If you’re a woodworker, the critical information on wood for woodworking can be a lengthy task. Let me tell you if you want to know about hardwood, softwood, and framing lumber. There are various types of wood that come under these two main kinds of wood. You should know about all the best wood for furniture and which categories are the most substantial wood and cheapest wood for your use.
Let’s learn more about types of wood such as hardwoods, softwoods, framing wood, and the benefits of various wood and their primary applications.
VARIOUS TYPES OF HARDWOOD AND SOFTWOOD
There are various types of softwoods and hardwoods. Different woods come down from the tree they’re harvested from. For example, softwoods come from conifer trees. The trees produce cones and have needles. There are some common types of softwood trees: fir, redwood, pine, cedar, and spruce.
On the other hand, hardwoods come from trees that don’t have cones or needles. Instead, these trees have seeds and leaves. There are some common types of hardwood, including walnut, cherry, oak, and maple.
CEDAR
Cedar is one of the most popular types of wood for woodworking. This wood features a reddish color, and it is one of the softest woods available. In addition, it is a straight grain wood and has a subtle aromatic smell. As a result, western red cedars are not challenging to find. It is available at most home stores, and it comes at a moderate price.
People believe that the aromatic smell of this wood helps to ward off evils. For example, cedar is often used to build closets.
It’s also very famous for outdoor building jobs. For example, cedar is usually used for fencing, siding, patio furniture, and decks. But sometimes, this wood can be irritating because of its natural oils and aromatic properties. In addition, this wood can be odd to some; thus, the wood shouldn’t be used to make kitchen utensils or other products connected to people’s skin for a long time.
PINE
Pine is an available softwood that is always used for many various applications. Pine is one of the most durable, affordable, and sustainable types of wood available in the market. Pine is very soft, and you can easily carve. As pine trees grow fast, pine is bountiful for woodworkers, and they can use it in their projects. Pine has different colors.
Pine is considered an indoor wood unless some people treat it for outdoor use. Pine is easy to stain, paint or finish. There are various types of wood for furniture, and pine is absolutely the best choice. It’s popularly known as one of the best woods for beginner woodworking.
REDWOOD
Redwood is generally soft and leaves a reddish tint. Redwood comes from redwood trees that have a straight grain. According to your convenience, the wood can be easily cut and formed to shape and length. You can usually buy the wood from home stores at a reasonable price. It is one of the cheapest woods.
Redwood is excellent for outdoor projects because of its moisture resistance. For example, people make flat wood boards by using them to build garden borders and retaining walls. Redwood is also used indoors in cabinets, tables, and veneers.
Some hardest wood in North America
MAHOGANY
Mahogany is a hardwood wood whose tint ranges from reddish-brown to deep-red. Mahogany is soft rather than other softwoods. The wood has a grain that is straight and has a medium texture. Many woodworkers love using Mahogany as the wood has a beautiful appearance and easy workability. Mahogany is generally used to make instruments such as pianos and guitars.
A problem with mahogany is that it doesn’t grow in sustainable forests. Not increasing in sustainable forests means that you may not find it at your local store. Instead, you have to go to a lumberyard to get this wood, and it’s going to be costly. If you’re a new woodworker looking for wood to practice with, then it’s probably a better choice to buy more affordable wood.
CHERRY
Cherry is a general type of wood that can be quickly finished and stained. Cherry’s sapwood is a whitish color, and the principal wood has a reddish-brown color. It is similar to mahogany in the matter of hardness and effortless wood to work with.
Cherry wood is used for architectural woodwork, furniture, and cabinets. Unfortunately, it’s harder to select wood at home stores if it’s cherry. So you’ll have to buy it from a lumberyard. Also, Cherry is an expensive hardwood because of increased demand.
Final words
Every wood is good in its way. One needs to buy desirable types of wood according to their convenience. When working on smaller tasks or about larger pieces, choosing your favorite wood is better. We hope to satisfy you with our listing of top wood to contribute to your purchase.