How to Choose Your Wood Species

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According to research, the world’s largest forest database reveals there are approximately 73,300 tree species on earth. How on earth do cabinet makers determine the type of wood appropriate for cabinetry? Well, it's all about a bit of science! We won’t bore you with details, but several details have been researched in order to come to this conclusion and it all begins with individual wood properties:

1. Color and Odor (the natural color of wood affects the final color of a stained wood finish). Odor…not much need for explanation here, nobody asks for wood that stinks! 

2. Moisture Content. All woods are hygroscopic, which means they absorb moisture from the atmosphere as well as release it into the atmosphere. Woods used for indoor use should only have about 9% moisture. Moisture levels should be proportional to the strength of the wood. 

3. Specific Gravity. The specific gravity of wood is always less than 1 (the SG of water). When wood is compressed too much, it damages the porosity in it and it becomes heavier than water. 

4. Density. The unit volume of material is defined as Mass Density. Depending on the tree species and its environment in which it grows causes wood to have a different density. What we look for is a more dense wood as that wood is stronger. Strong wood is ideal for building products that need to be durable and last a long time. 

5. Weight. Cabinet Makers search for wood that is light to make different pieces. 

After all of that, we have to examine various cosmetic reasons to use particular woods. We look at grain patterns and how those patterns affect the overall appearance of finished products. 

We start with the three main types of wood: Softwoods, Hardwoods and Manufactured Wood. Cabinet Makers primarily use Hardwoods (see above pic). 

~ Hardwoods are the most versatile wood type. They are beautiful substances that come with varieties of species, features and colors. They have higher strength and durability. 

~ Maple is great for painting and very smooth to the touch.

~ Alderwood is great for staining as it provides a nice even finished look (other species can turn more blotchy). 

~ Oak and Mahogany are also more blotchy. If a lot of grain is desired, oak is the way to go. 

~ Walnut and Rift White Oak are beautiful, but expect to pay top dollar. Also, they are so beautiful and natural is the way to go. 

~ Pecan and Cherry have lost their luster due to high costs, but again, why use it if covering up that beauty with stain or paint. 

So, what do we use the most? It's easy, Maple for painted projects, Alder for staining and Oak for darker stains in which much grain pattern is desired. 

But then, if budget is the least of your concerns, there is not much else that compares to nice solid Walnut open shelves above a painted cabinet in Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige.

Options are endless. Be imaginative and Have fun!