What is Hardwood?

Hardwood is a descriptive term applied to woods that are the most dense and rigid when compared with the vast collection of wood options. The primary advantage of hardwoods is that they tend to be more durable than other softwoods. The hardwoods most commonly used in the construction of kitchen cabinetry are Cherry, Oak, Hickory and Maple. There are other hardwoods, but they are rarely used for cabinetry construction.

It may seem ideal to build cabinetry with hardwood, but there are drawbacks to making this choice. Hardwood will typically be more expensive. Most customers that choose to install hardwood cabinetry will do so because of the interesting grain pattern and color quality associated with them. Hardwood cabinets are not usually painted, but are stained and sealed to accentuate their presence in the space. Some hardwood cabinetry is built by using the hardwood for the cabinetry face and pairing it with a cheaper wood for the substrate areas that are hidden from view. This is an effective way to reduce the costs associated with hardwood projects.