Types of Wood for

Woodworking

If you are planning to design custom furniture for your

new home, it will be wise to first determine what type of

raw material to use for there are many varieties of wood

that are used for furniture, with each having their own

characteristics, properties and distinctive marks. The

material selected will help in achieving the finished look

and feel that you desire as well as in defining its eventual

strength. Below are the pros and cons of the few most

popular types of wood commonly used for furniture

that you need to know about.

Image by Joe Mabel via Wikimedia Commons

Pine

As one of the three types of SPF Lumber class

(Spruce, Pine and Fir) softwoods, pine is an

inexpensive, lightweight wood that makes great

furniture. Available readily in white or pale yellow and

in several varieties, pine is very easy to work with.

Pros: Low cost; Takes paint/stain well; Resists

shrinking and swelling

Cons: Prone to scratches and dents

Image by Beentree via Wikimedia Commons

Maple

Another popular wood used in building furniture,

maple is available in both soft and hard forms. Maple is

harder as compared to other types of woods and its

fine texture and even grain also makes it more stable.

Pros: Ultra-durable; Dense; Distinct look; Resistant to

shocks and dents

Cons: Tend to change colour; Humidity Issues

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Oak

The most widely used hardwood, oak is distinctively

grained with the grain having beautiful prominent rays

to it. Durable and long-lasting, furniture made from oak

wood will look more traditional and elegant, which

explain why it is such popular choice of hardwood.

Pros: Resilient; Resistant to moisture; Unique; Attractive

Cons: Bulky; Expensive; Heavy; Prone to scratches;

Humidity Issues

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Cherry

Also known as fruitwood, cherry is an all-around

great wood that is easy to carve and polish, and ages

beautifully. With a hardness of 2 on a scale of 1 to 5,

this light to red-brown wood with closed, distinctive

grain, is a very common wood for furniture-making.

Pros: Strong; Easily shaped; Resists warping; Versatile

Cons: Expensive

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Teak

Varies from rich golden-yellow to dark brown, with

dark and light streaks, teak is becoming rarer these

days. With an oily feel and a golden-brown colour,

teak is synonymous with fine outdoor furniture. In

spite of its steep price tag, teak is valuable both for its

elegance and its durability.

Pros: Strong; Durable; Highly weather-resistant

Cons: Very expensive; Extremely heavy

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