Most clients choose wood by color. We’d add three more questions: how hard is it, how does it age, and what does it cost per board foot?
White oak
Hard, stable and calm in grain. It takes oil and lacquer well and ages to a soft honey tone. Our most popular choice for shelving and kitchens.
Walnut
Dark, rich and slightly softer than oak. Beautiful in living rooms and studies, but it lightens in direct sun over the years. Costs about 40% more than oak.
Cherry
Starts pale pink and darkens to deep red within a year. Smooth to work and lovely to touch, best for furniture-like pieces where the patina is part of the charm.
“If you can’t decide, come to the showroom and touch all three. Most people know within a minute.”
See our built-ins service
