Will White Oak Cabinets Turn Yellow?

White oak is an extremely high-end material for cabinets. Many people value its durability, but since some types of wood turn yellow when stored for a long time, many are worried that kitchen cabinets made of white oak will also yellow over time. In fact, after special treatment, white oak cabinets will not turn yellow even with long-term use. As long as the white oak is not exposed to the air, the yellowing phenomenon can be avoided.

Why Do White Oak Cabinets Turn Yellow?

Unlike red oak (which also belongs to the oak genus), white oak has a tighter grain, is water-resistant, and features a light color tone that creates a warm atmosphere. For these reasons, it is often chosen as the base material for custom kitchen cabinets. However, due to its light color, white oak cabinets are prone to yellowing if not properly maintained. Below are the common causes:

1. Ultraviolet (UV) Rays

Exposure to sunlight easily yellows light-colored wood. This is because UV rays gradually break down the lignin and pigments in white oak, causing the wood to lose its original cool tone and turn yellow instead. Therefore, if the cabinets are placed too close to windows without protection from sunlight, they will yellow over time. You can clearly notice that the areas exposed to sunlight are yellower than other parts.

2. Low-Quality or Aging Coatings

The surface of oak-framed cabinets is coated with a layer that acts as protection against yellowing. However, not all coatings can provide long-term protection for white oak. Low-quality, inexpensive coatings tend to fade over time, leaving the underlying wood vulnerable to yellowing. Additionally, aging coatings may develop scratches, exposing the white oak directly to stains and other factors that cause discoloration.

3. High Temperatures

Cabinets near stovetops, ovens, or dishwashers may have their coatings softened and aged by high temperatures, making the white oak more susceptible to color changes. Avoiding this situation can be somewhat challenging. However, if you are willing to repaint the white oak cabinets periodically, you can prevent this from happening.

As a Vietnamese cabinet manufacturer, Union Woods produces white oak kitchen cabinets of exceptional quality. We adhere to strict standards both in terms of materials and surface treatment technology, prioritizing top-tier materials and professional-grade coatings to ensure maximum durability. Therefore, as long as you choose the white oak kitchen cabinets supplied by us and take proper measures to protect them from direct sunlight and moisture, your white oak cabinets will not turn yellow.