If you’ve decided to upgrade your home with custom cabinetry, we at Briteway Custom Cabinetry and Woodworking would like to offer you heartfelt congratulations! Custom cabinetry brings many benefits to your home, both when you’re in it and if you ever decide to sell. One of the most important decisions you’ll make when designing your custom cabinetry is what type of wood to have it constructed with. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a few popular favorites and provide some general information to help you narrow down your options.
The Three Wood Types
Wood is often divided into three categories: hardwood, softwood, and exotic wood. Let’s take a closer look at each, along with some of the most sought-after options within the specific category.
- Hearty Hardwoods – Hardwood comes from deciduous trees, which drop their leaves every autumn. They are generally denser and heavier than other wood types, and they are prized for their exceptional durability and resistance to wear and tear. Because of this, they are a great choice for custom cabinetry. Popular choices include oak, maple, and walnut, as well as one of our personal favorites, birch.
- Sleek Softwoods – Softwoods are generally lighter and, as the name implies, softer than hardwoods. They come from coniferous trees that bear needles and cones, such as pine, cedar, and spruce. They commonly have a simpler, straighter grain pattern than hardwoods and tend to be a more cost-effective option, although their softer nature means you’ll need to take greater care not to scratch or dent custom cabinetry made from softwood.
- Exciting Exotics – Exotic wood is a catch-all term for wood that comes from trees not native to the area where it is being used. Because of this, exotic wood can vary dramatically in terms of hardness, grain, and color, so it’s important to thoroughly research any exotic wood you are considering for custom cabinetry. Mahogany, teak, and Ipe (Brazilian Walnut) are popular exotic wood choices here in the United States.
If you have questions about the types of wood available for custom cabinetry, our team would be glad to discuss the options with you. Reach out today to get started.