Before you go to the home improvement store, it is important to understand that not all types of wood are equal in terms of suitability for construction or woodworking projects. Hardwoods are known for their durability and resistance to scratches, whereas softwoods are more pliable and easier to manipulate. Thus, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the most appropriate type of lumber for your specific project.
Hardwood trees have a slower growth rate compared to softwoods, resulting in denser and heavier wood. These trees originate from deciduous species that undergo a change in leaf color during the autumn season.
Hardwood species are frequently utilized for flooring and furniture due to their durability, ability to withstand scratches and dents, and possessing some level of fire resistance. Despite being more expensive compared to softwoods, hardwoods are also appropriate for making cabinets and millwork.
It can be difficult to find the appropriate wood species for your needs due to the wide variety available. Keep reading to discover the most prevalent wood types that DIY enthusiasts might consider using, along with their typical characteristics and the projects they are most suitable for.
Oak
Oak, which is naturally resistant to rot and water, is a highly favored hardwood globally for various purposes including flooring, cabinetry, furniture, wall paneling, boat making, and joinery.
There are two varieties of oak trees, red oak and white oak. Both types have a light color, although red oak has a hint of red. Oak has a straight grain and can be stained well. One of the main disadvantages is that it is not easily painted, as the grain tends to be visible even with multiple coats.
Walnut
Known for its rich brown color and straight, coarse grain, walnut is a high-end hardwood that is renowned for its durability in interior applications. It is highly favored in flooring and cabinetry, as it can last for many decades. Remarkably, even when left untreated and exposed to the elements, walnut wood can endure for up to twenty years.
Although walnut is naturally dark, you have the option to make it even darker through staining. However, it is not possible to stain walnut wood with a lighter color. Moreover, the presence of knots and grains in walnut wood makes it difficult to apply paint effectively.
Teak
Teak is a type of wood that has a straight grain and is available in a variety of shades, ranging from light yellow to dark golden brown. Due to its high natural oil content, teak is resistant to moisture, rot, and pests. Builders often select teak for uses such as flooring, boat making, and joinery. Additionally, it is a popular choice for outdoor furniture and decking because of its inherent ability to withstand different weather conditions.
Teak is divided into three grades: A, B, and C. Teak Grade A, which is sourced from the center of the tree, possesses the highest oil concentration, signifying its superior quality.
Hickory
Hickory, known for its dense and stiff nature, is resistant to shocks. It is widely used as the preferred option for handles of striking tools such as hammers, axes, and mallets. Additionally, hickory is frequently utilized as a building material in various applications including ladders, wagon wheels, and paneling.
Hickory, with its interlocking grain and cream color featuring purple or red streaks, is ideal for hardwood flooring and cabinetry, particularly in rustic homes due to its eye-catching appearance. However, a drawback of hickory is its dense nature, making it challenging to cut and shape.
Maple
There are two types of maple: hard maple, which is obtained from Sugar Maple or Black Maple trees, and soft maple, which is obtained from Red Maple, Silver Maple, Boxelder, and Big Leaf Maple trees. Hard maple varieties are well-suited for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry, while soft maple is commonly used for wood veneers.
Hard maple is known for its durability and is characterized by its fine grain and light color. Typically, it appears cream-colored, although it may exhibit a reddish tint or dark streaks, depending on the specific variety.
Alder
Alder, which is easy to work with and does not split when screwed or nailed, is a suitable option for furniture, millwork, doors, and cabinetry. Despite its high quality, alder is more affordable compared to numerous other types of hardwoods.
A majority of alder wood is of a honey color, yet occasionally it exhibits a touch of red. It possesses a smooth and uniform grain and has a good ability to take in stains.
Birch
Birch is a type of wood that can be used for various home projects due to its versatility. It possesses qualities such as heaviness, strength, and shock resistance, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Manufacturers utilize birch in the production of children’s toys, broom handles, furniture, millwork, shutters, flooring, and decorative pieces.
Birch is a type of wood that has a closed, straight grain and occasionally exhibits a wavy pattern. Its color may vary, ranging from pale white to yellow or reddish brown.
Cherry
Cherry, a high-end hardwood with medium strength, flexibility, and natural shock resistance, is widely employed for flooring, cabinetry, furniture, and millwork. Its popularity stems from its ease of shaping, making it suitable for both hand tools and machinery.
Cherry wood has a warm-red tint naturally present on the heartwood and a pale yellow shade on the sapwood. When applying stain, it doesn’t absorb well, therefore it is recommended to allow the natural hues to be prominent.
Cedar
Cedar is a type of softwood that is well-known for being aromatic, resistant to rot and bugs, and durable. It is derived from various coniferous trees, with the most prevalent types being white and red cedar. White cedar, as the name implies, has a lighter color and over time develops a charming silvery gray hue. In contrast, red cedar has an amber look and will weather naturally to a rich, deep brownish red color.
