New Cabinets: What to Expect

Important Information About Your Cabinetry

As the purchaser of your cabinetry, Outlook Homes want you to feel confident and well-informed about what to expect. Your cabinets are manufactured by Bertch or Marsh using real wood and high-quality finishes. Because of the natural characteristics of wood and the finishing process, certain visual traits are normal and unavoidable. The manufacturers cannot produce cabinets without these characteristics, so it’s important that you find them acceptable.

Solid Color Finishes & Wood Grain “Telegraphing”

Solid color finishes are applied to solid wood face frames:

• Oak has an open grain, so the wood grain will naturally show through the finish.

• Birch has a finer grain, and while some grain may still show, it is typically more subtle.

This visible grain pattern is normal and expected—it is not a defect.

Joint Fractures (Hairline Lines)

Wood naturally expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. As a result, small hairline fractures may appear at cabinet joints over time. These lines are cosmetic only, do not affect durability, and are not preventable or covered under warranty.

Mitered Doors

On painted, solid-color mitered doors, the joints may become visible as the wood responds to normal environmental changes. This movement may occur shortly after installation or develop gradually over time, depending on conditions in your home. This is a normal characteristic of painted mitered doors.

Glazed Finishes

Glaze is a transparent finish applied over a sealed surface to enhance depth and highlight details such as profiles, joints, and recessed areas. It creates an intentionally aged or antique appearance.

Because glaze emphasizes natural wood features:

• Joints, grain patterns, and character marks will be more noticeable

• Variations between cabinet pieces and within a single project are expected

A protective topcoat is applied over the glaze to complete the finish.

Shrinking & Swelling (Wood Movement)

Wood naturally responds to changes in humidity:

• In humid conditions, wood absorbs moisture and expands

• In dry conditions, wood releases moisture and contracts

This movement is a natural property of wood—not a defect in materials or workmanship.

Examples of normal wood movement include:

• Doors that swell slightly and rub

• Center panels shrinking and exposing pre-finished edges

• Miter joints opening or shifting

To minimize these effects, we strongly recommend maintaining your home at:

• 30–40% relative humidity

• 50–80°F indoor temperature

  
  

Natural Wood Variations

Every tree is unique, and natural variations are part of what makes real wood cabinetry distinctive. Variations may include:

• Differences in color tones (white, pink, green, gray, or darker hues)

• Variation in grain pattern, from uniform to bold

• Mineral streaks, pitch marks, or worm tracks

• Differences in how wood absorbs stain

• Natural darkening over time (especially with Cherry)

While most wood and finish combinations are commonly seen, some combinations may look different than expected due to the interaction of these natural characteristics.

Rustic Woods

Cabinetry made with Rustic Woods may include prominent natural characteristics such as:

• Large knots and wane

• Pin knots, bird pecks, worm tracks

• Mineral staining and irregular grain

• Hairline cracks that do not affect strength

• Sapwood and cherry pitch marks

Please note: Certain cabinet components—such as face frames, plywood returns, mirrors, wood tops, valances, and wood hoods—are not considered rustic, even when used with rustic cabinetry.

Cabinet Warranty Information

All cabinetry warranty coverage is provided directly by the manufacturer and is subject to the applicable manufacturer warranty terms.

• Outlook does not provide a separate cabinetry warranty

• Warranty coverage, limitations, and exclusions are determined solely by the manufacturer

• Warranty terms may change at any time

Please refer to the sample warranty documents provided and the manufacturer’s website for the most current and complete warranty information.

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