As a natural product, wood is influenced by varying soil and weather conditions, which impacts the lumber grain patterns and colors. These differences contribute to the unique beauty of real wood, showcasing an endless array of grain, texture, and hue.
Thus, color and grain variations should be expected in cabinetry parts; from toe kick to fillers, end gables to cabinet doors.
This is particularely the case for Oak. In this document, we will provide ample information and help answer questions such as :
“Why are there redish parts in my white oak kitchen ?”
“Why are there white spots (flecks) on some components?”
“Why are there color differences between end panels, cabinet door frames and their center panels?”
“Why are there redish parts in my white oak kitchen ?”
When selecting wood for kitchen cabinets, the differences between Red Oak and White Oak significantly influence the cabinets' style. Red Oak, with its striking grain and reddish tint, adds warmth and a traditional or rustic feel to kitchens. In contrast, White Oak features a tighter grain and a neutral hue, making it highly adaptable for both contemporary and classic kitchen designs.
While Red Oak typically has a pinkish tone, White Oak in cabinet components can also exhibit similar hues.
Within the same log, and therefore same piece of lumber, there are often unusually light or dark pieces, as well as some with ambiguous colors. Distinguishing oak solely by its color is futile, particularly when the wood has been finished or stained.
Below are small thumbnails of various oak species in their raw, unfinished form, organized into either the Red or White Oak category.
As evidenced with these pictures, white oak can often be more “pinkish” than red oak. Always keep in mind that staining the wood will accentuate these variations.
When examining the board's surface, particularly in the flat-sawn sections, you might observe small dark brown streaks that run along the grain, often known as rays.
White oak on left side, red oak on right side. Notice how red oak is “ white-er” in this picture
Red oak will almost always have very short rays, usually between 1/8″ to 1/2″ long, rarely ever more than 3/4″ to 1″ in length.
White oak, on the other hand, will have much longer rays, frequently exceeding 3/4″ on most boards.
“Why are there white spots (flecks) on some of the components?”
Hardwood oak can be cut in various methods, including plain-sawn, quarter-sawn, or rift-sawn, each affecting the grain pattern and how light interacts with the stained surface. Due to lumber availability, solid wood “rift cut” only cabinet parts (which lacks fleck) are not available. A blend of quarter-sawn and rift-cut methods is therefore used. As a result, you may notice flecks in some areas while other sections remain fleck-free, creating a mix of both characteristics across the surface.
As shown above, the only way to get the “straight grain” look is by using quarter sawn and rift cut. It is crucial to understand that flecks are not defects, they are an inherent part of quarter sawn oak. More-over, the wood grain truly stands out only after stain is applied . The flecks will absorb the stain differently, creating a stunning contrast.
“Why are there differences between end panels and cabinet doors ?”
The color differences between hardwood and plywood stem from their structural make-up, variations in grain and production methods. Note: This applies to almost every other wood species, such as walnut and maple.
Cabinet doors can be made with solid wood frame and plywood center, resulting in color varations within the component.
Solid oak, thanks to it’s more open grain pattern, tends to absorb stain uniformly, creating a richer and more intense color. It is essential to remember that, just as no trees are identical, the color of solid wood can differ from one part to another, as seen on the frame of the cabinet doors in this close-up picture.
These variations are typically noticeable only after the application of stain and can be enhanced by different lighting conditions. More-over, as we shall see in the next section, the center panel of the doors may be made of plywood, which also takes the stain differently and add to the visual effect.It is, therefore, unrealistic to anticipate a perfect color match among cabinet parts after installation.
Plywood is a manufactured product made by applying a thin layer (0.6mm) of sliced oak on top of particle or mdf substrate. The veneer may be manufactured thinner to cut costs, which affects its stain absorption capabilities. Additionally, the adhesives used in plywood can sometimes inhibit the stain from penetrating as effectively as it would in solid oak.
The veneers typically used in cabinetry are usually rift cut and plain sliced.
Faut Quartier (rift cut) Sciage à plat (plain slice)
In sum, the thinness of the plywood may limit its ability to absorb stain compared to solid wood, leading to a lighter or less vibrant finish.
To minimize color variations, thorough sanding preparation on all components should be carried out.
But , it is important to consider that solid oak can withstand aggressive sanding, while plywood veneers nessecitate careful sanding to avoid damaging the veneer and exposing the substrate. This limitation can hinder optimal surface preparation, thus affecting how the uniformity of the colors across components.
It is important to recognize that at every stage of the manufacturing process—from the sawmill to the plywood manufacturer, followed by the cabinet door manufacturer, and finally the cabinet maker—a careful selection of the finest oak pieces was undertaken. Despite all efforts, color and grain variations will be present in the final result.
It is imperative to be aware of the different characteristics of white and red oak, as well as the possible color variations between parts of the kitchen and within the same components.
To that effect, we strongly recommend to have on hand several oak sample doors, in different cuts and finishes. All the while, it is important to remember that samples cannot show every possible color and grain variations that may come with a full set of kitchen components.
Color variations should be embraced as a inherent feature of high quality cabinetry, as well as a testament to a kitchen’s uniqueness.
Source: https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/distinguishing-red-oak-from-white-oak/
