Wood Species with Paints & Stains

White Oak

Good for Stains: White oak has a prominent grain that absorbs stain well, enhancing its natural beauty.

Not Ideal for Paint: The grain can show through paint, making it less ideal for a smooth, painted finish.

Hickory

Good for Stains: Hickory’s varied grain patterns and color variations make it an excellent candidate for staining.

Not Ideal for Paint: The strong grain can be difficult to cover completely with paint.

Quarter Sawn White Oak

Excellent for Stains: This cut of white oak shows off a unique, ray-fleck pattern that looks stunning when stained.

Not Ideal for Paint: Similar to regular white oak, the grain can be challenging to hide with paint.

Red Oak

Good for Stains: Red oak’s open grain structure takes stain well, highlighting its natural patterns.

Not Ideal for Paint: The grain can be quite visible under paint, requiring more preparation for a smooth finish.

Red Birch

Good for Stains: Red birch has a fine, even grain that absorbs stain uniformly, resulting in a rich, warm finish.

Good for Paint: Its smooth texture also makes it a good candidate for painting.

Cherry

Excellent for Stains: Cherry wood darkens with age and exposure to light, and staining can enhance its rich, reddish-brown color.

Not Ideal for Paint: Given its natural beauty, cherry is rarely painted.

Knotty Alder

Good for Stains: Knotty alder has a rustic appearance with knots and imperfections that stain well, adding character.

Not Ideal for Paint: The knots can bleed through paint, requiring extra preparation.

Poplar

Not Ideal for Stains: Poplar has a greenish hue and uneven grain that doesn’t take stain well.

Excellent for Paint: Its smooth, even texture makes it one of the best woods for painting.

Walnut

Excellent for Stains: Walnut’s rich, dark color and fine grain make it ideal for staining, enhancing its natural beauty.

Not Ideal for Paint: Painting walnut can cover up its beautiful grain, which is often considered a waste of its natural aesthetics.

Maple

Not Ideal for Stains: Maple has a tight, even grain that can be blotchy when stained.

Excellent for Paint: Its smooth surface is perfect for a clean, painted finish.

Conclusion

When choosing wood for your cabinets, consider the final look you want to achieve. For a natural, stained finish, woods like cherry, walnut, and quarter sawn white oak are excellent choices. If you prefer a painted look, opt for red birch, poplar, or maple.

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