Difference Between Birch And Maple Kitchen Cabinets

Most people prefer to installwood cabinetsduring the process of remodeling their kitchens. Kitchen cabinets may be constructed from a number of wood types,of which maple and birch are the most common ones. While both of these wood types are fairly similar, you can makeyour choice depending on budget, color preferences, and the desired durability.

Both maple and birch are hardwoods, lightly grained and relatively light colored. Both wood types have uneven densities, which may cause blotching caused by the stain penetrating more deeplyinto some parts of the wood than into others.

You should be aware of some significant differences between birch and maple cabinets:

Birch

Because of its price and appearance, birch is one of the most popular wood varieties for kitchen cabinetry. It is a sturdy hardwood available in the Northeast parts of Canada and the United States.

It comes in a light color and looks very nice when left natural. Though it typically has a straight grain, some occasional curly patternsappear in it. Birchcan be given the darker shades of walnut or mahogany through staining.

Cost of Birch Cabinets

The cost is very difficult to estimate as it depends on the type of cabinet and the size of your kitchen; however, new birch cabinets can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $20,000. Stock cabinets are comparativelycheap,butyou will have to spend significantly morefor custom cabinets.

While birch is a little less expensive than maple, it offers limited staining options. If you try to paint it with a very dark stain color, the result will be an uneven, blotchy look. It also has a rougher texture than maple, so it may not be a great option if you want to have a smooth look and feel on your cabinet.

Maple

Maple wood shares a numberof similarities with birch. This sturdy wood is abundantin the United States and a popular choice for kitchen cabinets. One importantadvantage of maple is that it works wellfor both traditional and modern kitchens.

Maple also comes in a lighter color, but it is easier to stain it with darker wood tones. It has a subtle grain with an occasional curly pattern.

Cost of Maple Cabinets

Considering the type of kitchen and cabinets, the cost of maple cabinetry can range from $5,000 to $30,000, with custom cabinets tending to be costlier than stock cabinets. Mapleis more a more durable and higher grade of wood than birch, and it is also easier to stain with the tones of mahogany and walnut without the risk of blotching.

Using birch for your remodeling project allows you to save almost 80% on your materials. In that case, the blotching problem can be resolved by using gel stains. Unlike liquid stains, gel stains do not penetrate deeply into the wood. They resist absorption and remain on the surface of the wood with light penetration. As a result, the blotching is minimized without degrading the look of the wood. On the other hand, maple cabinets will provide durability, fine texture, and smooth finishing in your cabinet.

The author of this article, Victor Patel is a Home Improvement expert and blogger. He specializes in topics related to Discount Kitchen Cabinetry NJ.

Source: http://walkerspire.com/kitchen-and-bath-design/difference-between-birch-and-maple-kitchen-cabinets/

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