White oak cabinetry has been all the rage and seems to be here to stay. However, getting your white oak cabinet finish correct is a task unto itself.
You can easily ruin your new custom cabinetry by using the wrong combination of stains or sealants and we want to help you avoid this mistake!
Note: All woods (whether they be hardwood or plywood) need some kind of sealant to prolong the life of the cabinetry as well as prevent oil residue from fingerprints, spills, etc…without this, your cabinetry will show severe wear and stains over time and will be very difficult to keep clean.
Here is a quick overview of the two most common mistakes we see:
- OIL BASED CLEAR COATS
- MISTAKE: If you use traditional oil-based lacquer, conversion varnish, or really any other oil based product you will inevitably “yellow” or “orange” the natural color of white oak.
- SOLUTION: If you’re after a natural and unfinished look, use a water based product. One of our current favorites is General Finishes “Dead Flat”. Water based products have come a long way in durability and leave a much more “clear” finish which maintains the raw look of white oak that everyone is after these days.
- DARK STAIN
- MISTAKE: Believe it or not we often see white oak cabinetry stained with medium brown and grey-ish tones all the way to very dark and ebony like finishes. These may look fantastic, however, it is a complete departure from the natural beauty of white oak.
- SOLUTION: Our expert opinion is that if you want a medium to dark finish on your cabinetry, you should consider using a different wood such as red oak. Red oak has extremely similar grain characteristics to white oak and takes on stain colors very well. And with red oak being more cost effective, you end up with the same finish – without the white oak price tag..win-win!
Take a look at this image attached below for reference. On the left-most side we have white oak with a water based, dead flat finish (as described above). This is the lightest natural finish you can expect from white oak before using a white wash or bleach of some kind. Working from the medium brown stain onward you can see where we have noted “Red Oak” as an ideal material for darker stains.
We hope this quick tip has been helpful for you!
When you’re working with your cabinet maker to select materials and finishes, be sure to keep this in mind.
At Kerfside, we are constantly working with homeowners like yourself to harmonize material and finish selections so that you can avoid these common mistakes (amongst many others) and love the way your new cabinetry looks and feels!
If you are looking for an expert to help with your custom cabinetry project, please contact us by booking your Discovery Call on our website.
Best,
Author: Judson Archer / Owner
