When you’re looking to do a kitchen upgrade or redesign, there’s one very important question to ask yourself, “What kind of wood is best?”
At Johnson Lumber, we’ve got you covered with plenty of options, including pine, cedar, oak, poplar, and fir.
But we know as well as anyone that just having more choices doesn’t always make things easier. Today, we’d like to share a few details about these popular wood types.
With this info, you’ll see how you might use them to upgrade your cabinets or remodel your kitchen.
When To Use Pine In Your Kitchen
Pine trees aren’t just for Christmas! Homeowners around Anne Arundel County enjoy using pine wood in their kitchen for a number of reasons:
- Standout style – When you’re aiming for a country kitchen or rustic design, pine can help you achieve that look. With its knots and natural markings, it has its own distinctive appearance. Plus, it’s easily stained so you can get the just-right tone for your space.
- Cost-effective wood – In comparison with woods like bamboo, mahogany, cherry, and oak, pine is a more straightforward, budget-friendly option. This makes it ideal for first-time home buyers, or for doing a remodel on a budget.
It is worth noting that pine can be considered less durable than some of the harder woods. That can be seen in dings, dents, and scratches.
Those blemishes could be more noticeable in high-traffic areas, and it’s something to consider when choosing your wood type.
When To Use Cedar In Your Kitchen
Besides that iconic cedar aroma, there is a lot to love about upgrading kitchen cabinets with cedar wood. There are several reasons to consider using cedar for your next kitchen project:
- Durability – The kitchen is the heart of the home. That means lots of activity, and lots of potential for little accidents. You’ll rest easier knowing you’ve worked with cedar, which resists damage and will last for years.
- Dynamic appearance – For a varied natural look, cedar can be available in red, white, or yellow. It also accepts stains easily, so you’ll have plenty of flexibility.
Most homeowners consider cedar for their bigger projects like decks and siding, too.
When To Use Oak In Your Kitchen
One of our most popular woods, oak is a classic choice for your kitchen projects. These are a few of its many redeeming qualities for kitchen remodeling:
- Strong and sturdy – Ever wonder why many original oak cabinets are still around? Because they are built to last. This is one wood option that’s sure to stand up to some wear and tear.
- Flexible style – Aristinal and rustic on its own, oak is also adaptable by working well with paints, glazes, and stains. Some darker stains still allow the original grain to show through for an even more unique look.
Our clients and homeowners often remark that there is a real warmth to oak. It’s an option that will help make your kitchen feel even cozier.
When To Use Poplar In Your Kitchen
Another popular option for cabinet upgrades, poplar offers a lot of opportunity for design choices. Here are a few qualities about poplar you’ll want to consider:
- Easy to paint – Thanks to its tight grains and how smooth it sands, poplar wood takes paint well. If you’ll be adding accents or pops of color with your cabinets, this could be the choice for you.
- A softer wood – In comparison with other woods, it can be a bit soft. So for families with rambunctious young ones around, poplar wood might show dents more easily than some other options.
Still, you can consider mixing and matching woods if you’d like a brighter option for your upper cabinets.
When To Use Fir In Your Kitchen
Though not as popular as some of the other wood options, there is a growing demand for certain types of fir. Read on for a few reasons you might consider opting for fir in your kitchen remodel:
- Warm appearance – Its darker wood can come in varieties of pink, red, and yellow tones. Given that fir can be obtained in the same coloring, it can be suitable for bigger projects without much color variation.
- Soft and sturdy – Fir is more durable than pine, yet still considered a softwood in the class of cedars and pines. This gives a bit more toughness to the bumps and bruises kitchens can take.
Getting Ready To Start Your New Kitchen
At Johnson Lumber, we can help you craft the kitchen of your dreams. We hope this short list helps clarify some of your ideas and gives you some pointers.
When you’re ready to talk about your project, we have the expertise and inventory to make it happen.
