If you're a woodworker, a carpenter, or just generally interested in working with wood, you've probably asked yourself what the most common wood species are. It's an important question to ask because different woods have different properties and will respond differently to various treatments. So, what are the most common types of wood? Read on to find out!
Oak
Oak is a type of hardwood that is prized for its strength, durability, and beauty. It is frequently used in the construction of furniture, flooring, and cabinets, and it is also a popular choice for smoking meats and aging wine. Oak wood is characterized by a tight grain pattern and light coloration. It is an extremely strong and dense material, making it ideal for high-traffic areas or areas subject to wear and tear.
Maple
Maple is a hardwood that originates from the sugar maple, a deciduous tree (one that loses its leaves each fall). Its heartwood is reddish brown in hue, while the sapwood ranges from almost white to cream with golden overtones. The sapwood, rather than the heartwood, of the maple tree is what is sought after for its use in woodworking. It is rather simple to deal with. However, because of its high density, it is more difficult to handle with hand tools than most other domestics.
Fir
Fir wood is an evergreen conifer that is renowned for its strength and durability. The wood is dense and straight-grained, making it ideal for a variety of construction projects. The light color of fir wood is since it has a lower density than other types of wood. This lower density makes fir wood lighter in weight, which is why it is often used for furniture and other applications where weight is a concern.
Birch
Birch wood is a type of hardwood that is known for its light color and straight grain. It is often used in furniture and cabinets because it is easy to work with and takes stains well. Birch is also a popular choice for floors and paneling because it is durable and has a beautiful natural grain. Birch wood is harvested from birch trees, which are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
Pine
Pine wood is a type of softwood that is commonly used in construction, furniture-making, and woodworking. Pine is a versatile material that can be stained or painted to match any decor. Pine is a popular choice for building cabinets, shelving, and other storage solutions. It can also be used to make floors, walls, and ceilings. When pine is used for flooring, it is typically finished with a varnish or polyurethane to protect it from scratches and scuffs. Pine furniture is often left unfinished so that the natural beauty of the wood can shine through. Whether you are looking for a sturdy piece of furniture or a beautiful piece of flooring, pine wood may be the perfect material for your wood projects.
Cedar
Cedar is a type of coniferous tree that is known for its Reddish-brown color. The wood is perfect for outdoor use because of its natural resistance to rot, decay, and insect damage. Cedar is also a very popular material for indoor furniture because it has a unique smell that many people find relaxing. In addition to its visual appeal and soothing scent, cedar is also lightweight and easy to work with.
Teak
Teak wood is a heavy, close-grained hardwood obtained from the Tectona grandis tree, which is native to South and Southeast Asia. Teak has a smooth grain and texture that is yellow in color. It has a high concentration of natural oils and rubber, making it robust, resilient, and extremely resistant to extreme weather conditions and rotting even when left untreated.
Poplar
Poplar wood is a hardwood sourced from the tulip poplar tree. The heartwood of poplar wood is often light brown to creamy yellow. Sapwood is just slightly lighter in color and typically lacks significant differentiation from heartwood. Because it is lightweight and simple to work with, it is an excellent option for interior furniture pieces such as web frames and drawer sides.
Mahogany
Mahogany wood is an intensely colored timber that is one of the world's most precious wood species. It is recognized by its distinctive pink color, which evolves into a rich reddish-brown as the wood grows. Unlike other wood species such as oak or pine, mahogany has few knots or voids. This results in a clean, uniform grain pattern in the wood, making it perfect for luxury furniture and woodcraft.
Ash
Ash wood is one of the most popular hardwoods used in furniture making. It's coveted for its beautiful grain and its durability. Ash is a very strong and sturdy wood, making it ideal for chairs, tables, dressers, and other pieces of furniture that see a lot of use. It is also one of the more affordable hardwoods, which makes it a great option for budget-conscious shoppers. It is long-lasting, lightweight, and attractive, and it takes wood stains effectively. Its lightweight and shock-resistant properties have made it the go-to option for making items such as baseball bats and tool handles.
Sycamore
Similar to maple, the wood of sycamore trees is mostly sapwood, with some darker heartwood streaks seen on most boards. (However, it is not uncommon to find complete boards of heartwood as well.) The sapwood is white to light tan, with a deeper reddish brown heartwood. Sycamore also contains very prominent ray flecks on quartersawn surfaces, giving it a freckled look.
So now that you know all about the most common wood species, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start using this valuable information to make your next project a success! With such a variety of woods to choose from, it’s easy to find the perfect one for all wood projects. And remember, if you ever have any questions or need help choosing the right wood for your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to help!