Natural Characteristics of Wood in cabinetry

The Warmth and Beauty of Wood

Is it any wonder people are drawn to the natural beauty of wood? It's enduring warmth and vibrancy makes wood-especially hardwoods- the ideal material for fine cabinetry. Understanding the characteristic of hardwoods used to create the cabinetry for your home or office will help you make informed choices as you work with your designer.

The Natural Characteristics of Wood

Unlike man-made materials that can be manufactured to consistent specifications, wood is a product of nature. Its natural imperfections are part of its appeal and character. Every piece of wood, even within the same tree, is slightly different in color, texture and grain from every other piece. How wood looks and feels is dictated by a number of factors, including climate, soil nutrients, growing season, season of harvest and age of harvest. Nature appeals to us because of its infinite, imperfect variety. When we look at wood, we want to see the randomness that gives character.

Let's look at some natural characteristic of hardwoods that can affect it s appearance and ultimately your cabinets.

GRAIN
 Grain is the general direction of the fibers that gives wood a unique pattern and defines its character. Varieties include straight, spiral, interlocking, wavy, or curly. Grain plays with light in different ways, affecting the perception of color. It should be used to determine the cabinetry finish, a rich grain should not be obscured by an opaque finish. This term is also used to describe how the wood is cut or worked: "against the grain", "with the grain", or "across the grain" will determine how the wood accepts the stain.

MINERAL STREAKS
 These are dark brown to black areas where the tree absorbed nutrients. Quantity varies from board to board, giving depth to custom kitchen cabinet, doors, drawers and panels; especially evident in lighter woods and with lighter stains or natural finishes.

MOVEMENT
 Movement refers to the expansion and contraction of wood as it absorbs and gives off moisture. Some hardwoods, such as cherry and maple are more sensitive to changes in temperate and humidity. Because of it natural movement, painted finishes may show hairline cracks at joints in cabinets or doors.

NATURAL COLOR
 The natural color varies depending upon species from shades of white, green, red and black. It is an important factor in determining custom cabinetry's finished color. A light base and transparent stain allow color variations to show. Darker stains will be affected by the natural color of the wood. Variations in grain, texture and color will affect how a stain/finish appears. Even kitchen lighting and the angle at which it hits the wood will affect the appearance of cabinetry wood color. Depending on the species, cut, and finish, most wood darkens as it ages. Environmental conditions like ultraviolet light, cleaning chemicals and smoke, also affect color, making it difficult to exactly duplicate an existing finish when adding or replacing cabinets.

When you consider all the possible materials you could use in your home, wood is a natural choice for richness and warmth. Now that you know more about the natural variations and unique characteristics of wood, you can better appreciate your purchase of cabinets in your home!