Alder is relatively soft with moderately fine, uniform grain and colors ranging from light tan to reddish brown. Alder is similar to Cherry but much softer which is useful when producing distressed and antiqued finishes. Alder gets lighter with age and with exposure to sunlight. Click to read more.

Cherry is considered a hardwood, although it is softer than other woods in this guide. Cherry is known for its rich grain and can also have the occasional small pin knots and pitch marks throughout. Cherry’s color deepens with time and is often associated with high end woodworking.

Hickory is known as one of the hardest, heaviest, and strongest American wood species. Hickory ranges dramatically in color from nearly white to dark brown and deepens with age. Rustic hickory is known for it’s dramatic color variations and it’s prominent grain. Bird pecks, small pin knots, and mineral streaks are common in hickory.

Maple is a hard wood which ranges from nearly white to cream colored with a fine, smooth grain. Because Maple has a fine grain, it can be stained or painted with beautiful results.

Oak wood is very strong, heavy, and durable. It is an attractive light color with a prominent grain. Oak is one of the most popular woods used in furniture and flooring. It’s often found in traditional, craftsman, and mission style furniture and is the wood of choice for the Amish. Because of it’s lighter color it takes to stain very well.

Pine is often an inexpensive, lightweight wood that can be yellowish or whitish with brown knots. It's often used for rustic pieces, like farmhouse-style tables. Pine develops a nice, rustic patina from age and use, but because it is quite soft it is prone to dents and scratches overtime.

Walnut is a hardwood with a straight-grain that ranges from chocolate brown (center of the tree) to yellow (outer portion of the tree). Walnut is typically a top pick for head-boards, ornate antique-style dining tables, and mantels, walnut is typically clear-coated or oiled to bring out its color. It is typically considered one of the more expensive woods.

Laminate cabinets are built in-house with medium-density laminate - a combination of wood byproducts and resin glued together under heat and hydraulic pressure. Durable plastic is laminated to both sides to produce solid sheets of material that's cut and assembled into cabinets. Laminate is a great option for heavy traffic areas like offices and commercial spaces, or those searching for a low-cost alternative for their kitchen remodel or other residential spaces.

Choosing vinyl fronts for your cabinets and other pieces offers you the opportunity to select from a wide variety of styles and colors. In addition to this it is often much cheaper and more durable than painted surfaces. We work with a vinyl manufacturer from southeast Michigan called JB Cutting.