Guide to Cabinet Door Materials from Timberlake Cabinets / 1951 Cabinetry

Choosing the right cabinet door material is one of the most important decisions in any home remodel. Whether you’re updating your kitchen, laundry room, mudroom, or pantry, the door material you select will define the look, feel, and long-term durability of your space.

This guide, based on the expert offerings from Timberlake Cabinets / 1951 Cabinetry, breaks down the most popular door materials: Cherry, Maple, Painted, Duraform, Hardwood, and Thermofoil. From rich hardwoods to modern engineered finishes, you’ll learn how each option performs, what makes it unique, and which projects it fits best.

Let’s dive in!

🌳 1. Cherry - Rich, Elegant, and Timeless

Cherry wood is one of the most desirable options for luxury cabinetry, and for good reason. This closed-grain hardwood boasts rich character, including curly grain patterns, pin knots, and dramatic color variations from creamy white to deep reddish-brown. Over time, cherry darkens naturally, becoming warmer and deeper—a beautiful aging process that makes each door unique, giving it a natural, handcrafted feel.

• Durability: High

• Ages beautifully – darkens into a warm, luxurious tone

• Closed grain makes it smooth to the touch

• Perfect for: Elegant, traditional, or transitional and warm, inviting spaces

  
  

Aging and darkening of cherry door panel

🍁 2. Maple - Durable, Versatile, and Clean

Maple is a crowd favorite for its smooth, fine grain and strength. A very hard wood with a subtle, creamy hue, maple provides a clean, uniform look with the occasional bird’s-eye or burl figure. Its ability to take both stain and paint well makes it versatile across many styles.

• Durability: Very High

• Subtle, uniform appearance

• Natural color variation is common—even between panels cut from the same tree.

• Perfect for: Busy kitchens, contemporary, sleek and transitional design, or family-friendly spaces

  
  

🎨 3. Painted - Modern, Smooth and Color-Ready

Painted cabinet doors from Timberlake / 1951 are crafted with a combination of hardwood and engineered materials including solid wood, medium density fiberboard (MDF), high density fiberboard (HDF), resulting in stability and minimal grain visibility. Painted finishes provides a smooth, opaque finish and offer sleek color options like white, gray, and navy. Occasionally, joint lines may appear over time due to wood's natural expansion and contraction, but these do not impact the door’s strength or functionality.

• Durability: Medium to High

• Perfect for trendy colors

• Smooth, consistent surface

• Minimal graining for a clean look

• Perfect for: Modern farmhouse, minimalist, or coastal-inspired designs

🔒 4. Duraform - Engineered for Consistency & Strength

Duraform is a high-tech material made by bonding foils or coatings to MDF or HDF cores. The result? A durable, low-maintenance finish with a consistent texture that resists warping, cracking, and fading. Duraform is ideal for Florida and Texas homes where heat and humidity are a constant concern.

• Durability: Very High

• Incredibly stable and consistent

• Won’t shrink or expand like wood

• Available in both solid colors and wood-look textures

• Prefect for: Rental homes, utility areas, humid climates, or homes with kids and pets

🌲 5. Hardwood - Natural Beauty, Built to Last

Hardwood is a broad category used by Timberlake / 1951 to include species like “maple, oak, birch, cherry, hickory, poplar, or ash species, each chosen for their natural strength, rich character, and enduring appeal”. These are natural woods with unique grain patterns, textures, and color variations—perfect for those who want character and warmth. Hardwood cabinetry is an investment in quality and style that lasts for generations.

• Durability: High

• Variety of colors and grain styles

• Authentic and high-end feel

• Naturally strong and durable

• Perfect for: Homes that love the warmth and authenticity of real wood

Compare them by yourself

To help you feel even more confident about choosing the ideal material for your project, we have prepared this comparison table for you:

Material	Durability	Grain Visibility	Aging/Color Change	Moisture Resistance	Best For
🌳Cherry	High	Medium-High	Yes (darkens)	Medium	Elegant, traditional kitchens
🍁Maple	Very High	Low-Medium	No	Medium	Busy kitchens, clean designs
🎨Painted	Medium	Low	No (but joint lines may appear)	Medium	Modern & minimalist styles
🔒Duraform	Very High	Varies (Low–High)	No	High	Humid areas, rentals
🌲Hardwood	High	High	Varies by species	Medium	High-end, natural wood lovers

Which Material Is Right for You?

• Want something that ages beautifully and looks luxe? Go for Cherry.

• Need something bulletproof for a busy household? Try Maple or Duraform.

• Love a sleek, modern look with color options? Painted might be your best bet.

• Looking for an affordable upgrade in a rental or laundry room? Duraform wins again.

Ready to Choose?

At Smart Choice Cabinets, we help homeowners and contractors make confident, informed decisions. Whether you’re planning a full remodel or a SMART-SWAP, our team can guide you to the perfect door material for your style, needs, and budget.

Request a Quick Quote today or Contact Us to get started with a Timberlake / 1951 Cabinetry expert.