Home Outlet Cabinet Program Associate Resource Guide

UNDERSTANDING WOOD CHARACTERISTICS

Maple Maple is a medium to hard wood with straight, wavy, or curly grain patterns. Known for its durability and shock resistance, it has a light, uniform appearance that creates a smooth, clean look when stained. Maple can also be finished to mimic other high-end hardwoods and softwoods, such as cherry and cedar. Oak Oak is a dense, hard wood with a coarse grain that ranges from straight to sweeping arch patterns. Available in both red and white varieties, oak is a classic choice for cabinetry due to its timeless look, which complements a wide range of design styles. It accepts standard stains well, enhancing its natural beauty. Cherry Cherry wood is prized for its smooth grain and unique color, which deepens and mellows with age, especially when exposed to bright light. Over time, cherry wood may darken by several shades, adding depth and warmth to its pinkish brown hues, sometimes accented by subtle tones of white, green, or gray. Painted Wood naturally expands and contracts with environmental changes, and painted finishes will highight this movement in cabinets. Unlike stained finishes, painted finishes can make the opening of joints and panel shifts more visible. Hairline openings at joints are typical and should not be viewed as defects. Enhanced Finishes (glaze, brushing, rub-through, vintage, or heirloom) Hand-applied finishes like glazing, brushing, rub-through, vintage, or heirloom treatments create an antiqued or weathered look. These techniques add unique character, with slight variations being normal and adding to the handcrafted appeal. The overall effect should be assessed on the complete finished product rather than individual doors or drawer fronts. Painted Cabinetry Painted finishes combine hardwoods and engineered materials to deliver a product with exceptional stability, consistency, coverage and durability. These finishes create beautifully painted cabinetry where natural wood grains less noticeable. However, visible joint lines may appear over time due to the natural expansion and contraction of wood. Natural Factors: The following are natural characteristics and are not considered defects: • Variation in color, grain, and texture • Color differences within the same piece of wood • Differences between open-and-closed grain areas • Visible mineral streaks and worm tracking As wood expands and contracts naturally, door joints may occasionally develop hairline cracks in the painted finish. These cracks are normal and do not compromise the structural integrity of the door. Environmental Factors Cabinetry added later may differ on color from previously installed cabinets due to: • Exposure to sunlight, smoke and household chemicals • Aging of door samples or displays, which may no longer represent the true color By understanding these natural and environmental factors, you can ensure tour cabinetry remains a beautiful and functional part of your space.

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