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Red Elm for Kitchen Cabinet Doors 
Question
Forum Responses
From contributor C: I agree that elm is not that subdued in grain, but more subdued than oaks, ash, and hickory. It has a very interesting zig-zag pattern in it when you look close. I don't think splitting is more of a problem in this species. Maybe someone didn't pre-dry it well, or as stated above, it may have had shake, but can't most or all hardwoods exhibit shake? In fact, as far as splitting goes, it doesn't split easily. It was disdained for firewood early on when only axes were used because it was so hard to split. The grain has some sort of cross-linking and fibers can hold on to each other tenaciously. For a more subdued grain, I'd look at maple. Soft maple is well priced now, but so is elm. From contributor S: I agree, for a subdued grain I'd go with maple. But I did one job for a client with similar requests and I did it in oak. I was selective on board choice, avoided any reds or knots, and finished it with "pickled oak", sort of a whitish tone. They loved it! From contributor J: Use it, it’s beautiful. Keep it out of the mulcher. I wish there was more of a market for it. I've done a few jobs in it and had no problems with the material. It does drink the finish though. From contributor R: Sorry, don't mean to distract, but I've never heard the term "shake". What does that mean? From contributor C: Wind shake, ring shake: a defect along the growth rings that looks like splits, but it follows the rings. Caused by physical stress while growing (wind), that breaks the bonds between growth rings. It ruins the wood for most purposes if it is present. Most mills will spot it and not process it further, but some minor shake can get through. If you see the wood come apart at the rings, it's shake. From contributor G: Here's a photo of red elm cabinetry in our home.  Click here for higher quality, full size image The laundry room.  Click here for higher quality, full size image From contributor L: For "subdued grain" rift sawn in most any wood is relatively subdued. I wouldn't say plain sawn red elm is subdued. I've used it, what I got tended to be narrower and shorter than most other lumber. Its light weight and kind of soft. It's easier to work than the other elms.
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