When it comes to picking the right wood for your upcoming project, it can be beneficial to have knowledge about various types of wood and their respective purposes. This list of different wood types will assist you in making a satisfying choice, whether you are constructing something using wood or selecting wooden furniture for your house.
Due to the fact that wood is derived from trees, and considering the existence of numerous tree species, it is understandable that wood is accessible in various forms and dimensions, thereby providing a wide range of options for construction purposes.
The three main types of wood
Softwoods
Softwoods refer to the wood and lumber obtained from conifer trees, which are scientifically referred to as Gymnosperms. Conifer trees are characterized by their needles and cone production. Pine, Cedar, Fir, Spruce, and Redwood are among the widely used softwood trees in woodworking, construction, and furniture making.
Are softwoods softer than hardwoods
Softwoods are not called softwoods because they are soft, despite popular belief. Although certain hardwoods are indeed hard and pose more difficulties in working with them, the difference between hardwood and softwood is not determined by their actual softness or the ease of working with them. Numerous hardwoods are actually softer than softwoods.
How are softwoods like pine, cedar, spruce, fir and redwood used
Most softwoods are widely used in various building applications due to their strength. Spruce, Pine, and Fir, commonly referred to as SPF, can be found as dimensional SPF lumber at home improvement centers. These types of wood are frequently utilized in framing for new constructions, as well as in the construction of utility-style structures.
Softwoods from the cypress family, including cedar and redwood, are well-known for their resistance against rot and insects, which is why they are considered ideal for external projects like decking and outdoor furniture.
Hardwoods
Hardwoods are trees that produce leaves and seeds, and they come from any trees that do not produce needles or cones. These trees are commonly referred to as deciduous trees or, more scientifically, angiosperms.
Many hardwood species, such as oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, and walnut, are common. It should be noted, however, that hardwood species do not always possess greater strength than softwoods. Nonetheless, numerous species are renowned for their exquisite and unique wood grain patterns.
There are certain woods that do not fall into the category of deciduous trees and are still considered to be hardwoods, including Bamboo and Palm. These plants, scientifically known as monocotyledons, share many characteristics of hardwoods and are often grouped as such. Bamboo and Palm can also be classified as engineered wood in some cases.
Engineered wood: Manufactured wood products
Engineered woods are the third type of wood that you might come across. Rather than occurring naturally in the environment, engineered wood is manufactured. These boards are typically created by manipulating wood to possess specific qualities or characteristics. Referred to as composite wood, these items are frequently produced using the leftover wood from sawmills.
Engineered wood is frequently subjected to a chemical or heat treatment in order to create a wood product that can achieve specific sizes which would be challenging to obtain naturally. Plywood, Oriented Strand Board, Medium Density Fiber Board, and Composite Board are some well-known instances of engineered woods.
Wood veneers can sometimes be considered as engineered wood because they often require manipulation, such as using specialized cutting techniques or joining pieces together, in order to attain a particular size or wood grain pattern.
Having comprehended the three primary categories of wood, we can now proceed to examine all the assorted types of wood you may come across and their common applications.
Types of wood for woodworking, furniture, and building
1. Alder wood
Alder, a hardwood, is growing in popularity because of its natural beauty, workability, and versatility. It is commonly found in the Northwest regions of California and Southwestern parts of Canada. Being in the same family as the birch tree, it often serves similar purposes.
When freshly cut, Alder has an almost white appearance which rapidly changes to a warm honey brown upon exposure to air and sunlight. This type of wood, with its medium density, typically exhibits a straight grain and is suitable for various applications such as carving, turning, and machining due to its ease of use.
The wood is also compatible with various finishing treatments. Alder wood becomes smooth when sanded, making it easy to stain or paint. However, since the Alder tree does not grow to a large diameter or height, obtaining very large solid pieces might be more challenging and thus costlier to acquire.
Alder is commonly utilized in the making of furniture and cabinetry. Additionally, it is a favored option for photo frames and various other decorative items.
Alder wood is commonly used in the hard body of electric guitars, which is one of its more particular applications. The clean tone produced by Alder wood is difficult to imitate using other types of wood. In fact, in the realm of electric guitars, Alder is often preferred for its tone over even exotic hardwoods like mahogany.
2. Fir
This species is suitable for flooring, trim work, furniture-making, boats, and aircraft. However, it does not respond well to staining, so it is recommended to use it in its natural reddish tint or paint it.
Douglas fir, also referred to as fir, has the ability to grow to towering heights of 300 feet. It is a strong and sturdy softwood that exhibits remarkable resistance to insects and rotting, although not as much as cedar wood. Despite being a softwood, its durability is comparable to that of hardwood species.
The grain of Douglas fir is observable and has a straight orientation. Furthermore, it is more economical in comparison to alternative wood varieties.
Due to all of these characteristics, it is considered an excellent material for construction. Moreover, it is suitable for decking and various woodworking endeavors. Its durability and longevity are noteworthy, and it can be easily cut with construction saw blades.
