How to choose the best wood for the project
Choosing the best wood for a project can seem like a daunting task at times. In this article, we will help you learn more about the different species of wood and what they have to offer so that you can make the right decision for your next project.
Lets start by asking a few questions to get you headed in the right direction.
- What are some common wood choices?
- What type of durability do you need?
- What kind of finish are you looking for?
White Oak
Let's address the elephant in the room. White Oak is by far one of the most sought after woods and one of our personal favorites to work with. This is for good reason. White oak offers a good balance of yellow and brown tones while remaining very neutral. It is incredibly hard and takes a stain very well. You cannot go wrong with white oak and it is suitable for any potential project. White oak is one of the most expensive options when looking at budgeting a project.
Walnut
Let's move to the other side of the spectrum now. Walnut is another species of hardwood that seems to always be running low in supply. It is highly sought after and therefore comes at a premium price. Walnut comes in a natural dark brown that many stains try to achieve. It also offers very pronounced swirls and characteristics in the grain. Walnut is very hard and is suitable for all projects. This is the most expensive option for furniture building besides some of the very exotic species.
Cherry
Cherry has recently fallen out of popularity with mainstream home design. However, it is a very unique wood with a lot to offer. Freshly milled, it often has very red and pink undertones. Over time though, many of those red hues will begin to darken into a nice light brown color. It often has grain characteristics very similar to walnut. Cherry is a bit on the softer side, so it is not the most durable option if you are looking at a high traffic surface. It does not stain well, and often turns out drab and blotchy with stain. We recommended using only clear finish coats on cherry. Cherry is one of the more economical hardwoods and can help with a project budget when compared to white oak or walnut. It is also a great choice for custom barn doors.
Maple
Maple is one of the naturally lightest colored hardwoods that you can find. It is available in harder or softer varieties and offers a clean grain pattern that is often used in cabinetry and drawers. Maple is harder than cherry, so it is suitable for most builds. Standard maple is usually devoid of some of the more rustic characteristics found in some other woods. It usually provides a very uniform look to a finished product. There are often very few knots and the grain is usually very subdued. Maple can be stained but the subtle grain characteristics often get overshadowed by most stains put on it. It is usually similar in price to cherry so it can be a good option for many tricky budgets.
Alder
Alder is often sold as a hardwood but it is on the very soft side of the hardwood scale. Just a bit harder than pine, it can be scratched fairly easily by a human finger nail. If you are looking at ordering a heavy use item such as a custom coffee table, bench, dining table, or cabinet, this is probably not the best choice. Alder is however a beautiful wood with substantial yet charming grain characteristics. It has a light, warm natural tone and takes stain better than most woods. Alder is the most affordable hardwood and can be stained to look similar to walnut, so it is often a great choice for those on a tighter budget. It is also a terrific choice for interior doors or custom barn doors. In fact, it is our standard wood used on our custom barn doors.
We hope you found this helpful!
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