In recent years, an array of different material choices have emerged onto the kitchen marketplace.
However, despite the addition of new material options, wood has remained a popular choice amongst consumers.
One of the key reasons for wood's enduring popularity is that as a natural material, it is extremely versatile and blends in to a variety of home settings, from rustic through to more minimalist, or contemporary.
This means that it provides longevity, which is important as a new kitchen can be a large financial investment.
Wood is also a classic choice meaning that timber kitchens appeal to a wide range of audiences.
As a result, wooden cabinetry can help add significant value to the overall property, which can prove extremely beneficial when the time comes to sell.
Timber can of course be used throughout the entire kitchen, but it can also be used to highlight specific areas and zones within the room.
For example, an island unit could be accentuated with a different type of wooden worktop or a different finish on the units.
The same timber could then also be incorporated into another zone of a kitchen/diner to create a seamless living space.
When selecting a wood type, it is important to consider its practicality within the kitchen.
All timber types are judged on two primary factors - both of which are extremely important in the kitchen.
The first factor is stability, which takes into account whether the wood will expand or contract over time.
Secondly, durability, which examines whether the wood will last over a period of time or whether it is likely to rot or decay.
Obviously it is crucial to understand these factors as warped doors, or water marks around a sink detract from both the aesthetics and usability of a kitchen.
Each type of wood presents different characteristics and unique features and benefits.
Therefore, it is crucial to understand both the practicalities of choosing one wood type over another but equally to have a clear idea about how each wood will look in the finished kitchen.
Here we discuss three of the most popular timbers - oak, walnut and American poplar (known within the industry as tulipwood); Oak has been a long-standing favourite when it comes to kitchen designs due to its durability and robust characteristics.
Largely considered one of the most resilient wood types, oak can withstand stress and weight over considerable time periods and thus makes it extremely suitable for the demands placed on any kitchen cabinet.
In addition it is largely scratch and water resistant.
In terms of appearance, oak is generally of a lighter colour and depending upon how it has been milled and sawn after felling, can be distinguished by its flame-shaped grain through annual growth rings.
When quarter sawn, it shows a distinct silver grain figure due to broad visible medullary rays which tiger stripe across the timber.
Pin knots from the remnants of the tree's branches combined with flecks and streaks can be present due to mineral deposits.
The colour variation of the natural wood is formed from the chemical reaction between the tannic acid in the timber and minerals brought up from the soil in different regions across the globe, hence bog oak is nearly black because of the reaction of the rich minerals (iron) in the soil and the tannic acid in the tree.
For this reason Davonport only uses European oak as this gives the cabinetry a consistent colour without the use for heavy staining.
Oak is porous enough to take a paint finish and can also be adapted into veneers for flat panel cabinets within a more contemporary/modern kitchen, or can be presented in a more traditional format dependent upon customer requirements.
This makes it an extremely versatile but natural choice for the kitchen, with the added appeal that oak is less expensive than other hardwoods such as maple and cherry.
Another increasingly popular hardwood choice is North American black walnut.
Characterised by its smooth and tight grain texture, the sapwood of walnut is creamy white, while the heartwood is light brown to dark rich chocolate brown, occasionally with a purplish cast and darker streaks.
The wood is generally straight grained but occasionally has a wavy or curly grain that produces an attractive and decorative effect.
Along with its warm tones, its distinctive markings make it ideal for a contemporary or classic statement kitchen.
Walnut also polishes well to provide a smooth exceptionally tactile finish.
It is favoured for use as an accent to create a contrast with lighter coloured timbers or painted cabinetry.
It holds paint and stain very well.
As with oak, walnut is recognised as a strong and stable wood, and stands up well to the tests imposed on any kitchen cabinet.
Perhaps slightly less familiar but still widely used, American poplar, or tulipwood as it has become known, is an incredibly versatile wood.
Otherwise referred to as yellow poplar, or tulip poplar, this wood is straight grained and is white in comparison to oak or walnut, with sapwood often creamy white, and heartwood ranging from a pale yellowish-brown to a green olive shade.
The wood has many desirable characteristics and is suitable for a wide variety of important uses.
The tulipwood tree resembles the shape of the European poplar, hence its name in the USA.
Tulipwood holds paint and stains extremely well and so is often the first choice of kitchen designers for clients who prefer a grain free painted finish.
Tulip is also of a lighter density than walnut or oak, however it is recognised as a hardwood and is therefore still ideal for use in the kitchen.
With such a range of timbers available for kitchen cabinetry and worktops, it is vital to discuss all of the options with a reputable kitchen designer.