The Beauty of Using Rift Sawn White Oak for DIY Fridge Panels

The Beauty of Rift Sawn White Oak Plywood

Rift sawn white oak plywood has become an increasingly popular choice for DIYers and home improvement enthusiasts. With its distinctive linear grain patterns and light brown coloring, this type of plywood adds a touch of warmth and visual interest to any space. For fridge surrounds and panels, rift sawn white oak plywood is an excellent option that pairs beautifully with stainless steel and other kitchen finishes.

What is Rift Sawn White Oak?

White oak is a durable North American hardwood that is widely available and versatile enough for many applications. Rift sawing is a process that cuts white oak logs radially, yielding boards with a straight grain appearance that highlights the wood's natural highlights and figures.

The riftsaw cutting technique results in white oak boards with a prominent linear grain, moderate ray fleck, and consistent coloration devoid of wild growth ring patterns. This lends rift sawn white oak distinctive aesthetic properties that make it suitable for softer contemporary design styles.

Benefits of Using Rift Sawn White Oak Plywood

There are many great reasons to choose rift sawn white oak plywood for your next DIY kitchen project:

• Attractive linear wood grain patterns
• Consistent light brown coloring
• Durable plywood construction
• Stains well for customized looks
• Sustainable and renewable wood source

The prominent straight wood grain of rift sawn oak plywood provides a clean, contemporary look. Unlike more chaotic wood grains, the parallel lines make for an orderly, refined appearance.

Crafting Beautiful DIY Fridge Panels

Installing custom plywood panels is a great way to integrate your refrigerator seamlessly into your kitchen's cabinetry design. With the right techniques and materials, you can create built-in fridge surrounds that look professionally installed.

How to Make Refrigerator Panels

Follow these key steps for flawless DIY refrigerator panels every time:

1. Measure carefully to cut plywood pieces to size
2. Create supports and frames for sturdiness
3. Attach panels securely using glue and screws
4. Fill holes and openings prior to painting/staining
5. Apply your preferred paint or stain finish
6. Attach handles and hardware
7. Slide completed panels over fridge cabinet

Using 3⁄4” thickness rift sawn white oak ensures your panels will have the heft needed to attach handles and make a seamless fridge surround. Pre-drill holes for screws to prevent cracking or splintering of the wood.

Choosing Complementary Fridge Panel Hardware

Once your refrigerator panels are constructed, turning your attention to suitable hardware and finishes will enable you to take the project to the next level. Here are some great options to consider:

• Stainless steel handles
• Black or bronze pulls
• Exposed hinges
• Hidden cabinet latches
• Matching wood knobs
• Modern bar handles

Be sure to fully stain, seal, and protect your panels before attaching any hardware. The choices are endless when it comes to finding the perfect finishing touches!

Alternatives to Rift Sawn White Oak

While rift sawn white oak is a top choice, it’s not the only material suitable for refrigerator surrounds. Some other options include:

Maple Plywood

Maple plywood provides an ultra-smooth surface perfect for modern designs. Stains also take well for customizable coloring.

Cherry Plywood

For a vibrant red tone, cherry plywood never fails to impress. Its distinctive grain patterns also add visual intrigue.

Knotty Pine Plywood

On trend and budget-friendly, knotty pine offers a rustic, country-chic look. Its pronounced wood knots have tons of character.

Birch Plywood

With good stability and an even texture, birch plywood Panels have a clean, contemporary aesthetic.

No matter what material you select, following fundamental carpentry best practices makes cabinet-grade results achievable for any DIYer. With the right plywood, hardware, and finishes, it’s simple to create custom refrigerator surrounds that look like they cost thousands!

FAQs

Where is the best place to buy rift sawn white oak plywood?

The best sources for quality rift sawn oak plywood panels are hardwood suppliers, lumber yards, and specialized woodworking stores. Big box home improvement retailers may carry it as a special order item.

What tools do I need to work with oak plywood?

You'll need standard DIY woodworking tools like a circular saw, jigsaw, drill, wood glue, clamps, sandpaper, wood filler, safety gear, and preferred paint/stain supplies. A table saw also helps tremendously for precise cuts.

What's the best way to get clean cuts in plywood?

Use a circular saw guided by a straightedge secured clamp to get straight cuts. For curves and openings, a jigsaw is ideal. Make all cuts 1/8" larger initially, then trim to your final sizing for flawless edges.

How thick should my DIY fridge panels be?

3⁄4” plywood is best for sturdy panels that won't warp over time. Thinner wood is prone to damage when handles and hardware get attached. 1⁄2” can work for some designs but may lack long term durability.

What finish should I use on white oak plywood panels?

A clear polyurethane is ideal for protecting while accentuating oak's natural grain patterns. Stains in lighter shades of brown also help maintain the wood's blond tones. Painted finishes work too but obscure the distinctive wood.