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Types of Wood: Guide to Choose the Best for Your Furniture

By August 29, 2022August 8th, 2023Other

Types of Wood
Guide to Choose the Best for Your Furniture

wood list

Different types of wood for furniture (both hardwood and softwood) are available in the market. Each type comes with a different set of characteristics in terms of color, density, grain, and finishing. Picking the right wood for furniture is critical as it helps you to determine the exact price of your unit. It will also be a deciding factor when you want to restore, resale, or discard a piece of furniture.

Although you can use any type of wood to make furniture, not all woods are made equal. That’s why you need to choose it carefully.

When it comes to choosing the best wood for your furniture, understanding its properties is a must. This guide will provide you with detailed information on the various aspects of wood including :

But before we go into the details, let’s take a look at some of the latest and most relevant stats.

In 2018, the total area of timberland in the United States amounted to some 514 million acres.

tree

China (26%) was the highest consumer of sawn wood in 2017, followed by the United States of America (21%) and Germany (4%).

sawn-wood-percentage

The U.S market for furniture is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.9% through 2019.

Rank

Exporter

2017 sawn wood export

1.

Canada

US$8.3 billion (22% of exported sawn wood)

2.

Russia

$4 billion (10.3%)

3.

United States

$3.8 billion (9.8%)

4.

Sweden

$3.1 billion (7.9%)

5.

Germany

$2.14 billion (5.5%)

6.

FInland

$2.05 billion (5.3%)

7.

Thailand

$1.5 billion (3.9%)

8.

Austria

$1.47 billion (3.8%)

9.

Malaysia

$900.2 million (2.3%)

10.

Chile

$803.2 million (2.1%)

11.

Latvia

$684.2 million (1.8%)

12.

Brazil

$665.3 million (1.7%)

13.

New Zealand

$613.9 million (1.6%)

14.

Blegium

$568.4 million (1.5%)

15.

Romania

$527 million (1.4%)

On the other hand, the global furniture market was valued at around $331.21 billion in 2017. It is expected to reach approximately $472.30 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of around 5.2% between 2018 and 2024.

Types of Wood
(The Wood Database)

tree-peice

Hardness is one of the simplest ways to distinguish the wood used for furniture. Contrary to the popular belief, hardwood is not necessarily harder and denser compared to softwood. In botanical terms, hardwood comes from flowering trees while softwood comes from conifers. Both hardwood and softwood are used for everything from structural to decorative purposes.

trees

Hardwood

Hardwood comes from Angiosperms such as maple, oak, and walnut. These trees lose their leaves annually (deciduous or broad-leafed trees). As they grow slowly, hardwood has denser wood fibers (fiber tracheids and libriform fibers).

An interesting fact about hardwood is that some types of hardwood can’t float in water. For example, Black ironwood is perhaps the hardest and heaviest wood that sinks in water.

Properties of Hardwood

Softwood

Softwood comes from gymnosperms, which are seed-bearing evergreen trees such as pine, spruce, fir, cedar, juniper, redwood, and yew. As most evergreen trees tend to be less dense than deciduous trees, it is easier to cut them down. They also grow tall and straight, making it easier to cut long straight planks of wood.

softwood

Properties of Hardwood

Hardwood vs Softwood: The difference

tree piece
tree

No

Hardwood

Softwood

1.

Hardwood comes from angiosperm, deciduous trees.

Softwood comes from coniferous, evergreen trees.

2.

It comes with rough wood texture.

It comes with fine wood texture.

3.

The presence of vessels makes it porous

The absence of vessels makes it non-porous.

4.

Tracheid content is around just 5% to 10%.

Tracheid content is around 90% to 95%.

5.

The complex anatomical structure makes hardwood denser.

The relatively less complex anatomical structure makes softwood less dense.

6.

Not all types of hardwood are ideal for furniture making. Being expensive, they are usually used in high-end furniture manufacturing.

Almost all types of softwood are ideal for furniture making. In fact, about 80% of all timber comes from softwood.

Hardwood

1. Hardwood comes from angiosperm, deciduous trees.

2. It comes with rough wood texture.

3. The presence of vessels makes it porous

4. Tracheid content is around just 5% to 10%.

5. The complex anatomical structure makes hardwood denser.

6. Not all types of hardwood are ideal for furniture making. Being expensive, they are usually used in high-end furniture manufacturing.

