I’m getting ready to start construction on a new house. I’m going to trim out the entire 1st floor with stain grade wood. I think the kitchen cabinets should match the trim around the windows and the solid wood doors. I like the look of white oak, but I don’t want to pay the extra for getting the trim and doors custom made. I haven’t found anyone in the Kansas City area that stocks white oak trim. Plenty of nice folks that will make it for me, but at a significant upcharge.
That being said, white oak is out. I’m fine with red oak. Readily available. Looks good. Durable. So why are all the cabinetmakers I’m meeting with trying to talk me into knotty alder or birch? I’ve had a couple of companies tell me that they haven’t done an oak kitchen in new construction for a couple of years.
I’m of the opinion you should get what you like (especially if you are paying for it!). Is red oak so out of style I should consider something else? I plan on staying in this house for years to come, so alder will probably be out of style in a few years anyways.
Any thoughts?
Replies
Wood for cabinets is very personal, so go with what you want, especially if you plan to stay there.
It seems that oak cabinets are not as favorable as they were. I personally don't care for it due to the color and coarse grain. But again, that is MY opinion, not that of the person that has to live there. It is your house, your money. Find someone that will do the work that you want.
kc
Knotty alder is the flavor of the day!
If you want oak then get oak, simple as that.
I build custom cabs and I'd build whatever someone wanted. If you cant get what you want go to the next guy.
I dont remember the last time I used red oak for cabs but thats not to say that you cant have red oak.
Doug
I too think that red oak is too coarse and pourus. It certiantly is not popular, But who cares. It is a great lumber and dosen't cost too much, if you like it .....do it. Oh yea, I also don't like it when the floors, trim and cabinetry are all the same. Consider some contrast. Are you married? Usually it is the wife who decides these things.
Mike
Is red oak so out of style I should consider something else?
you have answered your own question.....its the least expensive hardwood now too a factor determined by demand. Aloha, mike
kc ,
I think that when most people who say they don't like Oak think of it , they picture Oak with a Walnut or other darker stain that instantly says I'm Oak . I have and still do many Eastern Red Oak kitchens but for the most part I put a clear natural finish on it . The same self proclaimed haters of Oak generally ask ,,,, what kind of wood is that ? I use Rift and a or Quarter Sawn or at least Plain Sliced veneers to avoid the wide open grain of Rotary cut veneers and such . The Northern species of Oak is often a finer grained look in general and has more even colors and tones that lend themselves to a clear finish much more then Appalachian or Southern regions .
good luck dusty
Good point about the different species. My supplier has three varieties of "red oak" and the others look a lot nicer; tighter grain, smaller pores, lighter colours. But they apparently don't sell much of it.
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
Kcgolfer,
When we built our home twenty years ago in NW Indiana I believe my request to the cabinet maker for cherry cabinets inspired him...he certainly did a beautiful job. The one issue I really could not resolve adequately was blending the oak wood floors with the cherry cabinets..where the wood butts up against each other there is a visual conflict.
OK, so there aren't many red oak fans out there. I'm open to other options, but had planned on using oak since it was widely stocked. What I'm afraid of having a similar issue as BG, where the types of wood don't look good together where they meet.
What do you think about maple cabinets with oak floors and trim? Maybe stain them kind of a similar honey color?
Cherry cabinets could also be an option. What kind of floors would you go with there?
Thanks for the input.
In our neck of the woods they still build a lot of red oak cabs, the wood is pretty plentiful in this area. A trend that I have seen a lot of touring new homes in the area is to use painted trim and mouldings in a house and either a natural finish or honey maple on the wood cabinets. I haven't seen too many wood kitchen floors lately but in other rooms with built ins or other prominant wood work I have seen both uniform stain color and contrasting colors from floor to woodwork. Keep in mind that too much of a particular wood tone or type in some rooms can be overpowering.
"In our neck of the woods they still build a lot of red oak cabs, the wood is pretty plentiful in this area."
Chris,
Where are you located? Would you be willing to consider adding your location to your profile?
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
How about white oak or ash. Those will look good with Red oak. Not too sure about cherry. Maple can be finished to match anythig.
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
How about white oak or ash. Those will look good with Red oak. Not too sure about cherry. Maple can be finished to match anythig.IMHO, all woods look good together. Its your skill as the artist/builder/assembler that makes the difference. Aloha, mike
Kcgolfer,
Let me make a suggestion that may seem ridiculous until you think about it. Hire an interior decorator while the blueprints are still in your hands...it won't necessarily cost you more, they get a discount from the vendor...and provide a wealth of information and experieence on such hot topics like where to put the lights, switches, outlets, heat vents, cable connections, and, of course, how things will look when finished.
KCGolfer,
I try not to use any kind of oak on kitchens or bathroom vanities or any other place where the product will be exposed to water or steam. I find that if the pores are not filled that water gets under the finish though the large pores, and causes staining. Most folks I work with would rather choose a different wood (usually maple) than pay the extra cost of filling the pores.
My personal opinion is that oak looks best when the the boards are at least 5" wide. This way I can view a larger grain pattern. My folks red oak hardwood floors had boards that were about 2 1/4" wide and looked like boards with streaks in it. The face of kitchen cabinets are in large part narrow strips of wood. (rails/styles/faceframes) And I have a hard time seeing atractive grain patterns in these narrow pieces. Though I do like the look of oak in larger widths such as in the panel portion of a panel door, or cabinet end panels.
Just my opinion.
red oak............so 70's looking. make sure you get shag carpets too and avacado colored sinks
Wicked Decent Woodworks
(oldest woodworking shop in NH)
Rochester NH
" If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"
hey kc
i recently built some cabinetdoors for a client with red oak stiles and rails and a maple raised panel . the oak was stained golden and the maple was natural.. it was different to look at but they said that they have had a lot of good comments on them.
just another idea
busyman
Thanks for all the opinions. We're thinking of going with the maple cabinets, oak floors.
I'm still looking for that avacado green pedestal sink though.
Hey KC
We moved in to our new house less than a year ago. We used maple cabinets with a honey finish, and the floor was natural maple. Both maple, just different colors. The trim was natural maple, and the doors were solid maple also. Using natural maple really lightens up the room.
One of the wonderful things about wood is the variations in color, grain, figure, etc. Enjoy it no matter what you choose.
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