When choosing the perfect wood for your cabinets, hickory and oak often come up as two standout options. In this blog, we’ll explore the differences between hickory cabinets and oak cabinets, including their distinct grain patterns, durability, moisture resistance, and finish options.
Whether you’re aiming for a rustic charm or a more classic aesthetic, understanding the characteristics of these two popular woods can help you make the best choice for your home.
About Hickory Cabinets
Hickory kitchen cabinets are known for their distinctive grain patterns, often featuring a dramatic mix of light and dark streaks. This creates a lot of natural variation in the way hickory cabinets can look. These variations in color give hickory a unique, rustic appeal that will add character and country charm to any kitchen.
Hickory Cabinets Image from cabinetdiy.com
Beyond its aesthetic qualities, hickory is also one of the hardest domestic woods, in fact it is 41% harder than the traditional Red Oak.
This makes it highly resistant to wear and tear. This toughness makes hickory cabinets a great choice for high-traffic kitchens.
About Oak Cabinets
Red and white species of oak are durable hardwoods that resist moisture and are great choices for kitchen cabinets.
White and red oak both feature open pores in their grain pattern, a distinctive characteristic of oak wood cabinets. The arching rings, unique to this species, are particularly appealing to those that love oak and is perfect for traditional kitchen design.
Rift cut white oak will have straight or mildly curved uniform grain on the top and bottom and parallel grain on the two edges. This is preferred for modern and contemporary kitchen styles and is more subtle in appearance than red oak.
Red Oak Island Cabinets from Decor Cabinets
Hickory Cabinets vs Oak Cabinets
Here’s a look at the advantages and disadvantages of hickory cabinets. Hopefully, this will help you decide whether oak or hickory is the better choice for you!
Pros and Cons of Hickory Cabinets
Pros of Hickory:
- Exceptional durability
- Unique appearance
- Rustic country style
Cons of Hickory:
- Susceptible to humidity
- Appearance is variable
- Expensive
- Darkens over time
Hickory Kitchen Cabinets Image from curtislumber.com
Pros and Cons of Oak Cabinets
Pros of oak cabinets:
- Durable
- Consistent appearance
- Moisture resistant
- Versatility in style
White Rift Cut Oak from Decor Cabinets
Cons of oak cabinets:
- Distinctive open grain
- Red oak darkens and warms over time
Which is better?
Both woods are durable and beautiful, but oak is the more classic and popular choice for kitchen cabinets. While hickory is a great option, if we were to recommend one, oak would be our pick.
Are hickory cabinets a good idea?
Hickory is a good idea for kitchen cabinets if you love rustic style and you space doesn’t experience much humidity. This durable hardwood has a beautiful country charm and is sure to last you a long time.
