also known as paper birch because its bark peels like paper every now and then. It has creamy sapwood and darkens toward the heartwood. Because it is easy to work with hand and machine tools, Birchwood is probably one of the most famous woods with beginner furniture makers because of its cost-efficiency. Beware, however, Birchwood is perishable, and will readily rot and decay if exposed to the elements.
- Aromatic Cedar. This is unique in its red shade. The aroma is somehow spicy yet pleasing. More commonly known as red cedar, its aroma makes aromatic cedar a famous woodworking material for closets and containers. It has light and dark alternating colors and may also have dark knots, making it an eye candy, especially after finishing.
- Cherry Black Wood. Unlike its name would suggest, sapwood is light in color. The heartwood however does vary from light brown to a darker burgundy color. The wood grains look appealing and it is often used in cabinetry. Cherry is known as being one of the best all-around woods for workability with basic tools.
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