Expert: maura macaluso - 1/17/2010

Question
We are remodeling our kitchen. I found maple cabinets with medium light stain and a brown glaze that I like.  When I went to another store, the cabinet sales  person suggested birch because it is less expensive. My concern is that the birch wood may not be very consistent is color and might have very dark spots.  The second salesman assured me I wouldn't have a problem because of the light stain with brown glaze. Do you agree?  Also, when looking at different cabinet companies, very few seemed to use birch.  Is there a reason for this?

Answer
Hi Elizabeth, Birch is commonly used for cabinets. My own kitchen cabinets are birch. It is considered a "poor man's maple".  It is true that when picking raw wood to make the cabinets the color and imperfections can vary from piece to piece.  This is true of all woods not just birch.  Most cabinet makers know that they can charge more for other woods than for birch so birch won't be used unless a homeowner requests it. There is nothing wrong with using birch, it is a good solid wood.  As for how your birch would look stained...you should ask for sample pieces using a few different finishes.  If you decide to go with the birch, don't pay in full until you are sure you are happy with the finished product.  Maple is also a beautiful wood but more expensive than birch.  If money is not an issue, you will be happier with the Maple as it finishes with a more rich feel to it.  One last word of advice is to never pick the color or stain when under florescent lighting.  Your kitchen most likely does not have florescent lighting and the color will look different once it is in your home.  It is always better to do your color choosing in natural indirect sunlight. Thanks for the question and good luck with your project.