Our Guide: The Best Timber For Kitchen Cabinets
Choosing the best wood for kitchen cabinets is essential if you want a kitchen that looks good and lasts for years. The right timber will balance performance, aesthetics, sustainability, and workability.
Whether you’re a cabinetmaker or a homeowner, this guide will help you select the best timber for your kitchen cabinets.
How To Select The Best Timber For Kitchen Cabinets
When selecting the best timber for kitchen cabinetry, consider these key factors:
• Durability
In a high-traffic space like the kitchen, your cabinets need to endure everyday wear.
The Janka Wood Hardness Scale helps assess the hardness and durability of different wood species, e.g. how resistant to dents and wear that type of wood will be once installed. This can be useful when selecting materials for various applications, including flooring and kitchen cabinet making. The timber’s resistance to decay is also taken into consideration here.
Our experienced team will be able to advise you on whether a particular piece of timber will be suitable for your requirements, as there can be variation within species.
• Workability
If you’re a woodworker, you already know that each species handles differently when cut or finished. Instead of choosing any wood, consider how well it responds to your tools and techniques.
If you’re someone who is looking for a bespoke timber kitchen, a skilled artisan can advise you on the best wood for your specific needs and design aspirations. A kitchen built with skill and craftsmanship enhances the longevity and beauty of cabinets, justifying the cost and making it a more sustainable choice.
• Sustainability
Using responsibly sourced timber helps protect forests and reduces your environmental footprint. Locally sourced wood is even better, as it reduces transport emissions.
For us, it’s an absolute MUST to use timber that originates from forests that have been verified for responsible practices! Even better, if it’s also locally sourced timber.
• Aesthetics
The colour and grain of timber make a big impact in kitchen design. Light woods like Ash suit modern kitchens, while Oak adds character to rustic or farmhouse styles.
Ultimately, choose what feels right for your space.
Different wood types complement different kitchen cabinet designs and styles. While Ash may seem to be suited to modern designs – and a more rustic finish can be achieved with, say, a pippy Oak or a character grade – this is truly a personal preference. Anything can be possible.
So What Is The Best Wood For Kitchen Cabinets?
Ash
Ash is light in colour and has a distinct, straight grain. This gives a modern and clean appearance which is a good option for kitchen cabinets in light, airy spaces.
Technical considerations
Durability: Comparable to Oak; strong and long-lasting.
Sustainability: Readily available from FSC or PEFC-certified UK sources.
Oak
Oak is a timeless favourite. Its broad grain and natural warmth work across design styles.
Technical considerations
Durability: Oak offers hardness, strength and longevity. Oak is extremely durable and resistant to wear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas like kitchens
Sustainability: Oak is widely available in the UK from forests with sustainable harvesting practices
Walnut
Walnut is ideal for premium cabinets. It has a rich tone and refined grain.
Technical considerations
Durability: Walnut offers a balance of strength, moderate hardness and workability.
Sustainability: Responsibly sourced European Walnut is readily available in the UK
Sycamore
Sycamore may be less common, but its creamy tone suits minimal, modern designs.
Technical considerations
Durability: Sycamore is moderately hard and can withstand general kitchen use.
Sustainability: Sustainably sourced Sycamore wood is available in the UK
As you might have suspected, there is no definitive answer to the timber conundrum: what wood is best for kitchen cabinets?
Looking For The Best Timber For Kitchen Cabinets?
In summary, when it comes to selecting timber to craft high-quality kitchen cabinetry, these key factors should be taken into consideration:
• Aesthetics
• Durability
• Workability
• Sustainability
Developers and homeowners who are investing in artisan-crafted cabinets are looking for a solution that is environmentally conscious and adds long-term value to a property.
MORE
Check out our directory of inspiring artisan woodworkers
Our timber services
More about our wood sourcing and certification
See some inspiring handmade kitchens in our Woodworkers directory
Take a look at our boards stock
Our kiln dried stocklist
