• Wood for cabinetshigh definition tv storage cabinet image by James Phelps from Fotolia.com
  
  Most cabinets are made of plywood, used for the carcass of the box. The cabinet face frame is made of solid wood as are the door and drawer fronts. Cabinet drawers usually are made of Baltic plywood or out of solid hardwoods. Many types of hardwoods are used in cabinets for their beauty and strengths. Knowing the various types of woods will help you decide on what you want to use for your cabinets.
  
  

Oak

• There are approximately 600 species of oak available. Oak is known for its great strength and hardness. Oak is naturally very resistant to fungus and insects. Oak is the most commonly used wood for cabinets. Oak varies in color from red to almost pure white.
  
  

Cherry

• Cherry is the most expensive wood used for cabinetry. Cherry has a fine closed and uniform grain. Cherry is known for its minerals streaking and has pin holes and spots of gum. Cherry is known for its dark red to brown color that darkens with age. Cherry can also vary in color from white, pink, gray to green.
  
  

Hickory

• Hickory is a very heavy and strong wood that has a strong shock resistance. Hickory varies in color from dark brown to white within a single piece of wood. Hickory is known for its minerals streaking, intermittent pecks and burls. Hickory is used as a alternative to oak because hickory has an open grain pattern that is seen in many pieces of modern furniture.
  
  

Maple

• Maple is the least expensive of the hardwoods used for cabinets. Maple is mostly white with streaks that darken when stained. Maple has a tight grain pattern that is normally straight but may have a wavy look. Maple is available in a soft wood or a hardwood known for its strength.