Hard Maple Wood Cabinets Hard maple is a fine-grain and light-color wood slightly more expensive than oak but less dense. A popular choice for semi-custom and custom cabinets, maple can be stained, but it is most often dressed with a clear or natural finish to achieve a light, contemporary look.Oct 20, 2020
Are maple cabinets durable?
Because of its soft grain, maple works well with both Traditional and Contemporary designs. And because it's hard and durable, your maple cabinets should last for years. Natural woods are very popular at the moment, and there's a good reason why maple leads the list.May 30, 2019
Do maple cabinets turn yellow?
Over the years, your beautiful maple cabinets have acquired a faded and ugly yellow hue. Maple surfaces owe their light natural color to their clear oil finish, which breaks down over time to regain its original oily yellow color. When this chemical process occurs in a dry climate, the finish becomes brittle.Oct 4, 2016
What stains better hard or soft maple?
Soft maple will blotch with stain, more than hard maple. It is easier to shoot toner over either maple than to stain it. From contributor G: Soft maple will actually absorb stain, thus making it easier to get deep colors.
Is maple good for painted cabinets?
Not only can maple cabinets be painted white, but they can be painted any color you choose. Right now, the most popular color is white.Oct 31, 2019
Does maple hold paint well?
Maple is much harder and takes paint much better - (smoother) and it simply holds up better. It's also more dimensionally stable, so over time it doesn't move as much and your joint lines don't show as much.
Is maple a good choice for kitchen cabinets?
Maple wood is recognized for its durability, fine texture, and smooth uniform grain which allows it to easily take a variety of stains and finishes. Naturally, this makes it an excellent choice for kitchen cabinets of any style and budget.
How do you finish maple cabinets?
- Do not stain! ...
- Start on the back! ...
- Moisten the wood with a slightly damp cloth to raise the grain.
- Sand to 120, 180, 220 to prep an even and smooth surface, knocking down all the raised grain.
- Coat thinly with Zinsser sanding sealer cut 50% with denatured alcohol.
How do you refinish natural maple cabinets?
Sand the cabinets and frames with 120-grit sandpaper to smooth it out. Work only in the direction of the grain to bring out the delicate pattern that maple is famous for. Go over them again with 180-grit sandpaper for a smoother finish. Wipe the cabinets down to remove any dust or grit.
How do you finish hard maple wood?
Another commonly used finishing technique on maple is to apply tung oil or linseed oil after the final sanding. These oils tend to bring out the curly or tiger looks of the maple. Follow the oil with a coat or two of shellac. For a more durable finish, top-coat over the shellac with a clear lacquer or polyurethane.Nov 4, 2019
Is it better to paint or stain maple cabinets?
Stain tends to hold up better long-term than paint, because it is absorbed into the surface of the wood. Wood will expand and contract with humidity; paint can't move with the wood, so it is more likely to split and crack on seams and joints.May 25, 2018
Are maple cabinets more expensive than oak cabinets?
Hard maple is a fine-grain and light-color wood slightly more expensive than oak but less dense. A popular choice for semi-custom and custom cabinets, maple can be stained, but it is most often dressed with a clear or natural finish to achieve a light, contemporary look.Oct 20, 2020
Which wood is most expensive for cabinets?
In terms of cost, pine is the cheapest cabinet wood you can use while mahogany is one of the most expensive, with oak and maple falling in the mid-range in terms of price.
Is maple or oak cheaper?
Maple is slightly less expensive than oak, with an average price of $7 to $11 per square foot for materials and installation. In some cases, you could pay $15 or more per square foot.