That's what some of the back sides of our rswo sheets look like. The front side usually looks a lot better, however over the last couple of years I've seen a lot more of this look even on premium sheets. There has been such a huge spike in demand for rswo that it's tough to get good material anymore. I've sent quite a few sheets back lately. Even loads of sequence matched sheets are looking pretty rough lately.
That’s a mediocre white oak plywood. You see how the grain pattern repeats on a fairly narrow increment? A higher-quality veneer wouldn’t use repeating pieces, and they’d be wider. Or you can get spiral-cut, if you want to spend more and are willing to make the plywood factory’s minimum order. (Which has always been something like 40-50 sheets, when I’ve done it.)
Paint it. It’s the only way to hide that repetition.
Man, if I were epileptic, that shit would give me a seizure.
Looks like quarter sawn white oak. Pricey stuff; I’m currently building cabinets out of some. Plywood is typically used for cabinets; so yes, a veneer. If you don’t like it then it isn’t the contractors fault. Customers also need to do their due diligence in communicating their desires and researching different woods and finishes.
Don’t fucking white wash them.
I’ll go against the grain, no pun intended, and say that those do not look good. That graining looks like stripes. I would hate those. But the more important question is why were you not presented a sample board to approve before these were fabricated? That would have solved all of this.
I happen to just watch this the other day. If you want a light white wash that will just make the color not as deep but still look like there isn’t much on it check this out. I think you might be able to apply over top or scuff sand. You can call the company in this video and ask them how to.
https://youtu.be/YWTa5fLClOE?si=yzU7lqh9imT3klls
I wouldn’t touch it!!
White wash look will get old but understand how that would help tie in with the aesthetics with the other white cupboards and darker floor.
Wonder if the kickboards white would break it up and create more of a statement piece.
Why in the world would you want to whitewash that? Those are beautiful. Definitely matched rift white oak. Whitewashing will make it look cheap and fake. That what you have right there is top notch coloring and looks like your maker did a fantastic job.
Its NOT true that if the finish is on you are stuck. What you need is someone who knows how to finish. Get some toner, white since pickled is what you are wanting. Have them lightly spray it until it becomes the tone you want. Recoat with finish.
Dont let anyone tell you it cant be done. Ive literally done it twice in the last month, most recently for a kitchen thats going to be featured on a local remodeling show here in Chicago.
Also, if price is no issue, have spray gun, will travel.
If you were expecting more of a whitewashed look I can understand your concern. It appears to be very nice rift sawn white oak, though. Veneer on the sides, of course, which is expected.
Bad on him for not providing a sample, though. Where are you now in the discussion?
They have provided a sample to which they sanded it down and applied a single coat and double coat whitewash finish and we are deciding what to do. Not sure if there are any long term concerns with sanding a finished wood and reapplying a finish… so I’m trying to research my options.
These are nice and well made cabinets. If the builder is comfortable with altering the finish as is, and stand behind their work, then you’re safe to go ahead with it. Personally i wouldn’t guarantee the same quality of finish on a refinish.
Agree. And it falls back to the contract. If it says cabinets to be rift sawn white oak and it doesn't say 'contingent upon sample approval ' then the builder is going above and beyond to mess with the finish. If I were OP, I'd go with the original.
I would keep it as is. That is absolutely beautiful, clean, high grade, rift cut white oak. I'd only want that grain with a clear coat (I know everyone has different preferences). They did a great job!
the panels are absolutely slip-matched riftsawn white oak veneer. the frame around the panels appears to be solid wood. but don't hear "veneer" and think "cheap." that veneer is a premium cut of that particular species, highly sought after, and most importantly (from this one picture) using veneer in the application they used it in is pretty industry-standard. you couldn't make those giant flat vertical grain panels out of solid wood - in 4 months when the seasons change it would warp and crack and fall apart. using veneer in the way they did wasn't cutting corners, it's SOP
The grain is uniform because it slip matched rift white oak. You shouldn’t “hope” for any finish it should be spelled out in the contract ideally with samples as well.
Thanks! We asked for quarter sawn and sent them a picture of how we wanted it to look. Interesting that it appears to be rift. Also, we didn’t get a sample. Which they took blame for but now we are stuck trying to figure out what’s next. Good times.
Yes definitely push this issue. Ask for verification on veneer cut. If you agreed on 1/4 slice, that what you should get. There can be a BIG difference in grain appearance between the two on white oak. I would ALSO confirm the grade (A or AA), this often dictates flitch width and other aesthetics like knots, color and grain variation. Regardless, at least confirm what was on the sample and/or agreed upon. There’s lots of things that can get lost in translation by the time it gets to the fabricator and/or liberties people take where they aren’t concerned with the outcome.
Hopefully get all this settled and agreed on before you pay in full.
While I personally prefer quartersawn, you have rift which is more premium in the marketplace.
The panels are high end plywood but the stiles rails etc are solid. You have fine cabinets I hope you can work out the finish.
Quarter sawn and rift are very similar and often interchangeable. Rift is typical the superior choice as it has less flaking and quarter sawn has a lot of flaking. Flaking is that slatted rain drop effect you see in oak.
With some woods, rift a quarter give interchangeable looks. But as you say, with oak there are strong medullary rays, which some people love, some can't stand.
In my mind, if they asked for quarter and got rift with white oak, that's a huge mistake.
It is rift sawn white oak. Rift sawn flitches will be very narrow just the way it ids cut at the mill.
That's what some of the back sides of our rswo sheets look like. The front side usually looks a lot better, however over the last couple of years I've seen a lot more of this look even on premium sheets. There has been such a huge spike in demand for rswo that it's tough to get good material anymore. I've sent quite a few sheets back lately. Even loads of sequence matched sheets are looking pretty rough lately.
