The No Fuss Wood for Your Kitchen: Maple Cabinets

By Leslie A.M.
RefacingCabinet.com Columnist

Things you probably associate with maple: Syrup, the Canadian flag, and cabinets. Maple cabinets are just one item on the list of uses for this excellent hardwood. You can use it in flooring, furniture, and even for your kitchen counter. It is commonly used for gym floors--which have to be pretty hard-wearing, of course. Maple is durable, resistant to dents, and perfect for cabinets.

Staining Kitchen Cabinets

If you want to stain maple cabinets, keep in mind that traditional paint-on stain does not take to the wood easily, often looking blotchy and uneven. However, there are other ways to add color. Dyes, wipe-on stains, and glazes are better options for a uniform color on maple. The grain is smooth and usually straight, but also comes in a variety of atypical grains. You can paint it, but why? It looks beautiful with just a sealant or rubbed-on oil.

Maple cabinets are not inexpensive, so if you are planning on staining them to look like another wood, oak or birch may be a better, more inexpensive option to achieve that look.

Versatility of Maple Kitchen Cabinets

Maple comes in a variety of hues--from a blonde, almost white color, to a yellowish-gold. Its durability and beauty are ideal for kitchens.

Maple cabinets look rich in a birdseye or fiddleback grain. Birdseye maple is opulent with pattern. Sometimes it resembles water droplets or the speckled look of ostrich skin. A wavy, almost wrinkly pattern is indicative of fiddleback.

Choosing maple kitchen cabinets can offer you a nice selection of choices. Other wood grain varieties to consider for custom cabinet doors include quilted, tiger, and curly maple.

After you've installed your maple kitchen cabinets, don't forget to stock up on syrup!

About The Author

Leslie A.M. Smith is a freelance writer and desperately needs a new kitchen. Until she can afford it, she has her eye on refacing her cabinets.