Is Softwood or Hardwood Better for Cabinets?
The type of wood you use for your cabinetry project is crucial. There are typically more than 50 different types of wood to choose from when it comes to designing Custom Cabinets in Vancouver. The type of wood that best suits your project really depends on the purpose of the project and where the cabinets are being placed. Deciding whether hardwood or softwoods best suits you depend on your budget, if the cabinetry will be painted, and personal preferences.
Hardwoods
Doors are often made from solid hardwoods such as Cherry, Maple, Ash, Walnut, Hickory & Oak. This is because the cabinet doors are the areas which are most likely to get dinged and beaten up. Using hardwoods prevents damage and helps create a much cleaner look to the front of the cabinets. Hardwoods also sport a nice grain pattern which looks beautiful in cabinetry.
The downside is the cost. Hardwoods tend to be on the expensive end in comparison to softer woods. Though Hardwoods tend to be more expensive than softwood but the lack of resin makes it more durable and resistant to scratches and damage. On top of that, the lower odour emissions of hardwoods also make them a healthier choice because they are less likely to provoke allergy or asthma attacks. Hardwoods also tend to have much lower moisture content. This makes them less likely to warp and damage the structure of the cabinet.
A problem you may have with hardwood is that finding hardwood lumber may take a little more work than softwood. For larger projects, you might find yourself waiting longer for supply due to lumber yard production and delivery times. If you’re sourcing hardwood from a local sawmill, aim for kiln-dried wood. Lumber yards will usually stock air-dried wood dried for over a year to lower the moisture content. If they get backed up, they may also offer better deals on the wood.
Softwoods
Softwoods are often utilized for the body and insulation of cabinets. Woods such as Pine, Fir, Spruce, Redwood, Cedar, Cypress, Hemlock are great softwoods. Almost 80 percent of lumber produced is softwood. The main reason for this is that softwood lumber is plentiful and it typically costs significantly less than hardwood. Softwood is also much easier to find which leads to less time waiting for deliveries because of a lumber company’s supply problems.
Softwoods are typically not recommended as the first choice for cabinets. This is primarily because softwoods contain natural resins which emit terpenes and volatile organic compounds. These compounds have been linked to health problems in people with asthma, other breathing problems, allergies or sensitivities. On top of that, softwoods also break down faster, scratch easily and need more finishing to seal resins inside.
Conclusion
Ultimately it comes down to what your specific needs are. It is always recommended to go with hardwoods over softwoods but there are sometimes that you can get away with using softwoods to your advantage.
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