White Oak Cabinets vs. Rift White Oak
Posted by Melissa Hollobaugh on Jun 14th 2023
Image Source: LSL Design CO
Obsessed with rift white oak cabinet doors? Looking for an affordable solution that will help you get that rift white oak look in your kitchen without paying an expensive upfront cost?
If you know anything about cabinet doors and the materials used to make them, you know that rift white oak can be hard to get your hands on. This type of wood is popular for its unique grain pattern and high-quality look, but it leans on the more expensive side.
Well, we have some exciting news at CabinetDoors.com - we now offer white oak for all of our slab and 5-piece hardwood cabinet doors available online. Natural white oak is an affordable alternative to rift white oak, with a similar grain pattern. With this option, you don't need to worry about sacrificing style and functionality to create a high-end modern look for your space. White oak will help you achieve the kitchen design you're looking for - at a price that can't be beaten.
Let's discuss the differences between rift white oak vs. natural white oak cabinet doors, so you can decide which material is best for your upcoming project.
Here's what you need to know.
White Oak Vs. Rift White Oak
Let's start with the basics. White oak comes from a white oak tree found in central North America. The best way to tell the difference between white oak vs. other woods is its distinctive grain pattern. This grain pattern is coarse and detailed. The lines run up and down the entire length of the wood, creating a captivating grain pattern you won't get from other wood materials.
One of the most common and popular white oak options is rift-cut. What makes this style different from traditional white oak is how the wood is cut. Rift-cut white oak is white oak that is cut at a 90-degree angle against the tree’s growth rings. This creates a distinctive tight linear grain pattern. However, after the wood is sawn, the rest of the material is discarded.
So - why is rift-cut much more expensive than natural white oak? It's because, unlike traditional wood, you can only use a small portion of the piece of wood to get the rift-cut effect. This makes rift-cut a premium product that's hard to find on the market for an affordable price.
Natural white oak, on the other hand, is somewhat affordable compared to other wood materials. With this option, you'll still get that gorgeous color you love about white oak wood and at a better price.
The Benefits of Natural White Oak
When you think of oak cabinet doors, your mind may go straight to the home designs of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The honey-colored oak is paired with warm hues and dark stone countertops.
Most kitchen home designs nowadays have moved towards a more modern aesthetic - which is why white oak is an excellent choice for home designs.
Here are some of the benefits of this wood type:
1. Durability and Longevity
White oak is one of the most durable options for cabinet doors. On the Janka Hardness scale, white oak is 1360 out of 4000. Which is considerably higher than other popular cabinet door options like pine or birch.
Since white oak has an impressive hardness score, it's more resistant to dents, scratches, dings, and unwanted damage. This means you can feel confident that they can last up to 50 years if taken care of.
2. Distinctive Grain Pattern
Even though the grain pattern isn't the same as rift-white oak, it's still a gorgeous option to include inside your home. With white oak wood, the stunning oak grain pattern is paired with a soft, subtle color. The uneven texture and medullary rays give the wood more depth, adding a touch of nature to your space.
3. Complements a Variety of Home Designs
Whether it's a rustic farmhouse or a contemporary design, you can feel confident that white oak will complete the aesthetic you're trying to achieve. The mild hues found in the grain are designed to complement your flooring and countertops. White oak is subtle yet warm, so you don't need to worry about the color distracting from other focal points in the space.
The versatility of the color, texture, and unique characteristics allows the cabinets to grow with your stylistic choices over the years. So if you ever want to change the look and feel of your space in 20 or 30 years, you won't need to replace your cabinets because white oak will always look as great as the day you installed it.
Top Kitchen Trends For White Oak
Whether it's modern, rustic, or minimalist - you can feel confident that white oak will complement your space. The versatility of this wood type makes it the go-to option for adding warm, golden tones to your kitchen that are modern, simple, and aesthetically pleasing.
Here are 3 kitchen home designs that use white oak:
Marble, Black, and White Oak
Modern white oak kitchen cabinets pair beautifully with white marble countertops and black cabinet hardware. Each color in this kitchen expertly complements one another to create an elevated and sophisticated look. The white counters and black cabinet hardware allow the subtle warm tones of white oak to flourish and be the center of attention.
Image Source: HomeBunch.com
Rustic Farmhouse
Pairing rustic white cabinet doors with other earthy tones and textures complements the natural colors found in your backsplash, flooring, walls, and cabinets. In this kitchen, they use silver cabinet hardware and white countertops, so the main focal points are the natural textures and colors found in the kitchen. The wood beams on the ceiling are a contrasting wood color that expertly complements the rustic white cabinet doors in the space.
When it comes to maintaining a clean, put-together look - it's best to pair white oak with a white countertop. This creates an open feel that is inviting and homey.
Image Source: Trickle Creek Homes & HomeBunch.com
A Mid-Century Masterpiece
One of the captivating characteristics of modern white oak kitchen cabinets is their ability to be merely a subtle detail or the entire focal point. This mid-century kitchen allows the white oak to be the center of attention.
They pair a playful black and white backsplash, white counters, and black hardware for a put-together look that's modern yet playful. The white oak adds a warm tone to the kitchen, creating a balanced and timeless kitchen design.
Image Source: HomeBunch.com
Elevate Your Kitchen With White Oak Cabinet Doors
At CabinetDoors.com, we're excited to offer white oak wood for all our cabinet door options online. Whether you're looking for white oak shaker cabinet doors or beadboard cabinet doors - we have everything you need to complete the home design of your dreams.
When you choose to go with white oak, you can feel confident that you're investing in a durable and timeless wood type that will continue to complement your kitchen design for years to come.
Order custom oak cabinet doors online today.
