What is a Non-Porous

Generally speaking, non-porous materials do not allow water or air to pass through. In the world of cabinetry, non-porous usually indicates one of the softwoods, such as cedar and pine, which are naturally non-porous.

Non-porous woods are known for their relative inability to absorb stains evenly and readily. Non-porous woods are susceptible to splitting and commonly treated with a paint or polyurethane layer to make the material more resilient. For the most part, non-porous woods are avoided by cabinet makers since other harder woods are much better suited for cabinetry.