Cedar is durable and lightweight, making it suitable for both outdoor and indoor projects. Regardless of the type of cedar used, it maintains these qualities. Red cedar has a more straight grain, while white cedar is known for its ability to consistently take stains and paints.
Cedar lumber is ideal for fences, decks, closet lining, and dresser or chest building due to its ability to resist rot and repel bugs. However, it is important to note that most cedar does not perform well when placed in the ground, except for certain older cedar and heartwood which can last for many years.
Fir
Douglas fir, also known as fir, is derived from a tree species of the same name and is a resilient softwood renowned for its hardness. If left undisturbed in natural habitats, Douglas fir trees can attain towering heights ranging from 200 to 300 feet. Although the wood exhibits resistance against rot and insects, it does not quite match the level of durability seen in cedar.
The grain of Douglas fir is highly noticeable and generally follows a straight path. Its wood displays a reddish-tan hue and is not particularly adept at evenly absorbing stains.
Due to its wood grain pattern and heavy density, nails driven into Douglas fir have a tendency to remain firm, making it a suitable option for construction lumber. Moreover, it is relatively affordable. These qualities also make it a popular choice among DIYers for decking and certain woodworking projects.
The homes in North America are predominantly constructed with Douglas fir lumber, which is known for its strength and durability. Additionally, it is available in long lengths and can be easily cut using construction saw blades.
Pine
Pine, which is derived from different pine trees across the United States, is known for being a highly workable and very soft wood. It encompasses various types such as sugar, white, ponderosa, and southern yellow pine. Although it is less dense and simple to work with, it typically lacks significant resistance to bugs or rot.
Pine can have a pale or yellowish look, which varies based on the specific species. It may also contain knots, with pieces that have many knots being sold as “knotty pine” and knot-free pieces called “clear pine.” The wood has a rough appearance and can be easily painted or stained.
Cheaper cuts of pine from home stores can be prone to cupping or warping due to their high moisture content that causes them to buckle and twist as they dry.
Pine is a great option for various projects such as rustic furniture, woodworking, wall paneling, pressure-treated decking, shelving, and similar endeavors, depending on its variant.
Redwood
If you’re not acquainted with redwood, you may recognize it more affectionately as sequoia. Redwood trees, which grow over 350 feet tall, are renowned as the tallest tree species globally. They flourish in a relatively limited region in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Redwood is a soft and pliable type of wood that is also light in weight. Its color can range from pale white or yellow to deep red or reddish brown. These towering giants grow rapidly, resulting in straight grain, particularly in old-growth redwood where the grain is extremely tight. Additionally, the wood has a coarse texture and is resistant to rot and insects, making it an excellent option for outdoor ventures such as decks.
Redwood is commonly preferred in certain regions of the United States for various applications such as framing lumber, decks, fences, exterior furniture, large beams, and veneers. If pressure treated, it can also be appropriate for ground contact.
Ash
Ash is a type of hardwood lumber derived from various trees, such as black ash, green ash, white ash, and blue ash. When given adequate room, an ash tree can attain a height of up to 60 feet and a width of up to 80 feet.
Ash lumber exhibits a range of light colors, typically ranging from white to gold, often accompanied by gray streaks. The color tones are comparable to maple, whereas the texture resembles oak, being rougher in nature. Despite its strong and rigid properties, ash is a lightweight hardwood, pleasantly surprising considering its weight-to-strength ratio. In fact, it even possesses superior shock resistance when compared to other hardwood types. Notably, it can be easily stained and painted to achieve excellent results.
Ash is second only to hickory in tool handle production due to its weight-to-strength ratio. Additionally, it is widely used for manufacturing wooden baseball bats, furniture, cabinets, flooring, and pool cues.
Mahogany
The luxury-grade hardwood known as mahogany is found in Central and South America, West Africa, and the West Indies. Mahogany trees have the potential to grow exceedingly tall, surpassing heights of 150 feet.
Mahogany sets itself apart when it comes to hardwoods for exquisite finishes and projects, even when compared to the beautiful wood of the cherry tree. The wood possesses a tendency towards a lavish red or brown-red appearance. It showcases a remarkably smooth and tightly packed grain, displaying exceptional strength and resilience. Moreover, it boasts an incredibly high density, resulting in resistance towards both rot and insects.
Mahogany possesses excellent stability due to its ability to resist shrinking, swelling, and warping.
Unsurprisingly, mahogany is widely used in fine furniture, custom cabinetry and built-ins, as well as high-end flooring. Additionally, mahogany has a long history of being used in boatbuilding.
Leave a Reply