Softwood

1. Softwood comes from coniferous, evergreen trees.

2. It comes with fine wood texture.

3. The absence of vessels makes it non-porous.

4. Tracheid content is around 90% to 95%.

5. The relatively less complex anatomical structure makes softwood less dense.

6. Almost all types of softwood are ideal for furniture making. In fact, about 80% of all timber comes from softwood.

Hardwood

mahogany wood
walnut wood
red oak wood
ash wood
birch wood
maple wood
cherry wood
beech wood
teak wood
east indian rosewood

Mahogany

Mahogany is one of the most popular hardwood tropical trees. Mahogany wood is prized for its beauty, durability, and color. It is relatively free of voids and pockets. The color darkens over time. As a result, it is a popular choice for furniture.

color icon
Color – Reddish-brown to blood red.
density icon
Density – Medium texture and moderately heavy.
grain icon
Grain – Straight.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – High-end furniture, interior millwork, exterior doors, windows, and trim.
finishing icon
Finishing– Sanding sealer.
mahogany wood
mahogany wood
white line
walnut wood
walnut wood

Walnut

Walnut (black walnut) is one of the most popular woods for furniture in the U.S. The dimensional stability, shock resistance, strength properties, and the rich coloration are the reasons behind its popularity.

color icon
Color – Lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks. Sapwood is pale yellow-gray to nearly white.
density icon
Density – Medium texture, fairly lightweight.
grain icon
Grain – Moderately open grain.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – High-end furniture, carving, flooring accents, musical instruments, and gun stocks.
finishing icon
Finishing– Should be finished with oil-based polyurethane
white line

Red Oak

Oak trees are native to the northern hemisphere. There are around 600 species of oak, both deciduous and evergreen. Oakwood is remarkably strong, heavy, and durable. It is also resistant to fungal attacks.

color icon
Color – Pinkish red to blonde
density icon
Density – Very hard and strong.
grain icon
Grain – Varied and openly porous grain patterns.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Furniture, cabinets, molding, trim, flooring, paneling, turning.
finishing icon
Finishing– Natural finish or oil, but they may vary.
red-oak-wood
red-oak-wood
white line
ash wood
ash wood

Ash

Ash trees are medium to large trees that grow in most parts of the world. Ashwood feels smooth to the touch. It is durable, tough, and flexible. It has excellent nailing, screw holding, and gluing properties. Hence, carpenters love to work with ash wood. However, it produces a distinct and moderately unpleasant smell while working on it.

color icon
Color – Light, creamy-brown.
density icon
Density – Tough, flexible.
grain icon
Grain – Open-grained with occasional brown streaks.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Flooring, millwork, boxes/crates, baseball bats, and other turned objects such as tool handles.
finishing icon
Finishing– Takes all finishes.
white line

Birch

Birch trees are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere. Though it is closely related to Oakwood, it is much harder. Birch plywood is probably the most widely used as it is hard, stable, affordable, and readily available.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is light reddish brown with nearly white sapwood.
density icon
Density – Hard, medium weight.
grain icon
Grain – Usually straight or slightly wavy with small pores.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Plywood, boxes, crates, turned objects, cabinets, seating, millwork, furniture, interior doors.
finishing icon
Finishing– Takes all finishes.
birch wood
birch wood
white line
maple wood
maple wood

Maple

Maple trees are mostly native to Asia. But they are also found in Europe, North Africa, and North America. The maple wood is sturdy, resistant to splitting, and durable. It can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, making it ideal for kitchen furniture.

color icon
Color – The heartwood is typically a darker shade of reddish brown. Sapwood color ranges from nearly white to an off-white cream color. But it can be reddish or golden hue.
density icon
Density – Moderately hard but strong.
grain icon
Grain – Closed and generally straight, but may be wavy.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Everything from furniture and woodenware to flooring and millwork.
finishing icon
Finishing– Takes all finishes.
white line

Cherry

Cherry wood comes from the cherry fruit tree. Cherry wood has rich color, smooth grain, and flexibility, making it a popular choice for furniture manufacturers. It also steams easily, making it ideal for use in curved designs.

