When it comes to specifying cavity sliding doors, the conversation often centres on functionality, hardware quality, and design intent. But one detail that plays a huge role in the final visual outcome — and is often underestimated — is the timber reveal. The material surrounding your pocket door system not only affects aesthetics, but also durability, paint finish, installation efficiency, and how well the door integrates with surrounding joinery.
Over the years, we’ve refined our approach to timber reveals based on feedback from builders, cost fluctuations, industry trends, and the need for reliable, consistent supply. Today, we offer timber solutions that suit a wide range of projects, from standard residential builds to high-end architectural homes using custom sliding doors and premium finishes.
Why We Shifted Away from Tas Oak
For many years, our cavity units were supplied exclusively with Tasmanian Oak reveals. Tas Oak is a beautiful hardwood — warm, resilient, and known for its excellent staining capabilities — but the reality on site didn’t always justify the premium when a lot of the time is was being painted.
Couple this with rising costs and lower availability, and it became clear that Tas Oak was no longer the most practical choice for the majority of applications. To better support our builders and streamline production, we explored alternatives that offered the same reliability without the inflated price tag.
This led us to two standout options: finger-jointed Hoop Pine and American White Oak.
Our Standard Timber Reveals Today
Finger-Jointed Hoop Pine
Hoop Pine has quickly become a favourite for projects where the reveal will be painted. The finger-jointed construction provides stability, consistent quality, and a smooth surface that takes paint exceptionally well. For builders prioritising a crisp finish around their timber sliding doors, Hoop Pine offers excellent value without compromising performance.
American White Oak
As a cost-effective alternative to Tas Oak, American White Oak delivers the refined aesthetic many designers love. With its light-to-medium brown tone and straight grain, it brings a natural elegance that pairs beautifully with modern interiors, flooring, and cabinetry. Durable, versatile, and attractive, it has become our go-to timber reveal for most standard cavity sliding doors.
When Your Design Calls for Something Different
Every project has its own personality — and sometimes your door schedule demands more than the standard selection. Whether you’re matching surrounding joinery, harmonising with timber flooring, or aligning with specific wall linings like ply, we can custom-manufacture reveals to suit your exact design palette.
On sites where builders prefer to use their own timber, or need to match existing swing door jambs, we can also supply cavity units without timber reveals giving you the flexibility to fit your own reveals. This ensures consistency across the entire project. Simply advise at the time of order and we’ll configure your unit accordingly.
Timber Types We’ve Supplied for Custom Projects
Tasmanian Oak
Light in colour, ranging from straw to reddish-brown. Known for excellent staining qualities and a warm, resilient profile. Ideal when matching existing hardwood elements.
American White Oak
A consistent, elegant timber with a straight grain. Hard-wearing and versatile, making it suitable for high-traffic areas, furniture, and architectural details.
Spotted Gum
Richly varied tones from pale grey-brown to deep chocolate. Naturally fire-resistant, extremely stable, and ideal for oversized doorways or high-performance architectural applications.
Blackbutt
Pale blonde to light brown with a clean, contemporary grain. Durable, termite-resistant, and excellent for tall doorways due to its stability.
Ply
Typically, light brown with strength depending on grade. Best suited for interior wall linings, decorative details, and functional design elements.
Selecting the right timber reveal is an integral part of achieving a cohesive, long-lasting finish around your cavity sliding doors. Whether you’re opting for our standard selections or specifying fully custom sliding doors, our team can help you find the perfect match for your project’s style, performance needs, and budget.
