Maple, Cherry or Maple & Birch?
Pale maple, warm cherry and varied maple-and-birch patterns each bring their own look to the counter. See how the wood and construction work together.
Once the size and weight suit your kitchen, let the wood’s colour and grain help you choose.
Start with the size and construction
Choosing a wood also means choosing a format in the MAISON RODIN collection. The maple edge-grain block measures 20 × 16 × 1½ inches. The cherry and maple-and-birch end-grain blocks measure 18 × 16 × 1¾ inches.
Check which footprint and height suit your counter, then look at the grain. Maple’s long strips create a quieter pattern, while the smaller pieces of an end-grain block bring more variation across the surface.
Maple: a lighter starting point
Pale maple pairs easily with many kitchen materials. The long strips in the edge-grain block give it a simple, understated pattern.
Daily use adds marks and character. When the clean, dry wood needs oil, conditioning can also bring out its colour and grain.
Cherry: warmth with natural variation
Cherry brings warmer tones to the counter. The individual pieces vary in colour, so each end-grain block has its own pattern.
Cherry can deepen in colour as it ages. Choose a tone you like now, knowing it will continue to change naturally.
Maple and birch: a more varied surface
The mixed end-grain block brings maple and birch together in one surface. Its interest comes from the arrangement and natural differences between pieces. It may look more active beside a strongly patterned countertop than it does against a plain one.
Compare close-up and whole-board photographs. A detail you love at screen size might look different in your kitchen. There is no need to match the board exactly to your cabinets. Consider whether the combination feels comfortable in the place where it will actually live.
Maple edge grain · 20″ × 16″
Cherry end grain · 18″ × 16″
Maple and birch end grain · 18″ × 16″
Choose the complete board
Once the size works, compare the weight, finish and appearance. The right choice should feel comfortable to use and look at home where you’ll keep it.
For a closer look at the patterns, see our construction comparison. It compares the long lines of edge grain with the block patterns of end grain.
