Advantages:
- Durable
- Fits with most design plans
- Accessible
- Details make each fixture unique
Disadvantages:
- Generally only works with warm finishing tones, finishing it with a non-traditional color (ex: blue) will take away from its natural beauty.
- Darkens with age: for many, this adds to its character and beauty, but if a piece unexpectedly has to be replaced, the variations in color will be noticed.
OVERVIEW on Cherry Cabinets:
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen cabinets is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen cabinet materials and finishes. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen cabinet material and finish make sure to think through the countertop and backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinets. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant. Think of the kitchen cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes as an integrated kitchen design system, so try to avoid buying one before you get perspective and price out the materials, finishes, and installation implications for all three.
DETAILS on Cherry Cabinets:
Cherry wood is a popular choice for kitchens. It is known for its reddish-brown color and smooth grain. Not only is it naturally beautiful, it is also extremely durable and can withstand the everyday wear-and-tear of kitchens.
One of the great benefits of cherry wood is its accessibility. By using cherry wood in your kitchen, you are eliminating the hassle of searching high and low for a versatile wood that will easily match your living space.
Cherry wood's versatility is another reason for its popularity. It will work in almost any design setting, from modern and sophisticated to classic country.
Its color allows it to work with any warm-toned finish; anything from clear to deep mahogany will work beautifully. If, however, you wanted a more extreme design and plan to finish your fixtures with a cool tone, like blue, cherry wood is not your best option.
As cherry wood ages, its color starts to darken. Many people consider this one of its great qualities, but if you unexpectedly have to replace a piece of your cherry wood design, the difference in color could pose a potential problem, and the new furniture may have to be custom-designed.
GREEN Considerations:
If you are considering cherry wood to completely remodel your kitchen, do not fall into the habit of thinking everything has to be brand new. Are you simply updating your existing cherry cabinetry? Good! Can any of it be reused? Even better!
If there are variances in color due to the existing cherry being slightly aged, see if a darker finish on the new product will make the colors match. Along with saving wood and money, this gives you the opportunity to use a finish that is environmentally-friendly. A finish that does not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is your best bet. This will ensure that you maintain healthy indoor air quality.
If you decide to supply your kitchen with all-new cherry wood, make sure to use FSC-certified or reclaimed wood. A Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification guarantees that wood is grown and harvested in a sustainable manner. Many companies also use reclaimed wood, meaning they use salvaged wood to produce beautiful products.
Columbia Forest Products is the largest manufacturer of hardwood plywood in North America. They have transformed their business to supply only formaldehyde-free products, an extremely beneficial factor for the environment, as well as your home. Checking to be sure that the products you are placing in your home are manufactured and sold in eco-friendly ways is half the battle of keeping your home environmentally-friendly.
