One of the first steps in selecting which kitchen door you want to use is to establish what type of wood and finish do you want. This all depends on what look you are going for in your kitchen. You may want an antique look, a contemporary look, or just a good ‘ole functional kitchen. We will cover the basics of wood types and finishes so that you may make an informed decision or at least have a better idea of what you are looking for.
Cherry – is a dark red tint and is good for more traditional kitchen styles.
Maple – comes in a range of tints from golden brown to dark brown and is good for traditional or ornamental styles.
Oak – typically will come in golden brown to dark brown tints and is known for its very descriptive grain patterns and can be used in formal kitchen designs.
Hickory – comes in variants from an almost white to a dark red tint. The grain pattern is visible such as oak but it is more streamlined and not as swirly as oak. This type is good for more elegant kitchen designs.
Thermofoil – is a plastic that has been combined with particleboard to create an economical and durable cabinet or drawer. This is great for contemporary or minimalist kitchens and it comes in a variety of colors.
Laminate – this type is actually particleboard that has laminate, several layers of paper that are compressed together to create a more durable sheet, glued to the front of it. This can come in many colors and designs, even that of wood grain. This type is inexpensive and very easy to clean great for minimalistic kitchen designs.
Cherry cabinets with a standard overlay
Finishes
Wood Tones – are more warm colors and come in a variety of tones from light to dark. The type of wood used on the cabinet will determine how much of the grain you will see. If you used Oak you will get the swirly look of the grain whereas if you used maple you wouldn’t see the grain that much.
Color Casts – allow you to add vibrant color to your kitchen design. Colors can come in reds, yellows, blues and greens. This finish tends to hide the grain of the wood underneath to give a more matted finish.
Glaze – is a finish that is great for accentuating the recesses, the depth and mold of the cabinet doors. Cabinets with this finish will appear warmer and have that antique look to it.