color icon
Color – The color is light pinkish brown when freshly cut. It darkens to a medium reddish brown over time.
density icon
Density – Stiff, strong, medium weight, and moderately hard.
grain icon
Grain – Closed and straight.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Cabinetry, fine furniture, flooring, interior millwork, veneer, musical instruments, paneling, turned objects, and small specialty wood items.
finishing icon
Finishing– Light to natural finishes are recommended.
cherry wood
cherry wood
white line
beech wood
wooden beech chair

Beech

Beech trees are deciduous and native to temperate Europe, Asia, and North America. Beechwood is quite durable and resistant to abrasion and shock. Because beech steam-bends as readily as ash, carpenters love to work with this wood. It also provides an elegant and dated look to furniture. However, it is not dishwasher safe.

color icon
Color – Pink to reddish brown heartwood, sapwood is creamy to pink.
density icon
Density – Very hard and heavy.
grain icon
Grain – Straight with a fine to medium uniform texture.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Chair legs and backs, crates/pallets, railroad ties, flooring, food containers, toys, musical instruments, and woodenware.
finishing icon
Finishing– Takes all finishes.
white line

Teak

Teaks are tropical hardwood trees native to India, Myanmar (Burma), and Thailand. Teakwood is one of the hardest and most durable of all natural woods. It is resistant to rotting, sunlight, rain, frost, and snow, making it suitable for outdoor construction and furniture. However, it is expensive and sometimes hard to find.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is golden or medium brown and darkens with age.
density icon
Density – It is heavy and strong.
grain icon
Grain – Grain is straight. Occasionally, it can be wavy or interlocked.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Boatbuilding, veneer, furniture, exterior construction, carving, and turnings.
finishing icon
Finishing– Finishes best with wood lacquer.
teak wood
teak wood
white line
east indian rosewood
east indian rosewood

East Indian Rosewood

The rosewood trees grow in tropical environments including countries such as Brazil, India, and Madagascar. Rosewood is durable when dried properly. It comes with white chalky deposits that may dull tools and present problems with finishing. However, it is one of the toughest woods.

color icon
Color – Pink to reddish brown heartwood, sapwood is creamy to pink.
density icon
Density – Very hard and heavy.
grain icon
Grain – Straight with a fine to medium uniform texture.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Chair legs and backs, crates/pallets, railroad ties, flooring, food containers, toys, musical instruments, and woodenware.
finishing icon
Finishing– Takes all finishes.

Softwood

parana pine
eastern white pine
lodgepole pine
pitch-pine
scots pine
white spruce
red cedar
fir
larch
western hemlock
european pine

Parana Pine

Parana pine trees also called Brazilian pine are native to southern Americas, especially Brazil. Parana pine wood is free from resin ducts, pitch pockets, and pitch streaks. It has a higher shear strength and nail holding capacity compared to other softwoods. However, it tends to warp and distort during drying and compression.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is light to medium brown, usually with red streaks. Sapwood is yellow.
density icon
Density – Light but hard.
grain icon
Grain – Straight, uniform.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Framing lumber, interior woodwork, sashes, and door stock, furniture case goods, and veneer.
finishing icon
Finishing– Finishes well, but requires initial seal coats.
parana pine wood
wooden drawer
white line
eastern white pine wood
kitchen

Eastern White Pine

Walnut (black walnut) is one of the most popular woods for furniture in the U.S. The dimensional stability, shock resistance, strength properties, and the rich coloration are the reasons behind its popularity.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is a light brown with a slightly reddish hue. Sapwood is a pale yellow to nearly white.
density icon
Density – Soft and very lightweight.
grain icon
Grain – Straight and tight. However, winter wood and summer wood show a significant difference.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Exterior millwork, furniture, moldings, paneling, carvings, turning, pattern making.
finishing icon
Finishing– Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.
white line

Lodgepole Pine

Lodgepole pine trees are commonly found in western North America and Canada. The trees can live to be over three hundred years old. However, they seldom do as they are susceptible to bark beetle attacks. The tangential surface of lumber shows a multitude of dimples, especially when stained. It is, therefore, a favorite for paneling.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is light reddish to yellowish brown and sapwood is yellowish white.
density icon
Density – It is moderately strong and lightweight. But heavier than eastern white pine.
grain icon
Grain – Straight
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Ideal for construction lumber, plywood, and paneling. It is also used to make doors, windows and furniture, railway ties, mine props, and fence posts.
finishing icon
Finishing– Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.
lodgeploe pine wood
bedroom
white line
pitch pine wood
wooden tabel

