Wood Characteristics
Expect variations in wood grain patterns and density. These variations are a vital part of the beauty of natural wood. The same stain applied to two pieces of the same wood species may result in somewhat different appearances (especially when comparing solid wood to veneers).
Color variations are caused by the assortment of minerals in the soil in which the tree was grown, rainfall, growing temperature, etc. All wood species can also exhibit sap runs, knots and pinholes in varying degrees.
Color changes through time will occur when wood is exposed to all types of light (normal and man-made). It is the general nature of wood to darken over time, some species more than others. The finishing process does not hinder this aging process.
Changes in heat and humidity: Wood is an organic material and will react to large and or rapid variations in these conditions, resulting in material reactions than can consist of, but are not limited to: warping, growth, shrinkage, splitting, checking, discoloration, separation at the joints and decomposition of the adhesives and finish materials.
Because no two trees are exactly alike, the cabinets made for your kitchen or bath will have subtle variations from the showroom displays or samples on which you based your selections.
Wood Species
Please take a moment to educate yourself on the different species of wood we have available at M.G. Cabinets:
Knotty Alder is a medium density hardwood that features a color range of light brown with reddish or peach hues. Small and large split knots and open knots that vary in size, shape, and color, that may be completely through the wood, are acceptable characteristics of Knotty Alder. Noticeable stain patina characteristics ranging in visibility from dark spots absorbing excessive stain to very light spots absorbing minimal stain may exist due to the Alder wood having soft and hard wood characteristics.
Select Alder is a medium density hardwood that features a color range of light brown with reddish or peach hues. Natural characteristics of Select Alder include small sound knots, modular rays, curly grain, pin holes, and mineral streaks. This fairly straight-grained hardwood has a uniform texture and is often chosen for its color stability.
Bamboo has a tight grain appearance with narrow staves with naturally occurring specks and nodes that look like burls. The dense cellular structure of Bamboo results in an even consistent finish with a more uniform end grain. Although many characteristics of bamboo are similar to those of hardwoods, bamboo is not a wood, but a cane, and is 15% to 25% harder than some traditional hardwoods. Our Bamboo is caramelized and has a deep amber color. This rich color is created by the pressure heating process, which darkens the sugar compounds in the fiber and gives the bamboo its unique richness. Bamboo is a clean and sophisticated look that is used in contemporary kitchen designs.
Beech is usually a pale cream color with hues ranging from slightly pink to brown. It has fairly straight grain with visible medullary rays. This wood is similar to maple yet much less common.
Knotty Cherry is a hardwood that varies in color from white to red and on to a deep, rich brown with gum and pitch pockets, mineral streaks and knots. Both sapwood and heartwood will be present in varying amounts. In addition, Knotty Cherry may have knots, split knots, ingrown bark and other natural character marks and defects. Small and large knots, both sound and unsound, and open knots that vary in size, shape and color that may be completely through the wood are typical characteristics of Knotty Cherry and gives this traditional wood specie a rustic appearance. With time, cherry ages and reacts to sunlight and begins to darken. A cherry kitchen will turn a dark reddish brown on the dark streaks, and the white spots will turn a color that will range from yellow to brown. These changes in the wood color are natural and should be expected in any Knotty Cherry cabinetry.
Select Cherry ranges in color from white to red and on to a deep, rich brown. Exposure to natural light in the home will cause the color of the wood to darken over time. The natural wood colors will deepen, turning the darker areas of the wood a dark, reddish brown while the lighter areas darken to shades of yellow and brown. These changes in the wood color are natural and should be expected in any cherry cabinetry.
Hickory is a dense, heavy wood with both closed and open wood grain. The natural color of this wood has a wide spectrum, ranging from hues of white to chocolate brown. This wood has characteristic depressions, mineral streaks and random knots that are naturally occurring and add to the wood’s appeal.
Rustic Hickory is a dense, heavy wood with both closed and open wood grain. The natural color of this wood has a wide spectrum, ranging from hues of white to chocolate brown. Rustic Hickory has more characteristic depressions, more mineral streaking and more knots compared to a calico hickory.These characteristics are naturally occurring and add to the wood’s appeal.
Maple is a close, uniform-grained hardwood that varies in color from white to cream into light brown. Maple may exhibit small areas that are reminiscent of bird’s eyes, curly grain, and may contain random small black mineral streaks.
Red Oak is an open grain hardwood that varies in color from a light to medium brown and can sometimes have a reddish hue. Red oak is a very recognizable hardwood which is characterized by straight grain intermixed with cathedrals.
Rift Cut Red Oak is an open grain hardwood that varies in color from a light to medium brown and can sometimes have a reddish hue. Rift cut red oak has a very straight grain pattern so it is ideal for someone who doesn’t like the look of the cathedral pattern of flat sliced red oak.
Quarter Sawn White Oak is an open grain hardwood that varies in color from a light to medium brown with sapwood ranging from nearly white to light brown. Quarter sawn white oak is recognizable by the clearly visible medullary rays or ray flecks. This is a desirable trait in quarter sawn white oak because the flecks give off an almost shiny look when properly finished.
Knotty Pine is a soft wood that ranges in color from vanilla to brown with a reddish hue, is light in weight, and contains sound ornamental knots that vary in size, shape and color. Pine will exhibit mineral streaks, curly grain and worm tracking. Pine may also darken with age or take on a yellowish/orange cast as it mellows with age.
Walnut is a hard wood that ranges in color from light brown to dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. The color can sometimes have a grey, purple or reddish hue. Walnut’s sapwood color can range from nearly white to a yellowish grey but these parts are not desirable. The grain is usually relatively straight but can be irregular. This wood usually develops a patina that grows more lustrous with age. Walnut is among the more expensive woods to work with.