| Checking |
Separation in wood or shallow cracking in paint, varnish, or lacquer. This usually happens to the exposed end grain of unprotected wood that is subjected to severe moisture or dryness. |
| Cherry |
Cherry is an elegant, multi-colored hardwood, which may contain small knots and pin holes and has a fine to medium, uniform grain. Natural or light stains accent the color variations. Cherry will darken or “mellow” with age which is a natural occurrence and a benefit of using it for your kitchen. |
| Close Grain |
Closely arranged fibers or a fine texture. Maple is considered to have a close grain. |
| Color Variation |
A natural variation of color inherent in any wood species. Soil type, mineral deposits, water levels, temperature and geographical location are all factors in the degree of variation. |
| Grain |
Natural pattern of growth in wood. The grain runs lengthwise in trees, making the strength greatest in that direction. |
| Hardwood |
Wood of broad-leaved trees such as oak, maple, ash, walnut and poplar in contrast to the soft wood of needle-leaved trees such as pine, fir, spruce and hemlock. |
| Heartwood |
Older, harder, non-living central portion of the tree which is more dense and durable than surrounding sapwood. |
| Hickory |
Hickory is a hard, open grained wood that is known for its variation in color that range from light to deep brown. These characteristics are what make each hickory kitchen unique. Darker stains can mildly tone these color variations. |
| Knotholes |
Voids produced where knots have dropped out of veneer or lumber. |
| Maple |
A strong, close grained, light colored wood. Hard maple occasionally contains light and dark mineral streaks. |
| Mineral Streak |
A discoloration in any species of wood caused by mineral deposits the tree extracts from the soil. Commonly seen as a blackish-blue streak within the grain. |
| Oak |
A durable, strong, open grained wood that is white, yellow and pink. Red oak can be streaked with green, yellow and black mineral deposits and may contain some wide grain. |
| Open Grain |
Large pores or course texture in the wood grain such as Oak. |
| Sapwood |
The younger and softer, outer portion of the tree trunk just under the bark. This living wood is paler in color and usually more susceptible to decay than the older heartwood. |