Pitch pine

Pitch pine trees are also native to eastern North America. They can grow 50 to 60 feet in height with a trunk of 1-3 feet in diameter. The wood is resistant to fire and abrasion. The high resin content also makes it resistant to decay.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is reddish brown, sapwood is yellowish white.
density icon
Density – Soft and lightweight.
grain icon
Grain – Straight grained.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Heavy construction, plywood, wood pulp, shipbuilding, fences, railroad ties, and veneers.
finishing icon
Finishing– Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.
white line

Scots pine

Scots pine trees are native to northern Europe and Asia. The trees are susceptible to red band needle blight. Scots pine timber is one of the strongest softwoods available. The wood is also resinous. It is less durable, but not susceptible to lyctid borer.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is light reddish brown. Sapwood ranges from pale yellow to nearly white.
density icon
Density – Reasonably strong and lightweight.
grain icon
Grain – Straight grained.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Construction, paneling, boxes/crates, poles, flooring, and interior joinery.
finishing icon
Finishing– Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.
scots-pine wood
dining tabel
white line
white spruce
white bedroom

White Spruce

All the species of spruce trees are native to northern temperate and boreal (taiga) regions. They are also widely distributed throughout the mountain ranges in continental Europe. White spruce wood turns, planes, and molds nicely. It has excellent nailing and screwing abilities. However, it is only slightly resistant to decay.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is creamy white to light yellow or to red-brown. It is not distinct from sapwood.
density icon
Density – Moderately hard.
grain icon
Grain – Fine and consistently straight.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Pulpwood, construction lumber, joinery, millwork, and crates.
finishing icon
Finishing – Finishes nicely, but when using a sanding sealer, gel stain or toner is recommended.
white line

Red Cedar

Red cedar is a common name for various varieties of cedars growing in the eastern United States region. The red cedar wood (also known as aromatic red cedar) is remarkably resistant to both decay and insect attack. It is highly aromatic and planes and shapes easily. However, it only has moderate screw and nail holding properties.

color icon
Color – Heartwood tends to be red or violet-brown. Sapwood is pale yellow or whitish.
density icon
Density – Hard texture and lightweight.
grain icon
Grain – Straight grain with many knots.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Fence posts, closet and chest linings, carvings, outdoor furniture, birdhouses, pencils, closet interiors, bows, and small wooden specialty items.
finishing icon
Finishing – Finishes well, but oil finishes are recommended.
red-cedar wood
drawers
white line
FIR wood
chair

Fir

Fir trees are located throughout most of the North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They usually grow in the mountains. It comes with low shrinkage and reasonable stability. It is also strong and elastic.

color icon
Color – Sapwood is yellowish to reddish-white. Fresh heartwood can be yellowish-brown to reddish-yellow in color. However, it darkens quickly to a brown-red to dark-red.
density icon
Density – Medium-weight and fairly hard.
grain icon
Grain – Straight and plain, sometimes wavy.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Veneer, plywood, and construction lumber.
finishing icon
Finishing – Finishes nicely. However, you need to take into account the fairly high sap content, which may require a coat of paint.
white line

Larch

Larch trees are native to the cooler temperate northern hemisphere. Larch wood is moderate-to-poorly resistant to fungal attack. However, it is durable and very resistant to rot and pests due to the presence of natural resins. Although knots are common, they are usually small.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is yellow to medium reddish brown. Sapwood is almost white.
density icon
Density – Very good strength and medium weight.
grain icon
Grain – Straight or spiraled with an oily texture.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Veneer, utility poles, fence posts, flooring, boatbuilding, exterior and interior joinery, and construction lumber.
finishing icon
Finishing – Should be sealed before finishing to prevent bleed-through. Should be sealed before finishing to prevent bleed-through.
larch wood
wooden tea tabel
white line
western hemlock wood
chairs

