Key takeaways
- Poplar is a favorite for painted trim and cabinets because it is smooth and stable.
- Oak and maple suit stained cabinets and furniture, with very different grain.
- Cedar and treated pine are the usual choices for outdoor wood.
For painted work
Poplar is a hardwood that machines cleanly and takes paint beautifully, so it is common for trim, face frames and doors. MDF is stable and smooth and is often used for flat panels and trim. Primed finger-jointed pine is a budget-friendly choice for painted trim.
Paint-grade materials hide color variation and small joints.
For stained work
Red and white oak have prominent grain and take stain well. Maple is smooth and pale and can look more modern, though it can blotch with some stains. Walnut and cherry have rich color and age beautifully but cost more.
Pick the wood by grain and color first, then stain to suit.
For outdoors
Cedar and redwood are naturally rot-resistant and stay stable. Pressure-treated pine resists decay through treatment and costs less. Ipe and other tropical hardwoods are extremely durable.
Fasteners and flashing matter as much as the board, so we use hardware rated for the wood and the weather.
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Quick answers
Is MDF a bad material?
Not at all for painted interior trim and panels, where it is stable and smooth. It is not for wet areas or exterior use.
What wood is best for kitchen cabinets?
Maple, oak and painted poplar are all common, and plywood boxes are widely preferred for durability. We help you choose.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.