Which Types of Wood Look Best with Espresso Stain?

While the options available to you are virtually limitless, if you’re a fan of the rich look of espresso-stained cabinetry, it’s important to choose a hardwood species that retains the luxurious integrity of the paint job.

What factors affect the coloring of wooden cabinets?

The bottom line is that wood has unpredictable properties. Prior to being harvested, wood lived within the tree, which was grown, shaped, and shaped according to moisture availability, soil nutrient content, and seasonal weather conditions. The wood was exposed to pests and diseases, and the tree’s immune system was activated to fight these forces.

As a result, the development of its wood grains varies by season and year. Nodules and other anomalies may also form. A strong wind bent it this way and that, which further changed the finished product.

Once the wood has been harvested, ground and cured (usually using the kiln-drying method), there are several factors and characteristics that affect how the wood will be stained.

1. Consider color

The color of the tree itself matters. Light woods tend to stain much faster and absorb more stains than dark woods. And that makes sense, right? It’s like dyeing your hair – dyeing blond hair black make a much more dramatic statement than dyeing brown hair black.

2. Porosity

We often write about porous countertops are prone to staining, and porous wood is also more susceptible to staining. Larger, more open pores tend to take on a darker color than smaller, narrower pores. However, some woods, such as pine, have larger pores, making them difficult to stain. Because the wood fibers are exposed, stains can penetrate deep into the wood, resulting in a mottled and uneven finish.

3. Humidity

Although wood is usually dried until its internal moisture level reaches 6-8%, this may vary depending on how it is stored and the humidity level in your home. As you can imagine, drier wood will completely absorb the stain, while richer wood will result in a lighter stain.

What type of wood is best for dark stain?

Kitchen cabinets can be made from variety of wood species. We will focus on the three most popular dark stains among our customers: Cherry, Hard Maple and Red Oak.

Based on the factors we explained above, let’s take a look at how these three popular cabinet wood candidates look with deep, dark, stain-like espresso.

Elegant and varied cherry wood

Cherries are quite dark on its own, enhanced by deep red hues. As shown in the sample below, the espresso stain nearly dulls the cherry’s inherent brightness and gives a simpler, Jane-like finish. contrary to the reputation of cherry cabinets or the desired result.

If you’re looking for a dark wood cabinetry finish that doesn’t have too much visible texture, cherry would be a great choice. Some designers will look for this type of search for their contemporary kitchen designs.

Distinctive and durable red oak

Red oak has the same effect as cherry in that the natural vibrancy is dulled a bit by the staining. On the other hand, the grain is still visible and gives wood texture appeal that many homeowners and designers crave. As the name suggests, red oak produces a brown espresso with red undertones.

Oak has one major drawback in this regard while usually a good stain candidate, the stain doesn’t absorb as well as the option we’ll look at next.

Also read: The Perfect Shades of Gray

Practical and attractive solid maple

We found that Hard maple is the best choice to improve the appearance of the espresso stain. It has the right color and fiber density to soak up an espresso stain, optimizing rich dark browns. As we mentioned, lighter woods will be more susceptible to staining, giving maple a competitive edge.

To get an idea of ​​how different types of wood stain different colors, check out our Wooden cabinet doors page and scroll down to the Wood Door Colors section. Wood grains are especially popular in the Pennsylvania region, including the Lehigh Valley.