What Is the Best Wood Grade For Stained Cabinet Doors?
Which wood grade is best for stained cabinet doors? Discover how builder, standard, and select grades compare to make the right choice.
When ordering stained cabinet doors, selecting the right wood grade is essential. Choose a grade that is too high, and you pay more than you need to. Too low, and you might face additional costs, quality issues, or even replacement needs – resulting in unhappy clients and harming your reputation. As you work to become a trusted installer, you can’t afford to make mistakes. So what is the best option for your stained cabinet doors? What information do you need to have to make an educated decision?
At Cutting Edge, we’ve produced and stained cabinet doors for over 20 years. Along the way, we realized that at some point, all of our customers needed assistance to choose the correct wood grade for their projects. That’s why we’ve developed clear grades with consistent results to help you avoid the headaches caused by selecting the wrong wood grade.
In this article, you’ll learn how the three common grades for stained cabinet doors compare across four categories – price, stain compatibility, character, and availability – and which grade is the best choice. When you’re done, you’ll have all the information you need to make a confident, informed decision – and keep your customers happy.
Best Wood Grades for Stained Cabinet Doors
You would typically choose one of three common grades for stained cabinet doors: builder grade, standard grade, or select grade. While different cabinet door suppliers may have different names for these grades, you should be able to find a similar option wherever you order.
When selecting the best wood grade for stained cabinet doors, comparing the main options side-by-side makes it easier to understand which fits your needs. Below is a table summarizing the critical factors for each grade – builder, standard, and select – followed by a breakdown of each criterion to help you make an informed choice.
| Grade | Price | Stain Compatibility | Characteristics | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Builder Grade | Least expensive, ~8% less than standard | Best for dark stains | Some character, noticeable colour variations | Available in most wood types |
| Standard Grade | Mid-range | Suitable for medium to dark stains | Minimal character, some colour variation | Most widely available |
| Select Grade | Most expensive, at least 20% more than standard | Best for light stains, whitewashes and clear finishes | Very uniform colour, no visible character | Limited due to sorting requirements |
Now, let’s look at these criteria in-depth to see how the grades compare.
Price
Which option is the most cost-effective? Is there one option that is more expensive than the others?
Builder Grade: This is the least expensive option, costing roughly 8% less than the standard grade option. Builder grade can be a smart choice if you’re working within a tight budget or for projects where character is acceptable.
Standard Grade: With a mid-range price point, standard grade offers an ideal balance between affordability and quality. Its cost makes it accessible for most projects without sacrificing a clean, professional look.
Select Grade: As the highest-priced option, select grade wood costs at least 20% more than standard grade. This premium is due to the extensive sorting and consistency checks required to produce pieces with minimal colour variation and character, making it suitable for high-end projects.
Builder Grade Cabinet Doors Are The Least Expensive
If you’re working with a tight budget, builder grade cabinet doors might be a way for you to cut costs without harming the overall aesthetic of your project. However, be cautious when you go this route. You might get lucky and receive builder grade cabinet doors that work under a light or medium stain, but there’s no guarantee.
Stain Compatibility
How flexible and versatile are these grades? Is there one option that works more frequently than the others?
Builder Grade: Best paired with dark stains, builder grade wood has natural variations that can be effectively masked by darker finishes. This grade allows your supplier to spend less time sorting the wood without worrying about the imperfections standing out.
Standard Grade: This grade offers versatility in stain compatibility, working well with medium and dark stains. Standard grade’s moderate colour consistency and minimal character make it flexible for many finishes.
Select Grade: With minimal natural variations, select grade material is ideal for light stains, whitewashed finishes, or clear lacquers. It’s perfect for achieving an even, high-end look, where the natural beauty of the wood takes center stage without visible inconsistencies.
Standard Grade Cabinet Doors Are The Most Flexible
Standard grade cabinet doors are the most popular option because they are versatile. You can use standard grade material for dark-stained finishes without breaking your budget. Alternatively, you can use standard grade under a light finish if your customer accepts some natural colour variation and wood characteristics.
Characteristics
What should you and your customers expect from each wood grade? How many of the natural features of wood are acceptable?
Builder Grade: This grade has the most natural character, including noticeable closed knots, mineral streaks, and colour variations. These features may be visible under darker stains, giving builder grade wood a unique, rustic look.
Standard Grade: Standard grade wood has minimal character, with occasional light colour variations that lend a natural look. This grade works well for projects where a bit of character is acceptable but not overwhelming.
Select Grade: With no visible knots or streaks, select grade wood is carefully sorted to ensure uniformity. This grade is ideal for clients seeking a high-end, “plastic perfection” look, where the wood appears smooth, even, and consistent.v
Select Grade Cabinet Doors Are The Most Consistent
You should choose select grade cabinet doors if you and your customers require close-to-perfect wood doors. Although you pay more for select grade doors, this extra cost translates directly into higher quality and consistency.
Availability
Are any or all of these grades readily available? Can you and your customers expect these options in every wood type?
Builder Grade: Builder grade wood is fairly common. This grade has fewer sorting requirements, making it possible for most suppliers to provide. However, not all suppliers will provide a builder grade option in every wood type.
Standard Grade: This grade is the most widely available and can be found at nearly any cabinet door supplier. Its balance of quality and affordability makes it a popular choice.
Select Grade: Due to its meticulous sorting process, select grade wood may not always be available. This grade is generally reserved for high-end projects where the investment in quality is essential to the project’s success.
Standard Grade Cabinet Doors Are The Most Commonly Available
Of the three options, standard grade cabinet doors are widely available. Most lumber available can work for standard grade doors, allowing all suppliers to offer this or a similar grade.
Standard Grade Cabinet Doors Are Ideal For Most Projects
Standard grade wood is the most popular choice for stained cabinet doors, offering a moderate price point and versatility in stain options. With slight colour variations and minimal character, standard grade material works well with medium and dark stains, making it a flexible choice. If your clients are looking for a natural, polished appearance without the price tag of a select grade, standard grade is the ideal solution.
Its wide availability means you can count on standard grade wood being accessible without delays, making it the reliable go-to when you need consistency, quality, and flexibility.
An In-Depth Look At Standard Grade Cabinet Doors
Choosing the right wood grade for stained cabinet doors doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding the distinctions between builder, standard, and select grades, you can confidently select the option that fits your project requirements and client expectations.
Now that Cutting Edge has empowered you to choose the correct wood grade, it’s up to you to decide. Whether you’re after the flexibility of standard grade, the cost savings of builder grade, or the luxury finish of select grade, Cutting Edge can help ensure you get exactly what you need.
So what is your next step? Learn more about standard grade cabinet doors and when this grade will help you deliver high-quality results.
