Why This Quiet Finish Speaks Volumes
For the first time, Maximo is naming a Color of the Year — not as a trend piece, but as a reflection of how one finish from our Maximo Pre-Finished collection is shaping real-world design. Chosen for its performance, restraint, and growing presence across key applications, this selection marks the beginning of a new tradition.
For 2026, the color is White Oak Transparent.
It’s subtle. It’s mineral-toned. And it’s the color that is quietly redefining how modern wood architecture feels and functions today.
A Finish That Lets the Architecture Lead
White Oak Transparent isn’t loud, and that’s exactly why it works.
This soft, desaturated tone keeps natural grain visible while gently muting warmth in the wood. The result is a surface that feels calm, cohesive, and refined — ideal for projects where the architecture, light, and texture need to take center stage.
Designers are already using this color across multiple Maximo Thermo species, including Thermo Ayous and Thermo Ash, especially in projects where wood meets stone, concrete, or metal. Its quiet neutrality allows those materials to blend rather than compete.
The Technical Side: Performance Built In
White Oak Transparent is part of the Maximo Pre-Finished system — factory-applied for precision and protection. Using water-based, low-VOC coatings, it is engineered to preserve grain visibility while delivering dependable, long-term durability.
This means it performs in both interior and exterior environments, maintaining its clarity even in settings with heavy sun exposure, ocean air, or humidity.
It also maintains strong consistency across Maximo Thermo species, making it ideal for multi-species designs requiring a cohesive tone throughout.
Why Now
Design is shifting.
We’re seeing a clear move toward material honesty, softened palettes, and surfaces that feel grounded rather than graphic. White Oak Transparent fits this shift naturally. It isn’t trendy — it’s timeless.
And that’s what makes it so relevant for 2026.
- It elevates without overpowering.
- It blends instead of competes.
- It lives comfortably alongside the materials that define contemporary architecture.
This is what a Color of the Year should do — reflect where design is headed while staying rooted in performance.
Explore White Oak Transparent
▶ Download the Maximo Pre-Finished Catalog
Your full guide to Maximo’s Pre-Finished colors, textures, and species.
▶ Browse real-world projects at photos.maximowood.com
▶ Need samples? Get in touch
