Reasons to Choose Birch Wood Cabinets: Pros And Cons 

Using birch wood for your kitchen cabinets is not just an investment but also a long-term commitment so you need to be sure that whatever you choose, you won’t regret it. To reinforce the decision you make, learning all about the pros and cons of a birch kitchen cabinets is an excellent choice. 

Pros

• More affordable –  Birch kitchen cabinets are the least expensive option you have when you’re focusing on hardwood and solid wood materials. It will also be more affordable in terms of updating the cabinets after some time.

• Natural color and aesthetics – Naturally light-colored, you can customize your cabinets to mimic the aesthetics of cherry, maple, or walnut.

• Good durability – These cabinets can be used in the kitchen without the danger of getting worn down from too much use. This strong wood can last for a long time with proper cleaning and maintenance. 

• Stains well – Birchwood can easily be stained where the wood reacts more naturally towards the stains unlike other types of wood.

• Easy to work with – More than its ability to stain well, birch is also easy to work with since the wood accepts nails and screws easily. It won’t turn your machine tools into blunt ones.

• Versatile – Birch wood can be used in a lot of ways, from sturdy material for building homes to a strong and durable kitchen cabinet. 

• Availability – It is one of the most popular wood varieties in the U.S, with a wide range of color variation, making it an easier option to find.

• Consistent Grain: The uniform and mostly straight look of the wood grain is appealing and considered a paint-grade hardwood. However, like any hardwood it will still expand and contract due to humidity.

Cons

• Uneven texture – Birch wood feels rough so would require thorough sanding if you choose a glossy finish to top your cabinet off. Normal stain applications tend to give a more matte finish due to its course nature.

• Susceptible to wear and tear – While durable in its own right, birch kitchens still can be subjected to daily wear and tear that when exposed to weather elements and not maintained properly can totally wear the wood down and rot. 

• Can easily form cracks – Birch is hygroscopic by nature, which makes it sensitive to high humidity levels that can cause the wood to warp and break. That’s not to say it isn’t hard as the wood falls between 1200-1300 on the Janka scale making it a solid product.

• Not compatible with shiny polish – Because of its rough and coarse texture, the surface is a bit irregular to touch and so won’t look good with a glossy finish. 

• Not compatible with dark stain – If you choose dark stain, you may expect irregular and blotchy results. According to custom cabinet maker  Deslaurier, birch is a porous wood that can absorb stain unevenly, resulting in a blotchy appearance when stained cabinets are not finished by professionals.

Is Birch Good for Cabinetry?

Birch is a popular top option for cabinetry for a reason and that’s because it works. It is a medium-density hardwood that is durable enough but not so hard that you won’t want to work on it.

However, the wood is strong enough that it’s resistant to dents and scratches. In addition to that, it is also an affordable option compared to other hardwood options offered in the market.

This wood type is also widely available so you won’t have a hard time looking for them for your cabinets. All of these factors point towards one thing, which is that birch is a good choice for kitchen cabinets.