3. Cedar
Cedar is ideal for various uses such as decking, fences, outdoor furniture, wood shingles, interior finishes, and furniture making. It is a fragrant softwood that is highly appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and long lifespan. Its exceptional traits include its resistance to insects and rot, which are highly esteemed.
Cedar wood, which can be obtained from various coniferous trees, typically red and white species, differs in appearance. Red cedar has an amber-like color, while white cedar is lighter in shade. If untreated and exposed to the elements, both types of cedar will naturally transform into a silvery gray color. Despite their distinct characteristics, cedar is known for its resilience and lightweight nature, making it suitable for a wide range of indoor and outdoor applications.
The red variety has a straighter wood grain in comparison to white wood, enabling it to absorb paint more evenly. These characteristics make it ideal for various applications including constructing chests or dressers, as well as for building decks, fences, and outdoor furniture.
Cedar is a member of the pine family, but it surpasses regular pine wood in terms of durability. Unlike pine, cedar can be utilized for decking without the need for staining or varnishing. Its capacity to repel fungi allows cedar to remain outdoors for many years, and it is also less susceptible to mold growth.
4. Pine
Pine is suitable for furniture making, flooring, cabinetry, and shelving. However, for decking and outdoor projects, it is essential to use pressure-treated pine.
Pine, which is a softwood, can be sourced from various trees in the US, including ponderosa, white, southern yellow pine, and sugar. Although pine is easy to work with, it lacks natural resistance to rot and insects unlike cedar. Consequently, for outdoor projects or decking purposes, pressure-treated southern yellow pine is recommended when using pine.
Pine wood is typically light in color, often displaying a yellow or orange hue. It is possible for pine to have knots, and sections with knots are known as “knotty pine,” while knot-free areas are referred to as “clear pine.” In general, both types of pine wood have an unrefined appearance and are capable of accepting stains and paint effectively.
Due to its high moisture content, low-grade pine has a tendency to warp and cup, leading to buckling and twisting when it dries out.
5. Redwood
Ideal for: Outdoor projects such as beams, support posts, decking, and furniture.
One of the tallest trees on Earth is Redwood, also called sequoia, with the ability to grow up to 400 feet in height. Redwood is a lightweight and pliable soft wood that can range in color from delicate white to yellow, deep crimson, or reddish-brown. Its wood grains are typically straight, while old-growth redwood has a tight grain.
These wood varieties possess a coarse surface and exhibit remarkable resistance against deterioration and harm caused by insects, thereby rendering them a commendable option for outdoor endeavors. Redwood is widely preferred for applications such as framing lumber, fences, decks, outdoor furniture, beams, and veneer. In case of pressure treatment, it becomes suitable for projects involving contact with the ground.
6. Birch
Ideal for: Flooring, cabinetry, furniture production, wood veneer applications, and millwork.
The hardwood known as birch is widely used and is considered an economical option. Birch trees are found in abundance in the eastern United States, particularly in the Northeast region. Even though they can reach heights of up to 70 feet, the trunks of birch trees are relatively slender. The most commonly favored birch varieties include black, white, and yellow birch.
Birch has a uniform appearance due to its wood with a smooth grain. Its color can vary from white to yellow, whereas the type called black birch showcases black streaks. Birch is strong and solid, yet it is easy to work with sharp tools for woodworking. When it undergoes the drying process, it significantly reduces in size.
7. Maple
Suitable for various interior projects such as flooring, furniture fabrication, trim work, and cabinetry.
With a step-by-step thought process, rephrase the given text without adding or removing any information: Maple trees have a capability to grow as tall as 115 feet and possess canopies of equal size. The timber derived from hard maple is extremely firm and long-lasting, displaying an attractive light hue ranging from white to yellow and sometimes a deep golden shade.
Maple wood, known for its straight and tight grain with light brown bands, is highly valuable in the northeastern United States. Additionally, there is curly maple wood with fascinating wavy patterns, but both grain varieties share a smooth and delicate texture.
Maple wood can be transformed into various products, such as baseball bats and paper, due to its ease of manipulation. Manufacturers prefer utilizing it for an array of tasks, including furniture, flooring, interior trims, and veneer, owing to its exceptional sturdiness and longevity. Its remarkable durability also makes it an excellent choice for constructing bowling lanes.
8. Mahogany
Ideal for: the production of high-quality furniture, cabinetry, paneling, musical instruments, and watercraft.
Mahogany, a high-quality wood, is found in West Africa, Central America, and South America. Growing over 150 feet tall, mahogany is renowned for its superior quality and is highly sought after for upscale projects. With its striking natural beauty, mahogany showcases a rich crimson or brown-red hue.
Mahogany is known for its durability and weightiness, as well as its exceptionally smooth grain and fine texture. Additionally, its dense composition makes it highly resistant to decay and pests. Another notable characteristic of mahogany wood is its remarkable stability, as it remains unaffected by warping, swelling, or shrinking.
Boat building is a popular choice for using this material due to its durability, although it is more commonly used for high-end, custom kitchen cabinets and furniture.