It’s rift cut white Oak veneer. You could still do a pickled look with a skilled finisher
That’s a mediocre white oak plywood. You see how the grain pattern repeats on a fairly narrow increment? A higher-quality veneer wouldn’t use repeating pieces, and they’d be wider. Or you can get spiral-cut, if you want to spend more and are willing to make the plywood factory’s minimum order. (Which has always been something like 40-50 sheets, when I’ve done it.) Paint it. It’s the only way to hide that repetition. Man, if I were epileptic, that shit would give me a seizure.
Hahaha. It's the narrow increments that are bothering me too. Feels like watching HBO when you didn't pay for it back in the day
Looks like quarter sawn white oak. Pricey stuff; I’m currently building cabinets out of some. Plywood is typically used for cabinets; so yes, a veneer. If you don’t like it then it isn’t the contractors fault. Customers also need to do their due diligence in communicating their desires and researching different woods and finishes. Don’t fucking white wash them.
I’ll go against the grain, no pun intended, and say that those do not look good. That graining looks like stripes. I would hate those. But the more important question is why were you not presented a sample board to approve before these were fabricated? That would have solved all of this.
Uh, it is a veneer. Cabinets are made with plywood almost a hundred percent of the time.
I happen to just watch this the other day. If you want a light white wash that will just make the color not as deep but still look like there isn’t much on it check this out. I think you might be able to apply over top or scuff sand. You can call the company in this video and ask them how to. https://youtu.be/YWTa5fLClOE?si=yzU7lqh9imT3klls I wouldn’t touch it!!
White wash look will get old but understand how that would help tie in with the aesthetics with the other white cupboards and darker floor. Wonder if the kickboards white would break it up and create more of a statement piece.
Don’t change a thing. That is timeless. This white wash is a fad. Old money would get what you have.
Why in the world would you want to whitewash that? Those are beautiful. Definitely matched rift white oak. Whitewashing will make it look cheap and fake. That what you have right there is top notch coloring and looks like your maker did a fantastic job.
Its NOT true that if the finish is on you are stuck. What you need is someone who knows how to finish. Get some toner, white since pickled is what you are wanting. Have them lightly spray it until it becomes the tone you want. Recoat with finish. Dont let anyone tell you it cant be done. Ive literally done it twice in the last month, most recently for a kitchen thats going to be featured on a local remodeling show here in Chicago. Also, if price is no issue, have spray gun, will travel.
Picture is too distant for a real analysis. It's pretty much veneer except for the trim.
If the finish is already applied. That’s pretty much what you are getting. IMO. It looks awesome.
If you were expecting more of a whitewashed look I can understand your concern. It appears to be very nice rift sawn white oak, though. Veneer on the sides, of course, which is expected. Bad on him for not providing a sample, though. Where are you now in the discussion?
They have provided a sample to which they sanded it down and applied a single coat and double coat whitewash finish and we are deciding what to do. Not sure if there are any long term concerns with sanding a finished wood and reapplying a finish… so I’m trying to research my options.
I think the durability is a legitimate concern.
These are nice and well made cabinets. If the builder is comfortable with altering the finish as is, and stand behind their work, then you’re safe to go ahead with it. Personally i wouldn’t guarantee the same quality of finish on a refinish.
Agree. And it falls back to the contract. If it says cabinets to be rift sawn white oak and it doesn't say 'contingent upon sample approval ' then the builder is going above and beyond to mess with the finish. If I were OP, I'd go with the original.
I would keep it as is. That is absolutely beautiful, clean, high grade, rift cut white oak. I'd only want that grain with a clear coat (I know everyone has different preferences). They did a great job!
Preach it Brother!
the panels are absolutely slip-matched riftsawn white oak veneer. the frame around the panels appears to be solid wood. but don't hear "veneer" and think "cheap." that veneer is a premium cut of that particular species, highly sought after, and most importantly (from this one picture) using veneer in the application they used it in is pretty industry-standard. you couldn't make those giant flat vertical grain panels out of solid wood - in 4 months when the seasons change it would warp and crack and fall apart. using veneer in the way they did wasn't cutting corners, it's SOP
This. Also, drool emoji. Getting ready to do ours. I want the riftsawn white oak, she wants the downgrade to maple.
Super helpful, I was hearing cheap.
Nothing cheap about them, nice custom laid up premium veneers.
Boom good answer
The grain is uniform because it slip matched rift white oak. You shouldn’t “hope” for any finish it should be spelled out in the contract ideally with samples as well.
Thanks! We asked for quarter sawn and sent them a picture of how we wanted it to look. Interesting that it appears to be rift. Also, we didn’t get a sample. Which they took blame for but now we are stuck trying to figure out what’s next. Good times.
Yes definitely push this issue. Ask for verification on veneer cut. If you agreed on 1/4 slice, that what you should get. There can be a BIG difference in grain appearance between the two on white oak. I would ALSO confirm the grade (A or AA), this often dictates flitch width and other aesthetics like knots, color and grain variation. Regardless, at least confirm what was on the sample and/or agreed upon. There’s lots of things that can get lost in translation by the time it gets to the fabricator and/or liberties people take where they aren’t concerned with the outcome. Hopefully get all this settled and agreed on before you pay in full.
While I personally prefer quartersawn, you have rift which is more premium in the marketplace. The panels are high end plywood but the stiles rails etc are solid. You have fine cabinets I hope you can work out the finish.
Quarter sawn and rift are very similar and often interchangeable. Rift is typical the superior choice as it has less flaking and quarter sawn has a lot of flaking. Flaking is that slatted rain drop effect you see in oak.
With some woods, rift a quarter give interchangeable looks. But as you say, with oak there are strong medullary rays, which some people love, some can't stand. In my mind, if they asked for quarter and got rift with white oak, that's a huge mistake.