Slab wood finish help

7 years ago

I'm looking through all the modern kitchens with light wood on Houzz and none of them seem to say what the wood species, finish or if they are thermofoil. I'm betting they are mostly thermofoil that I am seeing. Is there something I can click on to get the details? I did click into one designers site and saw multiple photos of the kitchen but no one puts details. The blurb by Houzz is saying "light wood" on all the photos.

I am doing slab and my cab guy made a sample with maple veneer in a clear coat but it's not quite right (I did show him a photo but it needs to be more champagne or light caramel color). He does have a thermofoil that is almost exactly right and that's why I'm starting to think that most of the kitchen photos I'm seeing are done in thermofoil.

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Comments (9)

Fori
7 years ago
Tell him to make you a sample the same color as the thermofoil if that's what you like. :) If it's being stained, he might suggest a different wood--maple can be tricky to stain with a lot of color.
Stan B
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Rift sawn white oak and walnut veneer seem more common than maple for modern slab cabinets. I've seen both melamine and thermafoil in builder models and kitchen designer showrooms recently .
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nicolenovember288
7 years ago
Walnut has a natural linear pattern (not as perfect as thermofoil though). I'm sure you're seeing thermofoil cabinets.
lisadlu16
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for all the comments! I think I'm seeing mostly thermofoil on the modern cabinet photos too. I think I'm going to take a look at the whole selection of thermofoil before making any decisions. I've been reading the threads on veneer edge banding which has gotten me concerned. I know thermofoil has it's issues but I think it will be more durable than veneer (especially the edges) and I'll be sure to get the look. I wish I wanted a shaker door then I would just go solid wood like in my last kitchen. Thanks again!!
homepro01
7 years ago
Most contemporary modern doors on cabinets are veneer, thermofoil, laminate or lacquer. Is there a particular manufacturers kitchens that you have seen? I agree that maple is not a common choice for modern cabinets.

An example of veneers from Buildllc

Contemporary door materials from Valcucine

If you can show some examples of what you like, others may chime in with what the material is. Did you show some of the pictures to the cabinet builder? If so, what was his take on the materials used?

Good luck!
lisadlu16
Original Author
7 years ago
homepro01 - I clicked into Buildllc and the photo of the kitchen under palette 4 is the look I'm going for. Do you know what type wood/finish that is? Thanks!
Fori
7 years ago
Even if you have to go solid wood with battens in the back to prevent warping, it would look better than thermofoil or laminate fake wood. Okay, I'm a wood snob, but fake wood looks bad. At least get wood veneer. It's a good look.

Unless you like the way the interior of a travel trailer looks...
lisadlu16
Original Author
7 years ago
After poring over tons of Houzz photos I have discovered it is the modern rift cut look I like in light wood. Most of the ones I'm seeing are white oak or oak, but I have seen some maple too. I guess I originally was looking at maple because that's what I thought was the less grainy and more mid-century wood that was in all the kitchens. Going to my cabinet maker on Friday armed with lots more photos.

Does anyone know if you always see edge seams with veneer or can the veneer be wrapped around the door? What makes a quality edge if not using wood edgeband? Thanks!
Fori
7 years ago
Rift cut oak is gorgeous. How did you like the edge banding on the sample your cabinet guy got you? He probably has even more veneered samples in the shop to show you. Now that you know what you want you're able to ask all the right questions.

Slab wood finish help

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Slab wood finish help

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