Cabinets can add so much character to a space – with seemingly endless options, cabinets can make a room feel light and airy, dark and moody, or warm and earthy. When picking out custom cabinets for your space, knowing the differences between wood types and finishes can help you customize the right cabinets for you.
Wood Types
Each type of wood has its unique characteristics and benefits. Below are some of the main attributes that each type offers.
- Knotty Alder
This type of wood usually is light brown in hue and is decorated with mineral streaks and natural imperfections. It is excellent for staining, easily customizable to create darker tones if desired. Cabinets made with knotty alder make the space feel earthy, cozy, and homey. - Cherry
Cherry is a reddish-brown wood that brightens up a space while keeping it warm. Within cherry, Rasmussen Custom Cabinetry offers two different kinds: standard cherry, and rustic cherry. The classic cherry wood has no knots, providing a good option for modern homes, while rustic cherry includes many knots, perfect for farmhouse style designs. - Hickory
Hickory wood is a beautiful balance of light and dark tones, complemented with the natural grain patterns. This provides a homey atmosphere, while maintaining a sophisticated feel in the room. Rasmussen also offers a Rustic Hickory Calico, which allows for maximum color and banding variation. The strength of this wood gives it a durability that is perfect for kitchens and living rooms. - Maple
Nothing beats a classic and maple wood is definitely timeless. It has a creamy color with a uniform grain pattern, which provides a versatile base for any look. Because of its lighter color, maple is ideal for staining or painting. Rustic maple is often a popular choice because of how customizable it is. This wood is sturdy, resistant to moisture and scratches, and is an excellent choice for any room. - Rift White Oak
This unique kind of oak is perfect for showcasing your space – its sleek, neutral tones provide the room with an airy, modern feel. For further customization, this wood is easily stained to accomplish the look you want. Scratch-resistant and durable, rift white oak is definitely a good investment. - Rustic Walnut
If you like the cozy warmth of a cabin in the woods, then this is the perfect choice of wood. Rustic walnut has deeper, earthy tones that can be stained to achieve either a modern or antique look, depending on your wants. Walnut will often stain very darkly, which enhances the grain patterns and leads to a rich and luxurious look. - Red-Oak Plain Swan
For those who like the look of rustic walnut, but can’t afford the price tag, Rasmussen provides red-oak plain swan as a more flexible alternative. It has a warmer base, but can easily be stained to achieve the look of most other woods. This wood can adapt to be a rustic or a timeless look and can work well in whatever space you’d like.
Finish Types
Similar to selecting a wood for your cabinets, choosing a finish can impact the look of the final result. Maybe you would like to keep the natural elements of the wood as is, or maybe you want to stain it or paint it to look a certain way. Wherever you stand, knowing the options can help you pick what will be best for you.
- Oil-Based Stains
Oil is a great option if you are wanting to adjust the color of the wood while maintaining the wood’s original grain. It soaks into the wood to provide a long-lasting look in the style you want it. - Water-Based Stains
If you would still like to stain your wood but would prefer a quicker, more environmentally-friendly option, then water-based stains are a great alternative. The wood is able to dry more quickly with this kind of stain and the cabinets will be more easily recyclable. - Glaze Finishes
Maybe you want to preserve the wood without impacting the color or look of it. Glaze can be a great option, due to its ability to function as a clear sealant and provide an extra layer of protection for your cabinets. - Paint
A classic option that allows for endless customization options, paint is a great choice for cabinets in any space. There are multiple kinds of paint that you can choose from: oil, acrylic, chalk, water-based, and latex. Each of these comes with its own set of benefits, but paint can be an easy way to finish off the look of your cabinets if you don’t want the look of the natural wood showing.
Rasmussen Custom Cabinetry offers all of these options of wood types and finishes, providing the materials you need for the look you want.