A working reference for selecting hardwoods on custom millwork and casework — how each species behaves under finish, where it belongs, and what it costs relative to the shop's default stock.
The right species is a function of light, use, and finish — not a chip in isolation. A walnut sample on a white desk in a designer's studio reads very differently on an 11-foot library wall in Newport Coast. Before locking a species we ask three questions: what's the natural light, what's the finish system, and what's touching it (stone, plaster, metal, upholstery).
1360 Janka · $$$
Grain — Straight, linear ray fleck when quartered
Finish — Takes stain evenly; stunning under fumed, cerused, or natural oil finishes
Where — Contemporary kitchens, paneling, feature walls. The default premium spec in Orange County right now.
1010 Janka · $$$$
Grain — Rich chocolate heartwood with occasional sap streaks; straight to wavy
Finish — Finishes to a warm depth with clear oil; avoid heavy stains
Where — Libraries, primary baths, statement casework, dining millwork.
1450 Janka · $$
Grain — Tight, uniform, nearly grainless
Finish — Prone to blotching under stain — best painted or clear-coated
Where — Painted casework, sculleries, closets, commercial work where uniformity matters.
950 Janka · $$$
Grain — Fine, closed grain; ambers dramatically with UV
Finish — Beautiful under clear finish; color deepens for 6–12 months on install
Where — Traditional libraries, transitional kitchens, heirloom furniture-grade casework.
1320 Janka · $$$
Grain — Long, straight, open pore — reads similar to white oak but lighter
Finish — Excellent for cerused, limed, and bleached finishes
Where — Modern cabinetry, ceiling planks, wall paneling with a lighter palette.
1410 Janka · $$$
Grain — Interlocked ribbon figure; reddish brown deepening with age
Finish — Rich under oil or shellac; excellent stability for tall doors
Where — Exterior-grade millwork, entry doors, yacht-style interiors.
Cost tier is relative to the shop's default (paint-grade poplar/maple = $). Actual pricing depends on cut, grade, and current market.
Maple fights stain. Cherry doesn't need it. White oak takes almost anything. Specify the finish system before locking the species — the pairing determines the outcome more than either choice alone.
Rift, quartered, and plain-sawn white oak look like three different woods. On architectural millwork we default to rift-and-quartered for linear grain and dimensional stability, especially on tall vertical panels.
Hardwoods move seasonally with humidity. In coastal Orange County we allow tighter reveals than in inland projects, and we detail expansion joints on any solid-panel run over 24 inches wide.
Domestic white oak, walnut, cherry, maple, and ash are all sustainably harvested in North America. FSC-certified stock is available on request for LEED and WELL project targets.
Choosing for a project?
We'll pull samples for your set.