The durability of white oak cabinets makes it a top choice for heavily used kitchens. Oak can retain its sophisticated look while remaining durable. Traditionally, white oak has large cathedral grain patterns. Various styles such as quarter-sawn and rift-cut milling have changed that to straight grain which produces a more modern look. To customize the appearance of white oak cabinets, there are a variety of wood stains that can be applied and also incorporated into two-tone cabinets.
There are several North American varieties of white oak. The most popular is the white oak from Appalachia. It is known for its durability, strength, and consistency.
White oak cabinets in the kitchen – Why choose it?
The deep hues of oak cabinets that were popular during the 1980s are likely to come to mind. Honey oak cabinets, in particular, were very popular at this time — to the point that many of the most luxurious kitchens were flooded with them. While oak may have been overdone, and there is nothing more unappealing than a kitchen that looks identical to everyone else’s, it has a lot of potential that were simply not realized. The early 2000s saw many homeowners abandon oak kitchen designs altogether in favor of woods other than oak.
While red oak has gone out of style, oak in general doesn’t have to remain marginalized in interior design forever. It could regain its dominance in the kitchen with a few small changes, but they need to be more versatile and visually pleasing so that it can remain relevant as trends change. The clean, contemporary appearance of white oak can serve as the starting point for this change.
We have discovered a number of advantages to working with white oak. Here are a few of them:
Lasting
There are many types of hardwood, but white oak cabinets are the most durable. As a result, white oak cabinets can retain their sophisticated look without sacrificing durability. This makes them an ideal choice for kitchens where other types of cabinets may succumb to dents or dings very quickly.
Patterns of grain are beautiful
In the past, oaks were usually flat-cut. The flat cut produces large cathedral grain patterns that people associate with oak, and is a less expensive, higher-yielding cut. With the introduction of quarter-sawn and rift-cut milling to furniture and cabinetry today, quality furniture and cabinet makers can achieve a new look. Quarter-sawn adds intriguing flecks of cross-ring growth and changes the look of a board from the cathedral to straight grain.
Color schemes at the top of the trend
Honey and red oak’s warm red tones aren’t in style these days. We’re not sure if they’ll ever return, but for now, this look looks best suited to vintage settings. As compared to today’s emphasis on neutrals, white oak provides a completely different canvas due to its wheat to green-brown tones. Additionally, white oak’s milder hues make it easier to use flooring, countertops, or tiles to create contrast. White oak creates an unobtrusive backdrop for unexpected accents in your kitchen if you want to add some color.
It is versatile
To add warmth and character to modern kitchens, white oak cabinets are a great replacement for white-painted cabinets. Adding a stand-out backsplash or island to white oak kitchen cabinets will create an effortlessly appealing kitchen. White oak kitchen cabinets can also be customized using a variety of stains. Intricate details can be highlighted by stains.
Do White Oak Kitchen Cabinets Cost a Lot?
Cabinet types, kitchen sizes, local labor, material, and hardware costs affect the price of white oak kitchen cabinets. A standard-sized kitchen with oak cabinets costs $4,000 to $5,000, while a semi-custom or semi-stock kitchen costs $5,000 to $12,000. It is likely that oak cabinets will cost at least $8,000 to $20,000, and that installation costs will likely be around 15 to 25% of the total cost. If you have oak cabinets worth $10,000, the installation might cost $1,500 to $2,500. Others may charge $50 to $100 per cabinet, $50 to $100 per linear foot, or by the hour.
White Oak Cabinet Finishing
In the building industry, oak is considered a standard hardwood, available in light, dark, cherry, walnut, pecan, or almost any tint. As a result of their natural form, white oak cabinets offer a minimalist and simple appearance with wood that is specifically suited to this type of cabinet. Adding white oak cabinets to any space creates a sense of luxury and depth that is also soft in appearance. The ray flecks on quarter-sawn or riftsawn white oak cabinets can be highlighted and emphasized by using any type of dye, whether it is water, alcohol, or oil soluble.
Apply a pigment stain and wipe it off to get even color results. Shellac can be used to seal dyed wood, and a finishing coat toned with a pigment or dye will give it depth. Similar to dyed wood, varnished blends or oils penetrate well and add even color. Using aniline dye can really highlight the ray flecks in quarter-sawn or riftsawn white oak cabinets. For outdoor white oak cabinets, use spar varnish or exterior urethane for a weather-resistant finish.
