For beginners in woodworking, the abundance of information on various wood types for this craft can be overwhelming. Apart from hardwood and softwood, there exist numerous other wood varieties within these primary classifications. Prior to making a choice, it is essential to understand the finest wood options for furniture as well as those most suitable for outdoor applications.
Learn more about the difference between hardwoods and softwoods, as well as the standard benefits of various species and their primary applications.
Difference between hardwood and softwood
Softwoods and hardwoods can be distinguished by the type of tree they are obtained from. Softwoods are derived from conifer trees, which bear cones and have needle-shaped leaves. Fir, redwood, pine, cedar, and spruce are among the frequently encountered softwood tree varieties.
On the contrary, hardwoods are obtained by milling trees that do not bear cones or needles; instead, these trees are deciduous and possess seeds and leaves. Walnut, cherry, oak, mahogany, and maple are among the popular varieties of hardwood.
Many people mistakenly believe that softwoods are actually soft because of their name, but in reality, many hardwoods are softer than some softwoods that are more challenging to work with. Ultimately, the distinction between hardwood and softwood lies in the type of tree they originate from, rather than their hardness or softness.
It is worth mentioning that bamboo and palm, despite being classified as hardwoods, differ from deciduous trees. They originate from monocotyledonous plants but exhibit numerous resemblances to various other hardwoods.
1. Cedar
The western red cedar is highly sought-after, being the most popular among several cedar varieties. It boasts a reddish hue and is renowned for its softness. Additionally, it possesses a straight grain and emits a gentle, pleasing scent. Western red cedars are widely accessible at home stores and typically come at a reasonable cost.
Cedar is occasionally utilized in constructing storage chests and closets due to the belief that its aromatic scent acts as a deterrent for pests like moths.
Cedar wood is highly favored for outdoor construction projects due to its resistance to rot and suitability for challenging outdoor applications. It is commonly employed for fencing, siding, patio furniture, and decks.
Because of its natural oils and aromatic properties, this wood can cause irritation to certain individuals, therefore, it is not suitable for crafting kitchen utensils or any other items that have prolonged contact with people’s skin.
2. Pine
Pine, a commonly found softwood, possesses a wide range of uses. It is renowned for its durability, affordability, and sustainable qualities. Pine is easily carved due to its relatively soft nature. Moreover, woodworkers have access to an abundant supply of pine, as pine trees grow rapidly. Various types of pine display distinct color variations, including yellow and white varieties.
Unless it has been treated for outdoor use, pine is typically used as indoor wood. Pine can undergo staining, painting, or finishing. When it comes to furniture, pine is an exceptional option among the various types of wood. It is widely recognized as one of the top choices for those new to woodworking.
3. Mahogany
Mahogany displays a variety of shades from reddish-brown to deep-red and is relatively soft in comparison to other softwoods. It possesses a straight grain and medium texture, which makes it appealing to woodworkers for its aesthetic appeal and ease of shaping. It is commonly favored for crafting musical instruments such as pianos and guitars.
One drawback of mahogany is its limited availability in sustainable forests, making it unlikely to be found at local home stores. To obtain it, one would have to visit a lumberyard where it tends to be costly. Consequently, for novice woodworkers seeking practice, it is advisable to opt for cheaper wood alternatives.
4. Chery
Cherry, a highly sought-after wood, is known for its ease of finishing and staining. The sapwood of cherry displays a whitish hue, while its heartwood is characterized by a reddish-brown shade. Cherry’s level of hardness is comparable to that of mahogany, making it a convenient wood to craft with.
Architectural woodwork, furniture and cabinets are frequent uses of cherry wood, which is not commonly found in home stores, necessitating its purchase from a lumberyard. The high demand for cherry wood has led to its elevated price among other hardwoods.
5. Fir
Ideal for: Flooring, trim work, furniture manufacturing, boats, and aircraft. However, this type of wood does not readily absorb stains, therefore it is recommended to utilize its natural reddish hue or apply a coat of paint.
