Types of Wood Cabinets
Find Your Favorite Cabinet Wood Type
With so many beautiful choices for wood cabinets, where to begin? Whether you want cherry, maple, oak, alder, hickory, birch, walnut or pecan cabinets, here are some key considerations, including natural characteristics of wood cabinets in general, plus unique characteristics of individual woods, to help you find your favorite cabinet wood type. We also offer information on cabinets made of compound materials, another popular option.
Cherry Wood Cabinets
Cherry cabinets are characterized by their red undertones, but may vary in color from white to a deep rich brown. Cherry has a smooth, close-grained appearance with a fairly uniform texture and random markings. The even grain allows finishes to be applied with ease.
Maple Wood Cabinets
Maple cabinets are predominately white to creamy-white in color, with occasional reddish-brown tones within a cabinet door panel. The subtle grain pattern of Maple wood creates a smooth, uniform appearance.
Oak Wood Cabinets
Oak cabinets have distinct grain patterns and range in color from white to pink and reddish tones. Streaks of green, yellow and even black may appear due to mineral deposits in the wood.
Alder Wood Cabinets
Alder cabinets are characterized by light brown and reddish undertones. Alder has a straight and even-textured wood grain with indistinct boundaries between the heartwood and the sapwood.
Hickory Wood Cabinets
Hickory cabinets have a naturally contrasting appearance due to the heartwood and sapwood of the Hickory wood. The color may range from blonde or white to reddish-brown and dark brown.
Birch Wood Cabinets
Birch cabinets have a smooth surface texture with a tight wood grain that is strong and heavy. The predominant sapwood color of Birch is white to creamy yellow, while the heartwood varies from medium to dark brown to reddish brown.
Walnut Wood Cabinets
Walnut cabinets feature graceful grain patterns and muted brown hues. The smooth, fine and general straight wood grain has colors that range from deep chocolate to light reddish-gray brown.
Pecan Wood Cabinets
Pecan cabinets range from blonde or white to reddish-brown and dark brown. The dramatic wood colors within a piece come courtesy of this wood type’s heartwood and sapwood.
Compound Materials
MasterBrand offers many choices for compound materials that are highly durable, less susceptible to discoloration and easy to maintain, including laminate cabinets, thermofoil cabinets and more.