12 Best Wood Types DIYers Must Know

By Ed

December 14, 2023

96

Wood is a prevalent building material that is commonly used indoors, outdoors, and in the production of high-quality furniture. It is obtained from forests worldwide and comes in various types, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Gaining knowledge about different wood varieties can assist in choosing the most suitable type for future woodworking endeavors.

If you are planning to add a deck or fence, it is important to ensure that the wood used is resistant to water, rot, and insects in order to prevent the need for replacement within a short period of time.

When you engage in activities such as building furniture or installing a new floor, it is recommended to conduct research on the specific wood you intend to use. This research will serve as a basis for making an educated choice regarding your construction materials. Refer to this guide for a comprehensive understanding of the 16 types of wood that individuals involved in do-it-yourself projects should be familiar with.

1. Birch

Easily recognizable from the white to yellow coloring and distinct white bark with black streaks, birch wood is a popular and relatively affordable type of wood. Birch trees are commonly grown in the eastern U.S. and can grow up to 70 feet in height, despite the thin trunks.

DIYers can find white birch, yellow birch, and black birch wood to use in furniture making, toy making, millwork, flooring, and cabinetry projects. Birch is a dense hardwood that can be cut and formed with sharp woodworking tools. Just keep in mind that it tends to shrink a significant amount as it dries.

2. Poplar

Commonly grown in the eastern United States, poplar trees can reach up to 160 feet in height and they produce a light-colored hardwood that tends to have a cream color. This type of wood is a softer hardwood, making it highly desirable for DIYers and amateur woodworkers that prefer to work with hand tools.

Poplar wood is used to make furniture frames and is also regularly used for creating plywood layers. It takes paint incredibly well, making it a good option for painted shelves, doors, and cabinets. However, it should be mentioned that it can be difficult to get a smooth finish with this wood unless you are using a fine-grain sandpaper.

3. Beech

Beech wood is a type of hardwood known for having a straight grain and white to straw coloring. It is harvested in temperate forests throughout Asia, Europe, and North America, with beech trees growing up to 120 feet. However, the average height of these trees is only about 60 to 70 feet.

This type of wood isn’t suitable for outdoor projects or in humid locations because it is highly vulnerable to insect damage and has a tendency to absorb moisture. Instead, use beech wood to make veneers or construct plywood. It is also a popular material for making musical instruments or building furniture.

4. Cedar

Cedar wood is a popular softwood that comes in two common varieties, including white cedar and red cedar.

While red cedar initially has an amber to reddish coloring, white cedar has a similar but duller appearance and can show yellow tones. Both types weather to a silver-gray color unless treated before they fade. This wood is a good choice for outdoor projects, like fences or decks, because it is naturally resistant to rot and insect damage.

Cedar is a lightweight, durable material that can also be used to make furniture, like closets, dressers, or chests. The insect-resistant materials helps to keep nuisance pests out of your stored clothing and important documents. Opt for red cedar if you are looking for a straight grained pattern, but if you want to apply stain or paint, white cedar is the better choice.

5. Cherry

Cherry trees can meet your needs, whether you are in search of a convenient snack or engaged in the construction of upscale furniture. Cherry wood boasts a reddish-brown to blond color and displays fine, straight grain lines. These commonly cultivated trees thrive in the Midwest and eastern regions of the United States, growing to a maximum height of approximately 35 feet.

This hardwood is appealing for furniture production, cabinetry, paneling, and flooring due to its uniform appearance resulting from tight grain patterns. When stained and sealed, it provides a smooth finish and can be utilized in making musical instruments. Additionally, cherry wood is frequently chosen for wood carving projects due to its excellent response to sharp milling tools.

6. Mahogany

The most well-known wood names among people are undoubtedly those of mahogany. This wood derives from the mahogany tree, a high-quality hardwood found in West Africa, the West Indies, as well as Central and South America.

The height of the tree can reach up to 150 feet, and it yields wood that is exceptionally smooth and strong, typically having a rich or brown-red color. Mahogany, being a dense type of wood, is known for its resistance against rot and insect damage. Additionally, it is resistant to shrinking, swelling, and warping.

Due to these characteristics, mahogany is a favored material for superior furniture, cabinetry, built-ins, and top-notch flooring.

7. Pine

Pine, which is obtained from different species of pine trees found in various regions globally, is a soft wood. Depending on the specific species, it may exhibit a pale or yellowish appearance. Moreover, pine is considered a less dense wood that does not provide significant protection against decay and insect infestations. Additionally, pine is susceptible to cupping or warping.

Due to its abundance of knots, pine wood, including varieties known as ‘knotty pine,’ is an excellent option for rustic furniture, shelving, decking, and wall paneling.

8. Redwood

Despite its popular nickname, sequoia, redwood is seldom included in the list of commonly known wood types. This is because redwood trees, which are acknowledged as the tallest trees globally, can reach an impressive height of 400 feet.

Redwood, with its varying species, exhibits a color range from light white or yellow to red and reddish-brown. Moreover, this wood is remarkably soft and lightweight, characterized by a rough texture. It is highly regarded for its ability to resist rot and insects, making it an excellent option for outdoor projects like fences, exterior furniture, decks, and veneers.

9. Oak

Oak, which is a sought-after hardwood, is derived from oak trees that typically thrive in the United States and numerous other regions across the globe. Red and white are the two types of oak, both of which exhibit high density and durability with a rough, straight-grained texture.

The white type is recognized for its fleck, which is a wavy and contrasting pattern that becomes visible when it is being sawed. Oak is also highly regarded for its ability to resist rot and bugs, and it has a tendency to bend easily, making it an ideal option for crafting boats and wine barrels.

In addition to that, oak is utilized for making furniture, flooring, millwork, and cabinetry.

10. Teak

Teak is highly sought after in the market due to its impressive appearance and exceptional strength, making it one of the most favored hardwoods. The teak tree, found primarily in southern Asia, is the source of this wood, but it is also cultivated in African, Latin American, and other tropical regions.

Teak contains natural oils that repel water and insects. Teak and mahogany have many similarities, but they can be distinguished by their colors: teak is brown whereas mahogany is typically reddish.

Teak is primarily utilized in the boatmaking industry but is also a favored choice for creating furniture, carvings, and other carpentry projects.

11. Walnut

The black walnut tree, which is commonly found in the eastern United States, is a source of walnut, a well-liked type of wood. Walnut wood, known for its rich chocolatey color, is typically straight-grained with intermittent waves and contrasting patterns. These walnut trees can reach a height of up to 120 feet.

Walnut, which ranges in color from light brown to deep chocolate, possesses exceptional resistance to rot but is susceptible to insect attacks. It is frequently employed in the construction of medium- to high-quality furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, and turned items.

12. Maple

Maple, a hardwood that comes from the less popular variety of red maple tree known as rock or sugar maple, is the most widespread tree species in the U.S. Its color ranges from white and yellow to a deep golden hue.

Maple wood has a smooth and fine texture, which gives it a popular appeal for a variety of applications such as veneers, baseball bats, musical instruments, flooring, and more. Its grain is predominantly straight and often displayed in light brown bands.