Like other natural materials, wood grain patterns and color tones vary greatly from one species to another and they also vary within their own specie. Because of this variation we have prepared the following guidelines to assist you in selecting the most appropriate specie and grade for your application.
Alder,
Regular		 Front has some color variation with small limited pencil size marks/knots, up to dime size sound knots on back.
Alder,
Select		 Front and back are color consistent with small pin knots
Alder,
Knotty		 Front has some color variation with up to 2” diameter open knots allowable. Filler is acceptable on back. No open knots allowed on edges.
Ash,
Regular		 The color tones of Ash consist of a wide range of cream to light brown with some dark streaks. Bur and pin knots are acceptable. Ash is not selected for color. Panel rips are arranged to form a reasonable blend of grain matching and wood color tones.
Ash,
Select		 Same as Regular Ash except medium dark brown areas are not acceptable. Select is recommended for light stains or natural finish.
Birch,
Regular		 A mixture of sapwood and heartwood, and is suitable for dark stain and painted finishes.
Cherry,
Regular		 Cherry may contain some sapwood (white wood from the outer section of the log). Grain and color are matched to form a reasonable blend. Exposure to light causes Cherry to darken with age, revealing a deep reddish brown tone. Gum pockets are a natural characteristic of Cherry.
Hickory,
Regular		 Unlike most other wood species, Hickory has a unique grain pattern and variety of color tones. Regular Hickory has some knots and lots of character and is not selected for color.
Hickory,
Select		 Select Hickory is selected for color and has no knots (pin knots are acceptable) and it is still unique with lots of character.
Maple,
Regular Hard		 Maple is a light brown to creamy tan wood with a suitable grain pattern and is suitable for natural finishes as well as light to dark stains. Some mineral is acceptable.
Maple,
Select Hard 		Same as Regular Hard Maple except reddish brown heartwood or mineral is not acceptable. Select White Maple is recommended for light stain or natural finishes.
Maple,
Soft		 Soft Maple ranges from creamy white to brown to gray color tones and is used mostly for drawers and paint grade doors. Color is not selected.
Pine,
Clear		 A completely clear grade of Pine with no knots. Blue stain is not acceptable.
Pine,
Knotty		 Knotty Pine has tight knots and is suitable for rustic style cabinetry. Filled or loose knots and blue stain is not acceptable.
Poplar A soft hardwood with a pale yellowish to white color with some green and brown mineral. Not selected for color and is typically used as paint grade.
Red Oak, Regular Red Oak is not selected for color. Defects such as knots and splits are removed. Character such as burl and pin knots is acceptable. Mineral is in the range of 1/8” wide X 5” long is acceptable. Panel rips are arranged to form a reasonable blend of grain matching and color tones.
Red Oak,
Select		 Dark and medium dark color tones and mineral are not used. Burl and pin knots are acceptable. Select Red Oak is recommended for light stain and natural finishes.
Walnut,
Regular		 Regular Walnut may have up to 15% sapwood. Burl and pin knots are not acceptable.
Walnut,
Select		 Sapwood is not acceptable on face of the door.
White Oak, Regular Regular White Oak has a tight open grain with light brown to greenish gray color tones and is not selected for color. Burl and pin knots are acceptable. Panel rips are arranged to form a reasonable blend of grain matching and color tones.
White Oak, Select Clear and selected for good color consistency.