Douglas fir, also referred to as fir, can reach impressive heights up to 300 feet. This type of softwood is known for its sturdiness, resistance to insects and rot, although not as much as cedar wood. Despite being a softwood, its durability matches that of hardwood species.
The visible and straight grain of Douglas fir distinguishes it from other types of wood and makes it a more affordable option.
It is an ideal building material due to all these qualities. Additionally, it can be utilized for decking and other woodworking projects. It boasts durability and longevity, and can be easily cut using construction saw blades.
6. Redwood
Ideal for: Outdoor projects, beams, support posts, decking, and furniture.
Capable of reaching heights of up to 400 feet, redwood, also referred to as sequoia, stands as one of the tallest trees on earth.
Redwood possesses characteristics of being a soft, flexible, and light type of wood. Its color ranges from delicate white, yellow, deep crimson, to reddish-brown. Typically, the wood grain is straight, especially in old-growth redwood, which tends to be dense.
These wood varieties possess a coarse texture and exhibit strong resistance against both rot and insect damage, thereby making them an ideal selection for outdoor projects.
When it comes to framing lumber, fences, decks, outdoor furniture, beams, and veneer, Redwood is often the preferred option. In the case of being pressure-treated, it becomes suitable for projects that involve contact with the ground.
7. Birch
Ideal for: Flooring, cabinetry, furniture production, wood veneers, and millwork.
Birch, an economical hardwood, is extensively utilized and commonly found in the eastern United States, particularly in the Northeast region.
Birch trees have the ability to reach a height of 70 feet, despite having slender trunks. The most popular types of birch are black, white, and yellow, which all share a uniform appearance because of their smooth-grained wood. Birch exhibits a color spectrum that spans from white to yellow, with the black birch variation displaying distinctive black streaks.
Despite being thick and sturdy, birch wood can be effectively shaped with sharp tools in woodworking. Additionally, it undergoes significant shrinkage during the drying process.
8. Ash
Ideal for: Staircase steps, tool grips, baseball equipment, furniture pieces, and flooring and decorative molding.
Ash, which comes from various ash tree species, is a kind of timber. Blue, white, green, and black ash are the most prevalent types of this wood. When provided ample space, ash has the potential to reach heights of 60 feet and widths of 80 feet.
Ash wood is characterized by a vibrant hue that spans from white to gold, adorned with gray streaks. While the color palette bears resemblance to maple, ash possesses a texture akin to oak, albeit with a coarser exterior. Apart from being robust, ash is surprisingly lightweight in contrast to its stiffness and durability. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent resistance to shocks.
9. Maple
Ideal for a wide range of interior projects, such as flooring, furniture crafting, trim installations, and cabinetry.
Maple trees have the potential to grow as tall as 115 feet and possess canopies of similar magnitude. The timber derived from hard maple is exceptionally sturdy and long-lasting, displaying an attractive light color that varies from white to yellow and eventually a splendid golden hue.
In the northeastern United States, the sugar maple is regarded as one of the most prized wood varieties.
Maple wood exhibits a straight and compact grain featuring bands of light brown shade. There is also the option to choose curly maple wood, which displays fascinating wavy patterns in the wood grain. Both types of grain provide a smooth and gentle texture.
Maple wood’s versatility makes it suitable for crafting a variety of items, ranging from baseball bats to paper. Manufacturers favor it for various purposes, including furniture, flooring, interior trims, and veneer. Its exceptional strength and endurance also make it an ideal choice for constructing bowling lanes.
10. Poplar
Ideal for: Creating furniture, constructing sheds, making cabinets, and undertaking small woodworking projects.
Poplar wood, known for its versatility, is derived from poplar trees found in the Eastern United States, which can grow as tall as 160 feet. This wood is highly favored by do-it-yourself enthusiasts and hobbyist woodworkers.
Poplar wood is a wood of light shade that varies in color from cream to a shade of yellowish-brown.
