materials
Cabinet Materials
Compare Materials
We offer a variety of cabinet materials, wood species, grain patterns, and finishes to create cabinetry that fits your home and style. From natural white oak and walnut to painted maple, each material is selected specifically for your project and finished in our Salinas shop. Filter the list, then open a row for the cuts and finishing notes.
| Material | Look | Hardness | Finishes | Best for | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White OakThree cuts, see details | Light to medium brown, neutral to warmStraight, coarse texture; ray fleck when quarter sawn | 1,350 lbfHard | Natural: YesStain: YesPaint: Not usually | Modern and traditional kitchens, vanities, closets | Mid to higherRift and quarter sawn cost more |
Three cuts of White Oak. The cut is the angle the board is sawn from the log, and it changes the grain more than any finish will. Plain sliced
Rift cut
Quarter sawn
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| Walnut | Pale brown to dark chocolate with darker streaksMostly straight, medium texture, natural luster | 1,010 lbfMedium | Natural: YesStain: With carePaint: Not usually | Islands, bars, entertainment centers, statement pieces | HighestPremium domestic hardwood |
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| Maple | Nearly white to cream, sometimes with a reddish or golden hueStraight, fine and even; the most subtle grain here | 1,450 lbfHardest on this list | Natural: YesStain: With carePaint: With care | Light, clean kitchens and high-wear areas | MidWidely available |
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| Cherry | Pinkish brown when new, deepening to reddish brown with light and ageStraight, fine and even, with a natural luster | 950 lbfSofter | Natural: YesStain: With carePaint: Not usually | Traditional kitchens, offices and built-ins | HigherJust under walnut |
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| AlderClear grade | Light tan to reddish brown; darkens with ageStraight, fine and uniform | 590 lbfSoft; dents more easily | Natural: YesStain: YesPaint: Not usually | Warm, relaxed kitchens; a budget-friendly stand-in for cherry | MidLess than cherry or maple |
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| Knotty AlderRustic grade | The same warm tones with open and closed knotsStraight grain with knots, bark patches and streaks | 590 lbfSoft | Natural: YesStain: YesPaint: Not usually | Rustic, cottage and ranch style kitchens | LowestMost affordable stain grade |
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| Paint-Grade MapleAny color | Hidden under paint; any color you chooseSmooth and tight, so nothing shows through the paint | n/aSelected for a smooth, stable surface | Natural: Not usuallyStain: Not usuallyPaint: Yes | Painted kitchens and two-tone perimeters | LowerPainted costs less than stained |
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| Premium PlywoodInside the cabinet | Layered hardwood veneer, seen only when a drawer is openFine, even face veneer | n/aStrength comes from the layers | Inside the cabinet | Strength and stability in every drawer | IncludedStandard on every cabinet |
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Hardness is the Janka rating from the Wood Database, in pounds-force; the bar is scaled to the hardest wood here. Swatch tones are approximate. Relative cost ranks the materials against each other; ask us for a quote on your project.
Every finish is applied in our Salinas shop in several steps, so the surface cures evenly and your kitchen stays usable while it does.
- Natural or clear
- The wood's own color and grain. Cherry and alder darken with age, and a clear finish shows it most.
- Stain
- The grain stays visible while the tone goes lighter, warmer or deeper. White oak and alder take it most evenly.
- Paint
- A solid color with the grain hidden, on paint-grade maple for a smooth, stable surface.
- Two-tone
- A painted perimeter with a stained or natural island. Common in our recent work.
How Our Cabinets Are Constructed
Different parts of a cabinet require different materials. We use premium plywood for our dovetail drawer boxes for strength and stability, while solid hardwood is used for components such as face frames and door frames. Each material is selected based on where it performs best in the finished cabinet.
Hinges and drawer slides are soft-close throughout, from trusted brands chosen for durability and quiet operation.
Natural Wood Variation
No two pieces of natural wood are exactly alike. Grain pattern, color and tone will naturally vary from board to board, which is part of what gives real wood cabinetry its character. These variations are expected and make every project unique.
Choosing a Species
The right material depends largely on the look and finish you want for your cabinetry. If you're choosing painted cabinets, paint-grade maple provides a smooth, durable surface for a painted finish.
For natural or stained cabinetry, the wood species becomes an important part of the design. White oak offers noticeable grain and warm, neutral tones, walnut provides a richer and darker appearance, maple has a lighter and more subtle grain, and cherry develops deeper color as it ages.
Not sure which one is right for your project? We'll help you compare materials and finishes during the design process.
Seeing Samples
Wood species and finishes can look very different depending on lighting, flooring, countertops and surrounding colors. That's why we bring material and finish samples to your in-home measurement, allowing you to compare options directly in your space before making a final selection.
Prefer to talk it through?
(831) 837-8510