Western Hemlock

Western Hemlock species are native to the west coast of North America, growing in the coastal rainforests of Alaska and British Columbia. The wood has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. It can turn, plane, and shape smoothly. It has a moderate nail and screw holding ability. It also has a reputation for termite resistance. However, outdoor uses require good finishing for avoiding quick decay.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is light reddish brown. Sapwood is slightly lighter in color.
density icon
Density – Soft and light.
grain icon
Grain – Straight, with a coarse and uneven texture.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Boxes, pallets, crates, plywood, framing, cabinets, joinery, and millwork.
finishing icon
Finishing – Responds best to clear finishes.
white line

Yew (European Yew)

Yew is native to western, central, and southern Europe. The heartwood of the yew tree is very tough and durable. The best timber, however, comes from trees growing in mountainous areas. It is also highly elastic. Thus, it can readily bend, spring back, and remain durable. It is also resistant to most insect attacks.

color icon
Color – Heartwood is orangish brown to darker brown or purplish hue. Sapwood is usually a thin band of pale yellow or tan color.
density icon
Density – Soft, flexible, and moderately heavy.
grain icon
Grain – Straight, with a fine uniform texture.
common-uses icon
Common Uses – Bows (archery), veneer, cabinet making, furniture, carvings, and musical instruments.
finishing icon
Finishing – Finishes well, but must be sealed with water-based or oil-based polyurethane.
european yew wood
tabel

Qualities of Wood

tree peice
tree log

Timber is the type of wood used for construction, primarily for structural support such as beams and pillars.

tree

Usually, timber comes from matured trees by cutting them into beams and planks after peeling logs. However, to fulfill its function, timber needs to have certain qualities. Additionally, it needs to be devoid of any defects or imperfections.

Durability

Freshly cut timber gives off a sweet smell. It also has a shiny appearance. Both these features are signs of high quality.

However, different countries have set timber appearance grades of their own. For example, Australia and New Zealand have three appearance grades: Grade A, B, and C, with A being the best-quality appearance.

grades

The surface of A-grade timber needs to be sanded to a minimum 60 grit finish. On the other hand, Grade B is commonly used in construction, while Grade C is used in packaging and similar applications.

In Nordic timber markets such as Sweden, appearance grading is based on knots, grains, top rupture, fungal attack, deformation, insect damage, discoloration, and dimension deviations, among other things.

tree logs

The standard for appearance grading of softwoods is SS-EN 1611-1.

cen-logo-new

Color:

It should also have a dark color. Light color usually indicates less strength. However, different woods have different colors.

For example, freshly cut hardwood like Walnut will have a dark brown color,

softwood as deodar
walunt-dark-brown-color

while softwoods such as Deodar and Pine have golden yellow and whitish shades respectively.

Durability

High-quality timber is remarkably durable. It should be resistant to climatic changes, pests such as termites, and fungal attacks.

A few types of wood such as cedar and redwood are naturally resistant to termites. However, resistance is limited to only heartwood and bark.

Usually, pressure-treated timber is more resistant to insect and decay compared to untreated wood. In this process, a preservative gets embedded in the pores of the wood, forming a chemical barrier that can withstand termites and decay.

There are different grades and classes of wood based on their resistance to various environmental factors.

fungi-resistance

There are 5 classes of natural durability to resistance against wood-destroying fungi.

Class 1 – Very Durable

Class 2 – Durable

Class 3 – Moderately Durable

Class 4 – Slightly Durable

Class 5 – Not Durable

bettle-resistance

There are two classes of durability against an attack by wood-boring beetles..

Class D – Durable

Class S – Not Durable

marine-organism-resistance

There are three classes of durability against an attack by marine organisms.

Class D – Durable

Class M – Moderately durable

Class S – Not durable

termite-resistance

Finally, there are three classes of durability against an attack by termites.

Class D – Durable

Class M – Moderately durable

Class S – Not durable

Elasticity

Elasticity is also an important attribute of timber. It allows the wood to regain its original shape with maximum accuracy. This property plays a crucial role in making sports and construction equipment.

formula

E = Young’s modulus, pressure units

σ = uniaxial stress, or uniaxial force per unit surface, pressure units

ε = strain, or proportional deformation (change in length divided by original length), dimensionle

The elasticity and load-carrying capacity of wood are substantially higher in the direction parallel to the grain compared to the perpendicular direction.

