Wondering what wood to select for your cabinets? There are many options. Here are some details of the many species.

Oak --  a mainstay of cabinet design, but not as popular today as maple and cherry. It has visible grains running through it. Red oak -- has red tones, while white oak actually has a gray color

Maple  -- a white wood with a tighter grain than oak.

It comes in a natural or blond finish, though the blond isn’t used as often as the natural. It also comes in a pinkish tone that can be difficult to match with floors and countertops.

Maple includes some black marks, which are a natural part of the wood. In some cases you don't notice them. If you see a large streak on a cabinet door, ask the manufacturer to replace the door.

Pine -- has a yellow tone and many knots, making it suitable for an informal, country style kitchen. Pine also is used to make a cottage finish.

Cherry  -- a red wood that has a rich look. It is used with a light or a dark stain and typically is the most expensive wood.

Hickory  -- similar in color to oak, but has a finer grain and more gold tones in it. Its coloring is in between that of oak and cherry.

Ash  -- is similar to oak, but has a whiter color and a grain that is not as open.