Wood Species
Cherry
Cherry
is an elegant, multi-colored hardwood, which may contain small knots and
pin holes. Natural or light stains accent these color variations making
a distinctive statement in a full kitchen. Cherry wood will darken or “mellow” with
age. This mellowing is a natural occurrence and the benefit of owning a
solid cherry kitchen. Cherry is a smooth, even-grained hardwood known for
its warm, rich look. Exposure to bright or direct sunlight will cause the
wood to darken and redden significantly. Cherry will have some sapwood,
mineral streaking, fine pin holes and pitch pockets.
Oak
Red oak is a strong, open grained wood that has a range
in color of white, yellow and pink. Red oak is sometimes streaked with
green, yellow and black mineral deposits and may contain some wide grain.
Northern red oak is known for its predominant grain patterns that run from
straight lines to arched and pointed. Lightness and darkness variations
are noticeable in lighter finishes. Oak is one of the stronger hardwoods.
Rustic Oak has the same characteristics as oak, but has intense,
predominant grain patterns and color variations along with knotholes and
more radical graining.
Maple
Hard maple is a strong, close-grained wood that is
predominantly off-white in color, although it also contains light hues
of yellow-brown and pink. Hard maple occasionally contains light tan or
small dark mineral streaks. Maple is characterized by its smooth, even
and fine-grain pattern. Natural maple has some color variation, but is
generally more uniform than most select hardwoods. Mineral streaks are
common in maple and appear darker when stained.
Hickory
Hickory is a strong, open-grained wood that is known
for its wide variation in color. It is not uncommon to see doors or parts
of doors that range in color from light to a deep brown when finished in
light or natural stains. Darker stains will mildly tone these color variations.
These characteristics are what make each hickory kitchen unique and the
preference of those who love wood.
Lyptus
Lyptus hardwood products are an excellent option
when selecting an exotic species grown to sustainable forest certification
standards. Offering all of the benefits expected of a tropical hardwood,
Lyptus hardwood is ideal for cabinetry, millwork, furniture and flooring
applications.
Alder
Alder is characterized by its straight grain and even
texture. Its appearance can range from pale red to reddish brown with an
indistinct boundary between heartwood and sapwood. Alder is a softer wood
than maple and cherry and can dent relatively easily, but offers a stable
surface for stain. Rustic Alder has the same characteristics as Alder,
but features more dramatic pin holes, knots, knot holes, and grain variation.
Bamboo
Bamboo has a tight grain appearance with narrow staves,
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.