That’s why structural (construction) timber is sawn into boards with the long axis of the board aligned parallel to the grain. It provides better dimensional stability or resistance to distortion.

construction

Fibers

The arrangement of the fibers and the orientation of the microfibrils influence various qualities of wood such as elasticity. Usually, hardwood fibers have small lumen diameters and thick cell walls compared to softwoods.

wood-plate
wood-plate
wood-plate
wood-plate

When using as timber, the fibers should be straight, compact, and firm. Wood with twisted fibers possesses little strength as opposed to wood with straight fibers.

wood-plates

Fire Resistance

The wood should be resistant to fire. Usually, when timber or wood gets exposed to fire, it goes through a thermal breakdown, during which a layer of charcoal forms on the burning surface.

The layer acts as an insulator providing fire-resistance to the inner core of the wood.

fire-reistance layer
tree-logs

This self-protecting nature of the wood provides the basis for its natural fire-resistance. That’s why denser wood often has higher fire resistance.

Hardness

Hardness is an inherent quality. It will change depending on the species of the wood you choose. In most applications, such as construction, flooring, and sports equipment, the wood needs to withstand deterioration due to mechanical wear and tear and physical abrasion.

construction
flooring

The Janka hardness rating system is a universally accepted industry standard to determine the hardness of a timber sample. It runs from zero (softest) to 4,000 lbs (hardest). Brazilian Walnut is one of the hardest woods with a score of 3,684 lbs on the Janka’s Scale.

wooden plate

Shape

High-quality timber will always retain its shape and structural integrity during the seasoning or conversion process. Seasoning involves removing moisture from freshly cut wood.

cut-wood shape

The dried wood is considerably lighter and stronger than un-seasoned wood. It is also easier to finish and less likely to warp or mold.

dried wood

Sound

When struck, high-quality timber produces a clear ringing. The hollow sound is a sign of low moisture content and high dryness.

hollow sound

A dull heavy sound, on the other hand, is an indication of internal decay or high moisture content. In other words, wet wood produces a dull thud when struck.

Dull thud sound- Web Product

dull thud sound

Strength

It should be able to withstand structural loads, especially in construction. Usually, the strength increases with density.

Timber has three types of strengths including bending strength, shearing strength, and tensile strength.

Bending strength & Tensile strength

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Shearing strength

The bending strength is as good as the tensile strength in a flawless piece of timber. Shearing strength, on the other hand, is usually 10-15% of its tensile strength in the direction of the grain.

piece of timber

Toughness

It should be able to endure shocks and vibrations. In other words, it is the ability of timber to change its shape.

shock-endurance
vibration endurance

Usually, woods with narrow annual rings are the toughest. You can bend such wood easily without splitting them up.

wood rings

Water Permeability

Ideally, water permeability of timber should be zero. However, in reality, using the timber with the lowest water permeability is used. If the wood has higher water permeability, it will quickly absorb moisture, resulting in fast decay.

Water permeability is a critical factor in determining the longevity of timber. Usually, the size of openings connecting the wood cells determines the level of water permeability. As a result, it will change from species to species

water-permeability

Weight

Usually, heavy timbers are the toughest and hardest. However, unseasoned green wood has a higher moisture content which increases its weight.

heavy-timber

Thus, only seasoned and heavy timber should be considered for structural end-use.

Workability

Any type of wood with excellent workability is easy to machine, nail, and glue. It also has notable turning, carving, and bending properties. It can also retain the intricately carved shapes and designs without degrading for years.

Usually, woods with high resin content tend to be less workable as they clog the teeth of the saw or any other tools. Spiral, interlocked, or otherwise irregular grain also makes it difficult to work on woods.

high resin content
irregular grain

Difficult to work on woods.

Janka Wood
Hardness Scale

janka-wood

The Janka hardness scale measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444” steel ball into the wood to the half of its diameter.

A universal wood hardness scale was developed to determine the relative hardness of timber.

steel-ball

You can use the Janka scale to determine the relative hardness of both domestic and exotic wood samples (usually 1” or 2” thickness).

This scale is one of the best ways to measure the ability of the timber to withstand wear and tear. Usually, the higher the Janka scale rating, the harder the wood. The steel ball leaves a hemispherical indentation with an area of 200 mm2 in the wood sample. Different units are used to express the wood hardness scale rating in different countries. In the United States, the measurement is in pounds-force, abbreviated as lbf.

