| Lost when it comes to wooden furniture? Can't | | | | As its value is so great, it is generally veneered on to |
| make out ebony from teak? Mahogany and maple | | | | some less valuable wood. The heaviest mahogany is |
| look the same to you? Don't know what wood to | | | | generally the best. |
| use for what piece furniture? | | | | Maple |
| Fret not. Even if you can't decide between Oak | | | | Strength: Very strong and hard. Difficult to work with. |
| Furniture and Mahogany Furniture, here's a ready | | | | High resistance to abrasion, indentation, and shock. |
| guide to make you an expert at recognizing different | | | | Color: White to reddish yellow. |
| woods, decide their finishes and know what they are | | | | Texture: Straight or bird's-eye grain and fine texture. |
| best suited for. So now you can go ahead and buy | | | | Uses: Furniture, flooring, cutting surfaces, cabinets, |
| your hickory coffee table set or the Amish Furniture | | | | decorative woodwork, musical instruments, bowling |
| Set you've been eyeing with complete confidence. | | | | pins and utensils |
| The woods that are used for furniture making fall | | | | Oak |
| into three categories: Hardwoods, Softwoods and | | | | Strength: Heavy and strong. |
| Composites. | | | | Color: White to light brown. |
| Even the term 'hardwood' or 'softwood' is deceptive. | | | | Texture: Straight grain and medium to coarse |
| Hardwoods aren't necessarily harder, denser material. | | | | texture. Finishes well. |
| Softwood trees are evergreen trees while the | | | | Uses: Primary pieces which are not carved, joinery, |
| hardwoods are got from deciduous trees. | | | | turning and veneer. |
| Hardwoods are considered the highest quality and are | | | | Rosewood |
| the most expensive. Hardwood furniture is least likely | | | | Strength: Very strong and hard. |
| to warp or bend. Softwoods are less expensive than | | | | Color: Dark, with some curl. Purple to black. |
| hardwoods, but they require extra care and are less | | | | Texture: Straight grain, medium texture and streaked |
| durable. Composites are manufactured and not grown | | | | figure. |
| and are the cheapest form of wood. Provided it's | | | | Uses: Furniture, cabinetry, paneling, mathematical |
| affordable, you should always go for hardwood | | | | instruments, brush backs, inlay, sculpture, boat |
| furniture. Here we will look at the properties of some | | | | construction, hammer heads, and decorative flooring. |
| of the common hardwoods: | | | | Satinwood |
| Ash | | | | Strength: Very hard and strong. |
| Strength: Very strong. Not likely to split. | | | | Color: Orange to golden brown. |
| Color: White to light brown. | | | | Texture: Striped or interlocked grain and fine texture. |
| Texture: Straight grain and medium to coarse | | | | Finishes well. |
| texture. | | | | Uses: Furniture, cabinets, inlay, joinery and turning. |
| Uses: Secondary pieces in connection with Oak such | | | | Walnut |
| as bentwood furniture, frames and veneers. | | | | Strength: Strong and durable. Less inclined to warp. |
| Beech | | | | Color: Dark brown to purple and black. |
| Strength: Very strong. | | | | Texture: Straight grain and medium to coarse |
| Color: Reddish brown with dark brown specks, slightly | | | | texture. |
| paler than that of birch. | | | | Uses: Primary pieces, tables, chairs, cabinets, drawers, |
| Texture: Straight grain and coarse texture. | | | | joinery, turning and veneer. |
| Uses: Bentwood furniture, framework of chairs, | | | | Alder |
| tables, and bedsteads, furniture joints etc. | | | | Strength: Very strong. Easily carved and finished. |
| Birch | | | | Color: Yellow to light brown. |
| Strength: Very strong. | | | | Texture: Straight grain and even texture. |
| Color: Pale yellowish brown color. | | | | Uses: Turnery and primary pieces. |
| Texture: Fine grain and even texture. Works and | | | | Cherry |
| finishes well. | | | | Strength: Strong and hard. Easy to work. |
| Uses: It is used in the better kinds of low-priced | | | | Color: Red brown to red. |
| furniture. | | | | Texture: Straight grain and fine texture. |
| If polished or varnished, it looks like satinwood, but is | | | | Uses: Primary pieces and turnery. |
| darker, and by staining can be made to resemble | | | | Elm |
| Honduras mahogany. | | | | Strength: Very strong. |
| Chestnut | | | | Color: Light reddish brown. |
| Strength: Fairly strong. It is light, elastic and very | | | | Texture: Straight or interlocked grain and coarse |
| durable. | | | | texture. |
| Color: Grey to white. Looks like white oak. | | | | Uses: Furniture frames and secondary pieces. |
| Texture: Coarse grains and texture. | | | | Hickory |
| Uses: Large-scale infestation has depleted the | | | | Strength: Very hard and strong. Difficult to work with. |
| availability. | | | | Color: Sapwood is yellow white and heartwood is red |
| Ebony | | | | brown. |
| Strength: Heavy and strong. High decay resistance | | | | Texture: Straight to wavy grain and coarse texture. |
| but is brittle. | | | | Average finishing. |
| Color: Deep black color. | | | | Uses: Bentwood furniture and rustic furniture. |
| Texture: Straight or wavy grain with a fine even | | | | Teak |
| texture. | | | | Strength: Moderately strong. Low stiffness and shock |
| Uses: Luxury furniture, carving, musical instrument | | | | resistance. Moderate bending strength. |
| parts, primary pieces and inlay. | | | | Color: Yellow brown to dark brown. |
| It is very expensive so Pear and other woods dyed | | | | Texture: Straight to wavy grain with coarse, uneven |
| black are often substituted for it. | | | | texture and rich figuring. |
| Mahogany | | | | Uses: Indoor or outdoor furniture, joinery, turning, and |
| Strength: Very strong. Easy to work. | | | | veneer. |
| Color: Reddish brown to dark red. | | | | Yellow Poplar |
| Texture: Interlocked or straight grain, often with a | | | | Strength: Soft and light. Easy to work and finish. |
| ribbon figure, and a moderately coarse texture. | | | | Color: Sapwood is white, heartwood is greenish |
| Excellent finishing qualities. | | | | brown. |
| Uses: Tables, chairs, carved pieces, cabinetry, high | | | | Texture: Straight grain and fine texture. |
| class joinery, interior trim, boat building, vehicle bodies, | | | | Uses: Carved members, joinery and smaller pieces. |
| paneling, plywood, and decorative veneers. | | | | |