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We are Craftsmen Hardwood, a wood products and services provider based in Drayton, Ontario. Since its inception in 1996, our business has grown significantly, now operating from a 35,000 sq. ft. warehouse in Drayton's Industrial Park. We are known for our dependable service and quality products. Whether you’re interested in learning more about woodworking or have a custom cabinetry project in mind, please call us or send us an email and let’s connect. We are happy to help! 

Building with Wood 

Wood is popular because it’s sturdy, durable, beautiful, comes in many varieties and colours, and is easy to process.  

Wood is also versatile and can be used alone or with other materials.  

Moreover, it’s easy to maintain and repair compared to other building sources. 

Types of Wood  

We want to give a nod to woods that are also used in furniture and cabinet making. 

Each of the woods described below has its own unique characteristics.  

Cherry 

Cherry is a hardwood with subtle grain and colours that range from reddish-brown to blond. It’s mostly used for furniture. 

• Pros: Easy to mill and polish. It is a rich and deep colour even if unstained. 
• Cons: The wood can darken over time (which could be a pro for you).  

Pine 

Pine is a lightweight wood, mostly seen in a yellowish or whitish colour, with brown knots. Crafters often use it for rustic pieces. 

• Pros: Inexpensive and takes well to stain. This kind of wood tends to develop a nice yellower sheen over time. 
• Cons: Being a softwood, it's prone to scratches and dents, so not a good choice for high-use pieces.   

Walnut 

Walnut gives different colour shades depending on which part of the tree it’s harvested from. Known for its ability to deliver well on design, walnut is typically used in any type of furniture. 

• Pros: Stable wood with rich, earth-toned colour. 
• Cons: High-end wood. Colour variation in a single wood board may not be suitable for some builders.   

Maple 

Maple is a creamy white hardwood. Maple is often chosen for heavy-use items like furniture, kitchen cabinets, and flooring. 

• Pros: Affordable and durable. Because it takes dark stains well, maple can be stained to your tone preference. 
• Cons: If maple is not properly sealed first, the staining can look blotchy.  

Birch 

Birch is a lighter coloured wood. Its higher density makes for a good choice when durability is needed. Being porous, the wood absorbs stain unevenly, leading to a blotchy appearance. 

• Pros: Delivers well on finished (unstained) products.  
• Cons: Staining can be tricky. No natural rot-resistant properties.  

Oak Wood Cabinets Pros and Cons 

Now let’s talk about the star of the blog: oak wood.  

A common tree species in the Northern Hemisphere, this hardwood is known for its strength and durability. 

There are more than 600 species of oak trees, but they are divided into two subspecies categories for commercial use: red oak and white oak.  

Red oak 

This oak wood comes in reddish undertones. Red oak planks have heavy, prominent grains, which can hide dents and scratches well. Red oak also takes stains fairly well, allowing for a range of colour options in your projects. 

Red oak is also cheaper than white oak because of its common availability.  

However, it has some cons as well.  

Red oak wood has poor water resistance. Red oak is not recommended for crafting outdoor furniture because it tends to warp and split more easily due to its open pore structure. 

White Oak 

This oak sub-family has closed pores and grains that make it naturally water and rot resistant. The wood derived from this tree is highly durable and sturdy. White oak is typically lighter in colour than red oak, ranging from a light tan to pale brown. It also takes very well to staining and painting.  

If you’re using it to make large furniture, remember, it’s a heavier wood and can be difficult to move. This species of wood also tends to be more expensive.  

Using Oak Wood for Cabinets 

Oak wood has been a popular go-to for cabinet making for ages. It’s well-known for its timeless, classic finish and look. When sunlight hits those natural, Cathedral grains, the result is unmatched.  

Oak wood has unique grain properties that make it an ideal wood choice for kitchen and other cabinets. Red oak is also typically less expensive than competitors: cherry and maple. 

So why should you build with oak wood? Because it’s an amazing product that delivers high-quality results. 

Pros 

Excellent durability 

Oak is a very durable wood. It’s strong and it’s stable. Depending on exposure to elements, oak wood can last ages, even with low maintenance.  

Beautiful appearance 

A most alluring feature of oak wood is its distinctive colours. If used cleverly, the resulting furniture can produce some remarkable results. The open grainy patterns natural to the wood can result in some wonderful looks in the final product.  

Water-resistant wood 

The closed cell structure of white oak lumber makes it great for exposure to moisture. Compared to other types of wood, oak is highly resistant to warping and shrinking, even in high humidity.  

Easy to work with 

Hardwood can be a bit tricky to handle, especially if you’re a novice, but not red oak. Whether you work on it with your hand tools or use machines, the results tend to be good. Red oak also responds well to steam bending, nails and screws very well. 

High-quality finishes 

Oak wood is amazing when it comes to finishes. You can stain it, but you can also just go straight to lacquering it and let its natural toned beauty shine. 

Availability 

Red oak is a popular wood and is in high demand, but the supply is also abundant, whereas white oak is in tighter supply. Also, oak trees are quite tall, so the yield from each tree can go a long way.  

Cons 

Cost 

White oak generally grows slowly, so supply is less abundant. 

As always, we are here to support you in your woodworking or renovation project. We are known for our dependable service and quality products. Whether you’re interested in learning more about woodworking or have a custom cabinetry project in mind, please call us or send us an email and let’s connect. We are happy to help!