- Devix Kitchens
White Oak kitchen cabinets
Updated: Jun 23, 2022
White oak kitchen cabinets
is a popular choice - but not traditional oak cabinets: the majority are rift or quarter cut oak veneers on flat doors.
The basics of oak cabinets
Modern kitchens generally have flat (slab) doors and to make those doors, I use Oak veneer - something like that.
Different types of veneer
It could be Flat Cut veneer or Rift (or quarter) cut. Whats the difference?
Flat Cut Veneer showcases a “cathedral” look of annual rings:
This is Flat cut European Oak
Rift (or quarter) has narrow lines with a very straight grain pattern:
This is Rift cut White Oak
When I get the veneer, It will be laminated on to sheet boards: MDF, Particle board, or lumbercore boards (not a good option). MDF (premium) and particle board offer great dimensional stability compared to plywood, Plywood is good for cabinets but not for doors because it is not perfectly flat.
It is possible to make finger pulls or integrated handles to make the look of the kitchen even more modern ( like on the picture above )
Slip shaker doors with white oak veneer and solid wood frame - is also a great option.
The last step is finishing
The door are spray-painted with clear coat of polyurethane Italian paint - which is non-yellowing compared to traditional lacquers. It is also possible to add stain.
Oak Modern Kitchen
White oak kitchen cabinets are a popular choice for a modern kitchen. Many people like Scandinavian look: with natural low sheen finish on white oak. That minimalistic style has become pretty trendy these days. Most of the time there's no hardware but finger pulls and push-to-open devices.
Many High-end interior designers choose white oak veneer for their projects. And depending on the overall style and colors in the house, white oak kitchen can be very different:
white oak veneer could be flat cut or rift cut
the color of the veneer could lighter or darker depending on the region
it could be natural veneer made of real trees
Or it could be recon veneer:
it is a special type of veneer that is created using real wood from renewable sources to simulate rare or exotic wood species.
Veneer could be finished with super matt Acrylic finish that gives a very natural look and feel.
Veneer could be finished with polyurethane finish that is super durable and comes in different sheens.
Veneer could be stained to any color - so you kitchen can be VERY unique and one of a kind.
Finish for white oak kitchen cabinets
We Only use solvent based urethane finishes - same base as high-end car paint - hard as a rock when dry. Waterbase finish is no good for cabinets ( we don't use CV and other inferior products) . Depending on the color, we use superior quality 2k acrylic or polyurethane finish. Its absolutely non toxic and eco friendly Italian paint - the best on the planet.
With a lot of different options:
Some people like super matt finish
Some people like velvet finish
Many people like 20% furniture-look finish
Some like High-gloss veneer
Some people like when the veneer is lighter and some when the veneer is darker
All-in-all - there is a LOT of design options with white oak kitchen cabinets
White oak modern shaker doors
Slim shaker doors is also a popular choice with Toronto Kitchen designers. Shaker white oak doors are solid wood doors, aka 5-piece doors.