Wood – JANKA HARDNESS (IN LBF)

Wood Processing

wood-processing

Wood for Furniture

wood-for-furniture

Once the wood is processed, there are several vigorous procedures it must undergo to be converted into furniture. Wood is simply a material waiting to be altered and crafted into a final product. Furniture is the end goal in which the wood has been manipulated and shaped into something that can be proudly displayed. Here are the steps involved in this process.

Limbing and Bucking

Humans have used wood for making furniture for thousands of years. Despite several technical breakthroughs, mankind has not yet found anything as versatile as wood for making furniture. It is also remarkably resilient and requires little maintenance.

Unlike most other materials, such as leather hides, for instance, wood can have multiple lifetimes through refinishing. Thus, wooden furniture offers excellent value for money. It also fosters a sense of natural beauty, looks, and feel. It’s no wonder why wood has remained a popular choice for furniture.

Before we move ahead lets a look some of the interesting numbers.

In 2017, furniture and home furnishings store sales amounted to about 113.78 billion U.S. dollars.

Furniture and home furnishings store sales in the United States from 1992 to 2017 (in billion U.s. dollars)

sales-in-US

The booming e-commerce industry has also had an influence on the sales of furniture.

Furniture and home furnishings sales as percentage of total retail e-commerce sales in the United States from 2016 to 2022

E-COMMERCE-SALES

Average annual expenditure on furniture per consumer unit in the United States from 2007 to 2017 (in U.S. dollars)*

average-annual-expenditure

Here is the average price paid by households for selected furniture items in 2016, by generations.

sofas
chairs
rugs
  • In 2018, the United States had the largest furniture market with revenue of $304,270.48 million.
  • On the other hand, the global furniture market was valued at around $331.21 billion in 2017. It is expected to reach approximately $472.30 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of around 5.2% between 2018 and 2024

Whether you are using smart furniture, going for a modern look, or a Victorian decor, wood plays a critical role in furniture making. For example, a recliner, irrespective of how contemporary it seems, will always have a wooden frame.

Only wood can withstand the kind of motion or weight shifting a recliner experiences. Plus, using high-end wood for exposed areas such as arms, back, and feet, renders a classic look. The bottom line is people will continue to use the best wood for furniture as long as it is available.

From Wood to
Furniture

wood-to-furniture

Although you can use different types of wood for furniture, it will still need to go through a series of processes before it turns into a beautiful piece. The furniture making process can change depending on the desired end-product. But, a few steps are universal.

What Type of Wood
is Best for Your
Furniture?

best-furniture

Almost any type of wood can be used to make furniture. However, the quality and market value of the unit will depend on the different types of wood, as well as the uses and features. But, which is the best wood for furniture?

The answer will depend on a variety of factors including cost, durability, color, your space, what you want to build, etc. It is also essential to know where to buy wood for furniture making that suits your budget and needs.

pine-wood-circle
Pine

Pine is inexpensive, lightweight, and readily workable. It is often used to make rustic furniture pieces. However, it is prone to scratches and dents.

white-oak
White Oak

White oak is beautiful, heavy, durable, and suitable for cabinetry and kitchen furniture. It has a distinctive look when finished. It is also resistant to warping.

maple-wood-circle
Maple

Being one of the hardest, Maplewood is suitable for heavy-use items such as dressers and kitchen cabinets. It can be stained to mimic an expensive wood.

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Walnut

Walnut is extremely beautiful. It can withstand very intricate carving. That’s why it is often used to make headboards, ornate antique-style dining tables, and mantels. Oil finish is more than enough to bring out its natural color.

cherry-wood-circle
Cherry

Cherrywood is probably the best wood for indoor pieces of furniture, such as carved chairs and tables. It is highly durable and resistant to decay and abrasions. It is an all-around great wood. However, it is expensive.

How to Identify
the Ideal Wood for
Furniture

ideal-wood-for-furniture

The forests of the world are chock full of different wood types. There is a huge array of materials out there that can be used to create practical, durable, and exotic furniture. Each has its own unique qualities and purpose in the construction process. However, some are more ideal than others.

Unfortunately, timber suppliers do not always label the materials they carry. That being said, you should have a good idea for how to properly identify the right woods. The extensive range of treatments can make it challenging to distinguish certain types or species.

