Best Wood for Cabinetry

Kitchen cabinets are a central part of any kitchen, making finding the best wood for cabinets a priority. 

Whether you’re upgrading your home’s current cabinets or running a small business wanting to offer high-quality cabinets to your customers, this article will help you find the best woods for kitchen cabinets.

What to Look For in Cabinetry Wood

Woods range in durability, color, versatility, and more. When it comes to finding the best wood for kitchen cabinets, you should first determine what style of cabinet you’re going for, then start looking at characteristics like:

Color and Grain Pattern

You must pick the wood color and pattern that best complements your kitchen design. Cherry wood, for example, has a lighter appearance and is one of the best woods for kitchen cabinets with a minimalist and rustic design.

Durability 

The best wood for kitchen cabinets should be durable and resistant to scratches and scuffs.

A wood’s durability is measured on the Janka hardness scale, with maple—for example—reaching 1420, making it more durable than cherry wood (920 on the Janka scale).

Malleability

Some woods are more difficult to work with than others. 

Of course, a quality wood CNC machine will have no problem cutting or etching through any wood type, but beginner woodworkers should consider easy woods, such as those without large, open pores. 

Paint and Finishes

Great cabinetry is only as good as its finish. When choosing the best wood for your cabinets, consider the type of finish that best suits them.

If you want to showcase wood’s natural beauty, consider a natural clear finish. If you want to paint your cabinets a specific color, invest in paint-grade wood.

Versatility

Believe it or not, you can’t use just any type of wood for your projects. Polar wood, for example, is an excellent option for shelves, cabinet doors, and other wood projects.  

On the other hand, hickory wood is harder to work with because of its weight and extreme durability. This makes it a more restrictive wood for at-home projects, especially without the right resources like a wood CNC router.

What is the Best Wood For Kitchen Cabinets?

Now that you know what to look for when choosing the best wood for kitchen cabinets, let’s look at the different woods you can choose from and what makes them ideal for cabinetry projects: 

• Oak: This lighter wood comes in two colors: red and white. White oak is commonly used in wet environments, in barrels, and as flooring for cargo trucks. Red oak is slightly softer but still durable and a popular choice for cabinets because of its staining potential.

• Cherry: This charming wood is one of the most used woods for cabinets. Cherry wood is a durable hardwood that is highly resistant to surface damage and tends to age nicely for a timeless look.

• Maple: One of the most commonly available and used woods in North America, Maple wood is versatile and can fit into traditional, modern, and contemporary kitchen designs. Maple features a fine but detailed, subtle grain and can withstand significant wear and tear.

• Alder: This wood is actually fairly soft despite its classification as a hardwood. Alder has excellent malleability properties, making it a popular choice for cabinetry projects, if not the best wood for cabinets. However, Alder must be properly sealed for a neat and finished look.

• Paint-Grade Wood: As we mentioned earlier, make sure to invest in paint-grade wood if you plan on giving your kitchen cabinets some color. A popular option is poplar wood, which is a medium-density and affordable option. This wood is perfect for other DIY wood projects as well. 

These are some of the best woods for cabinetry projects, but the right one for you depends on what you’re trying to achieve, as well as your skill level, as some are harder to work with than others. 

If you want to ensure your cabinets look as good as they possibly can, remember to invest in your equipment as well—a reliable wood CNC router is an invaluable tool when it comes to taking on a cabinetry project.

The Best Wood For Kitchen Cabinets Needs a Reliable Wood CNC Machine

To get the most from the best wood for cabinets, you need a quality wood CNC router and reliable CAD/CAM packages. 

ShopSabre’s collection of affordable, American-made CNC machines will take your production to the next level, allowing you to craft cabinetry worthy of a showroom. 

Get your ShopSabre wood CNC router today.