Walnut – What Is and Isn’t Acceptable in Cabinet Doors
What’s acceptable in Walnut doors? Compare select, standard, rustic, knotty, and builder grades before you make your decision.
If you’re reading this, you’re likely staring at an expensive Walnut door, or planning to place a big order, and wondering, is this normal? Maybe your supplier sent you something that doesn’t match what you expected. Maybe they asked what grade you wanted, and you weren’t sure how to answer. These moments cause stress and delay, especially when your job is already on a tight timeline. You’re likely asking yourself: Is this colour variation acceptable? What about these knots or dark streaks? Should I reject this door? When quality is unclear, you may be unable to complete the job on time, which can harm your reputation.
Our team at Cutting Edge has made Walnut cabinet doors for over 20 years. We know this wood inside and out, from its subtle colour shifts to the character that can make or break a high-end look. We’ve worked with contractors across North America who demand consistency and craftsmanship. Whether you’re working on modern kitchens, luxury homes, or rustic spaces, we understand what’s acceptable in Walnut and how important it is that you understand it too.
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
Your Options for Walnut Cabinet Doors
Walnut is known for its rich tones, natural beauty, and wide variation in grain and colour. Most suppliers offer Walnut doors in some combination of five grades:
- Select Grade: best quality, very expensive
- Standard Grade: good quality, moderate variation
- Builder Grade: affordable, often used with dark stains or paint
- Knotty Grade: character wood with tight knots
- Rustic Grade: full of personality, made to stand out
However, every supplier defines their grades differently. What one shop calls select, another shop might call standard. That’s why understanding what your supplier considers acceptable is critical.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from each grade when you order from Cutting Edge.
Expectations For Select Grade Walnut Cabinet Doors
Select grade is the premium option. You should choose this option if you’re applying a light-coloured stain, clear lacquer, or whitewash finish.
A select grade door should have a face completely clear of knots, sapwood, or mineral streaks. Even the back should be at least 90% clear of that type of character.
Solid wood panels are colour-matched to the surrounding frame, ensuring a consistent and seamless appearance. While plywood panels may vary slightly in colour from the solid wood frame, the difference should be minimal.
Anything that immediately draws your eye, such as a sharp colour shift, small knot, or inconsistent grain, is unacceptable. Select grade is about achieving the refined, uniform look often found in synthetic materials, but in genuine wood.
Expectations For Standard Grade Walnut Cabinet Doors
Standard grade Walnut sits comfortably in the middle, making it ideal for medium to dark stains that highlight the natural wood. This grade works well when customers want something that feels natural but not rustic.
A standard grade door will have a face clear of character, with at least 75% of the back free from defects. Unlike select grade Walnut, our team doesn’t colour match the material, but any colour variation should be gradual and balanced.
Pin knots or mineral streaks may be present, but only if they blend in and don’t dominate the look. If the first thing you notice is an imperfection, it likely doesn’t meet the standard.
Bruising, burls, wormholes, or stark grain interruptions are not acceptable in this grade. The goal is to achieve a natural look, without distractions that compromise the overall appearance.
Expectations For Builder Grade Walnut Cabinet Doors
Builder grade is your budget-friendly option, most often used with dark stains that hide colour or grain variations. It provides a balance between cost and appearance while maintaining structural integrity and visual appeal.
This grade allows for some visible imperfections. The face of the door should be at least 75% clear of characters, while the back must be around 50% clear. Up to 25% of the face can have minor flaws such as pin knots, mineral streaks, or bruising, provided they are not concentrated in one area. Worm tracking is acceptable if it doesn’t include holes, and burls are fine if they are under ¾” in both length and width.
However, black mineral streaks, open knots, splits, or sharp light-to-dark contrasts are not allowed.
Expectations For Knotty Grade Walnut Cabinet Doors
Knotty grade doors are perfect for projects that embrace natural character. This grade features sound, tight knots that add warmth and texture to a room. It’s a popular choice for rustic kitchens or cozy spaces where personality is the priority.
Knots must be secure and should not risk falling out. Small cracks within knots are fine, but they shouldn’t go all the way through. If a knot is loose, it can be glued in if it fits snugly. Any splits that do occur must be filled from the back and should still look natural.
That said, no knots are allowed on the inside or outside profiles of the door. Any knot that compromises a groove or the panel edge is unacceptable. And while you should expect natural imperfections, machining defects are never permitted.
Note that Knotty Walnut doors are only available with solid wood panels.
Expectations For Rustic Grade Walnut Cabinet Doors
Rustic grade takes natural variation to the max. This is the right choice if you or your client loves knots, mineral streaks, and dramatic grain. It’s bold, warm, and full of personality.
This grade welcomes loose knots, even ones with visible splits or missing material. Cracks, sapwood, and wide colour swings are all part of the charm. These doors tell a story, and no two are alike.
Like with knotty grade doors, structural compromises or machining defects are unacceptable. Knots, cracks, and splits that could weaken the door, or those placed on profiles or exposed grooves, are not acceptable.
Note that Rustic Walnut doors are only available with solid wood panels.
How To Choose The Correct Type of Walnut Cabinet Doors
Choosing the right Walnut grade depends on your customer’s expectations, your design goals, and your budget. Here are a few questions to guide your decision:
- Will you finish the doors with a clear, light, medium, or dark finish? Light finishes show everything, so you’ll want to choose select grade. Darker stains mask variation, making standard or builder grade Walnut more practical.
- Is a consistent, uniform look important to the design? Choose select grade if your client wants a clean, modern look.
- Will visible knots or mineral streaks enhance or distract from the space? Choose knotty or rustic Walnut if you want character. However, stick with select or standard grade if imperfections will be a distraction.
- What’s the customer’s budget? Builder grade is the best way to keep costs low. Higher grades cost more.
- Will the finish draw attention to imperfections, or hide them? Clear or light finishes require higher grades. Painted or dark-stained doors can use lower grades without showing flaws.
For light or whitewashed finishes, select grade is your best bet. If you want a natural but clean look, standard grade delivers balance. Builder grade works well when costs matter, and a stain will conceal any imperfections. Knotty and rustic are ideal when you want to lean into character and texture.
What If Your Supplier Doesn’t Offer The Best Fit For Your Needs?
You shouldn’t have to settle for a grade that doesn’t match your vision. If your supplier doesn’t clearly define each grade, or only offers one or two options, you may need to start asking harder questions:
- Do you have samples I can review before ordering?
- Can you provide a written description of what’s acceptable in each grade?
- How do you handle colour matching or blending?
- What’s your process if a door doesn’t meet expectations?
It may be time to look elsewhere if your supplier can’t answer confidently or avoids the conversation. You deserve clarity before the order, not confusion after delivery.
Learn How To Price Out Walnut Cabinet Doors Online
Now that you understand what’s acceptable in each Walnut grade, you’re equipped to make confident, informed choices. You’ve seen how finish type, design intent, and budget all play a role in choosing the right door for the job. This clarity helps you avoid delays, reduce waste, and keep your projects on track.
You’re not alone if you’ve ever received a door that didn’t meet expectations or felt unsure about what you were ordering. Many contractors face this exact frustration. At Cutting Edge, we’ve spent over 20 years helping professionals like you avoid guesswork and get it right the first time. Your next step is to learn how to price out your Walnut cabinet doors online and choose the exact grade that fits your project. We’re here to help you deliver high-quality results on time, every time.
