Pros and Cons of Hard Maple for Cabinet Doors
Hard Maple cabinet doors are popular due to a combination of durability, affordability, and availability – but Maple isn’t the only option.
Choosing the right material for cabinet doors is crucial for contractors and cabinet makers. If you’re considering hard Maple for your cabinet doors, you must understand its strengths and potential drawbacks. Learning these before you place your order will help prevent costly replacements and ensure satisfied customers.
At Cutting Edge, we have over 20 years of experience producing Maple cabinet doors. We know how important it is for you to have all the information about a product before you place your order.
So, keep reading to find:
- Pros of hard Maple cabinet doors
- Cons of Maple cabinet doors
- Grades of Maple from Cutting Edge
- Alternatives to hard Maple
By the end of this article, you’ll know whether hard Maple is the right choice for your next project.
Pros of Hard Maple Cabinet Doors
Hard Maple is well-known in the industry and is one of the most popular options on the market. It has four characteristics that help maintain its popularity.
1. Maple Is a Hardwood
Maple is known for its strength and durability. As a hardwood, it is more resistant to dents and scratches than softer woods like pine or soft Maple. This makes it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens, where cabinets endure frequent use. For contractors and cabinet makers, this means fewer customer complaints and replacements over time.
2. Smooth and Attractive Finish
Hard Maple has a fine, even grain that accepts most stains and finishes well, although wiping stains can turn blotchy. Its consistent texture allows for a smooth finish that enhances the natural beauty of the wood. Whether you apply a light stain to showcase its natural colour or a darker stain for a more dramatic look, Maple is a reliable base for various finishes. This versatility is ideal for matching different kitchen styles and customer preferences.
3. Works With Many Kitchen Styles
Maple is a versatile wood that works well in traditional and modern kitchen designs. Its neutral colour and smooth grain pattern work with painted finishes, stains, and clear lacquers. This adaptability helps you meet diverse client needs without compromising quality or aesthetics, making it a go-to choice for many contractors.
4. Readily Available
Because of its popularity and reputation, hard Maple is a preferred choice among homeowners. Luckily, one of the significant advantages of Maple is its widespread availability. Hard Maple is native to North America, especially in the northeastern United States and Canada. This availability makes Maple easy to source for manufacturers and contractors, ensuring you can meet project deadlines without long lead times. In addition, suppliers often stock large quantities of hard Maple, reducing the chances of delays due to backorders or shortages.
For contractors, having a readily available wood like Maple simplifies their purchasing process, making it easier to estimate costs and timelines accurately. Additionally, the widespread availability contributes to competitive pricing among suppliers, offering more options for sourcing and potentially reducing overall project costs. With Maple being so easy to find, you can provide reliable, high-quality products to your customers without worrying about supply chain disruptions.
Cons of Hard Maple Cabinet Doors
Unfortunately, Maple isn’t perfect. Four drawbacks could reduce its appeal to both you and your customers.
1. Harder to Machine and Work With
Hard Maple’s density contributes to its durability but makes it more challenging to machine and work with. Cutting, shaping, and sanding can require more time and specialized tools, potentially increasing labour costs. For less experienced woodworkers, this could lead to mistakes or subpar finishes, resulting in additional expenses and delays.
2. Colour Variations
Maple can have noticeable colour variations, even within the same batch. This can be a problem when you must achieve a uniform look, especially with lighter stains or clear finishes. While some customers appreciate this natural characteristic, others may find it undesirable. Clear communication with your clients about potential colour variability is crucial to avoid dissatisfaction.
3. Can Move Over Time
Like all woods, hard Maple expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature. This can cause warping or cracking over time if it is not properly managed, particularly in areas with significant climate fluctuations. You must consider this when advising clients on maintenance and location-specific considerations.
4. Higher Cost Compared to Other Woods
One of the drawbacks of hard Maple is its cost. It is slightly more expensive than soft Maple, Red Oak, or other readily available hardwoods. If budget constraints concern your clients, this could be a limiting factor. The high cost can also reduce your profit margins if you don’t account for it in your quotes.
At Cutting Edge, we understand that the cost can cause customers to go a different route. That’s why we offer multiple quality grades in Maple.
Grades of Hard Maple from Cutting Edge
At Cutting Edge, we offer three grades of Maple to meet various project needs and budgets. You’ll notice that each grade has a recommended application; this will help you narrow down when you should or shouldn’t purchase each grade.
- Builder Grade – Ideal for projects where you are applying a dark stain which can mask natural variations and other characteristics. This is the most economical choice for orders requiring a dark stained finish.
- Standard Grade – The most common grade used at Cutting Edge. It offers minimal colour variation, making it suitable for medium to dark stains. This grade provides a good balance between quality and cost.
- Select Grade – The highest quality with little to no colour variation. This grade helps you achieve a highly consistent appearance with light stains, clear lacquers, or whitewash finishes. Select grade is more expensive because you pay for the consistency and superior finish quality.
By understanding these grades, you can better match your client’s expectations and project requirements with the right type of hard Maple. For example, offering builder grade when possible will help you reduce costs and fit within lower budgets. On the other hand, ordering select-grade Maple when you know your customer has strict quality expectations can help prevent problems.
Alternatives to Hard Maple for Cabinet Doors
While hard Maple is a popular choice, it’s not the only option available. You should consider these four options if you need alternatives.
Soft Maple
Soft Maple is slightly more affordable and easier to work with than hard Maple. It has similar grain patterns but is less durable. Some customers prefer soft Maple because it can accept stained finishes better than hard Maple. This could be a suitable option for projects where budget and a consistent finish are priorities for you and your customer.
Red Oak
Red Oak is another durable hardwood, offering a distinct grain pattern. Again, it tends to be more affordable than Maple. However, the grain is stronger and more defined, which can make Red Oak too distinctive for some customers.
Cherry
Cherry wood has rich, warm tones. It is softer than Maple but offers a beautiful aesthetic that some clients may prefer. Unfortunately, Cherry is more expensive than Maple. However, that also means it is less used than Maple, making your designs more unique.
Birch
Birch is a cost-effective hardwood with a fine grain that can mimic the appearance of Maple. It is an excellent alternative for painted finishes where durability and cost-effectiveness are important. However, it has more colour variation than Maple, making it less ideal for stained or clear lacquer finishes.
Price Out Your Maple Cabinet Doors
After considering the pros and cons of hard Maple for cabinet doors, you know that this hardwood offers durability and versatility. However, its higher cost, machining difficulty, and potential for colour variations are important factors. Navigating the choices of wood species for cabinet doors can be challenging, especially when balancing cost, quality, and client satisfaction.
Now that you understand the ins and outs of Maple, you can consider how it fits into your next project. Whether you need durability, a premium finish, or budget-friendly alternatives, the right choice is crucial to your success. Your next step is to learn how to submit a quote online so you can easily price out your Maple cabinet doors.