When selecting wood for furniture, here are some tips to get you started.

Woodworking Tools

woodworking-tools

Buying readymade furniture is fun, but making your own (DIY furniture) is even more fun. So, what do you need to build your own study table? Besides honing your carpentry skills, you will need to know about basic woodworking tools. What types of tools should you invest in?

From simple hand tools to power tools, there is a wide range of carpenter gadgets out there. Some will see more use than others. Let’s discuss some of the essentials.

block-plane

Block Plane

It is one of the compact and versatile carpenter tools that go back to Roman times. It can be used to tackle end grain cuts, level corner joints, smoothen away the machine marks and easing of sharp edges on furniture components.

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Chisel and Mallet

A chisel is also a hand tool often used for cutting or carving wood. There is a wide range of woodworking chisels meant for carving, framing, cornering, paring, skewing, mortising, bevel edging, and butting. Chisels are almost always used with a wooden mallet.

chisel-and-mallet
circular-saw

Circular Saw

A circular saw is a power-saw. The circular blade with sharp teeth will make smoother cuts. It is ideal for cutting all types of plywood, sheetrock, and framing materials. However, it only makes straight lines and miter cuts.

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wood-vertical-img

Claw Hammer

In the woodwork, a claw hammer is often used to drive nails and fit parts. The claw is used for pulling out nails. The most commonly purchased claw hammer is the 20 oz.

claw-hammer
handsaw

Hand Saw

Hand saws are often used to make the cuts that power saws can’t. There is a wide variety of hand saws including back saw, bow saw, crosscut saw, hacksaw, Japanese saw, pruning saw, and keyhole saw. A hand saw can make circular cuts if needed.

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wood-vertical-img

Jigsaw

A jigsaw is used for cutting smooth curves and intricate shapes. It works much faster than a hacksaw or handsaw, saving you a lot of time and energy. The blade operates in an up-and-down motion at high speeds.

jig-saw
jointer tool

Jointer

The jointer smooths the wooden surfaces that won’t go through your surface planer. It can also flatten edges. Thus, it helps you to salvage bowed or warped timber, which is cheap to buy.

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wood-vertical-img

Power Drill

A power drill is a must-have on your woodworking tools list. Corded drills are less expensive and can be more versatile than a cordless drill. Most power drills come with variable speeds.

power-drill
random-orbital-sander

Random Orbital Sander

This tool is the quickest and easiest way to sand wood. The disk moves in random orbits, resulting in ultra-smooth sanding. The design also allows you to sand in any direction.

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wood-vertical-img

Router and Router Bits

You will need a router and appropriate router bits to hollow out an area or shape the edges of the wood. You can either buy a hand router or a power router according to your budget and woodwork requirements.

router
screwdriver

Screwdrivers

When doing any sort of woodworking, you will need many different types of screwdrivers. These categories include ratcheting, cabinet, star drivers, Phillips head, flathead, and small and medium slot screwdrivers. Make sure they are intended for heavy-duty woodworking.

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wood-vertical-img

Smoothing Plane

The smoothing plane is a hand-tool that dates back hundreds of years, like the block plane. A well-tuned smoothing plane can impart a glasslike finish to your woodwork.

smoothing-plane
tape-measure

Square and Tape Measure

Measuring is a fundamental part of woodworking. You will need a measuring tape, framing square, try square, combination square, sliding T-bevel, and a ruler. Don’t forget to buy marking pencils, a knife, and an awl as well.

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wood-vertical-img

Thickness Planer

A thickness planer allows you to give a wooden board consistent thickness and smooth both surfaces. Though expensive compared to hand tools, a thickness planer is worth the cost, as it produces a flat surface in a single pass.

thickness-planer-
workbench

Workbench

You’ll need a workbench to make woodworking tasks easier. It should be sturdy and heavy enough to remain still while you are working on the wood. There are many varieties of workbenches.

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Parting Words

Whether you are a woodworking enthusiast or just looking for wooden furniture, knowing about the different types of woods and their characteristics can help you make more informed decisions. Hopefully, this guide will help you answer questions such as “Which is the best wood for flooring?” or “Which is the most expensive wood?” or “Which woodworking tools do I need for DIY furniture projects?”

If you still have questions, feel free to share them with us. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

woods