Wood Characteristics
Types of Wood
OAK (RED OAK)
Oak is a lightly-coloured, strong, coarse-grain hardwood that has a truly unique character. Pieces may contain variations in colour and grain pattern, and can also have features such as pin knots, flecks, and streaks caused by mineral deposits. Finish will beautifully enhance the flame-shaped grain that gives this wood such prominence.
MAPLE (HARD MAPLE)
Maple is a dense, strong, smooth wood that remains hardy throughout use. It has a fine, generally straight-grained texture which may be spotted with whorls. The colour can range from white to a dark brown. We recommend maple for any room where the furniture will receive a lot of wear, as it resists abrasion well.
CHERRY
One of the most beautiful woods available on the market, Cherry has a smooth, satiny texture and rich colour. Wood may vary from a deep red to a reddish-brown, and will darken with age. It has a very fine grain which may be streaked with green, pink or yellow. A natural stain finish will beautifully enhance the wood's own character.
HICKORY
Hickory is hard and heavy, and quite dense. It does not offer a lot of flexibility. Each piece can exhibit different, bold variations in colour, pattern, and special characteristics.
PECAN
Pecan, like hickory, is a strong hardwood. It displays bold variations in colour throughout a single piece of wood. It tends to fade over time.
WALNUT
A much-sought-after hardwood, Walnut has smooth grain and a rich appeal. It may be a deep reddish-brown in colour, or a lighter reddish-grey. It lightens in colour as it ages.
ALDER
One of the softer hardwoods, Alder provides a bit more flexibility and a lighter density. It may be amber in colour, or reddish. It has uniform texture and a fairly straight grain. It can have knots that vary in character. Similar to maple and cherry woods, Alder has a uniform texture and straight grain. It is rather soft and can show dents more readily than some other woods.
WOOD VENEER
Veneer is a popular alternative to traditional wood cabinetry. It can be more stable than wood in humid settings, as it does not expand or contract as much. The veneer is placed on medium-density fiberboard, creating a consistent, uniform look with each piece.
MELAMINE
Melamine is a popular alternative to wood veneer. It consists of poly-vinyl compound paper pressed into particleboard form. It provides stability and resistance, and will not deteriorate over time and use. Melamine is smooth, scratch-, chemical- and mildew-resistant, making it an ideal solution for busy kitchens.
Every project we design has a layout best-suited to its need. Our architects will help you select the layout, materials and storage solutions that are right for you. We are ready to help, every step of the way.