COMMON WOOD TYPES AND THEIR SPECIES: WHAT TO CHOOSE.

Common Wood Types and Their Species: What to Choose.

Natural wood is the undisputed and permanent leader among materials for furniture manufacturing. You have decided to ennoble your interior with stylish and beautiful furniture made of natural wood, found a suitable company and now all that remains is to choose the most suitable wood for your project...

The choice is rich and the first thing you need to know is the properties of the material, because our carpenters and cabinetmakers will make an impressive custom-made set for a living room and children's room, kitchen or cafe, library or office, which will delight you for many years.

Wood properties.

Each type and species of wood has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Physical properties:

Wood density, to determine it, a classification is used in 3 categories:

• soft (less than 540 kg / m3) is used in most building and craft materials; species: pine, alder, spruce, fir, cedar, linden, aspen;

• hard (from 550 to 740 kg/m3) is used in certain types of materials; species: larch, yew, birch, beech, elm, ash;

• extra hard (more than 750 kg/m3) – often used to make stairs, parquet and expensive furniture; species: acacia, hornbeam, oak, walnut.

Color: Natural wood shades vary widely, from yellow to black. Choose to your taste: yellow (birch, linden, spruce and aspen), brown & gray-brown (cedar and beech, poplar, pear, plum, alder and larch), red (red tree & mahogany, padauk, yew), pink-violet (lilac) and black (Makassar, bog oak and ebony).

Gloss: light wood (aspen and pine) has the greatest ability to reflect light from the surface.

Mechanical properties:

These include: strength, hardness, plasticity/flexibility, impact strength and the ability to hold metal fasteners. Wood deformation occurs due to mechanical damage, improper drying and storage or use of products.

Common types of wood and secrets of caring for solid wood products.

Oak:

This is a hardwood species with a beautiful structure and soft, rich brown color. One of the most durable and long-lasting species, its wood is easy to process. So oak has been among the undisputed favorites for many centuries. It has two varieties: white and red. The pattern of red oak with pinkish tint is less clear and it is softer, and white oak is more resistant to moisture. The oak wood is supplied for interior decoration and furniture manufacturing. It has a solid margin of safety and resistance to damage. Your oak dining set will fit well into the interior in Scandinavian, country or rustic styles.

Care tips: regularly remove dust with a dry cloth; and once a week, using damp leather, wipe the surfaces, and then polish dry with a woolen cloth.

Beech:

A hardwood: its wood has shades from beige-pink to reddish-brown. Beech is often used for flooring. Beech furniture is not subject to aging and is well suited for use in various interiors. Like ash wood, beech bends well and is extremely durable; the dense texture and light color of the solid wood give the room a feeling of warmth. Beech is well stained to imitate mahogany. However, it is difficult to process by hand, and the wood easily absorbs moisture. This makes beech unsuitable for use in coastal areas.

Care tips: the same as for oak furniture.

Ash:

This hardwood is valued for its picturesque structure: from light yellowish to soft brown. The wood bends well and is durable, so it is used in furniture production and in the manufacture of sports equipment. Ash is similar to oak in its characteristics, but its fibers are less prone to splitting. The wood is resistant to delamination and shrinkage, does not deform, which allows you to decorate the surface of products with carved ornaments. This wood is susceptible to insect pests and requires careful production processing. Over time, the shade becomes more silvery: it goes well with any design.

Care tips: avoid placing near heaters, ideal temperature: +25C. Remove dry dirt with a damp flannel, and then wipe the surface with a dry cloth. Remove greasy stains with a soap solution. If chips and scratches appear, sand them with sandpaper, cover with varnish or wax pencil. It is also recommended to periodically treat the surfaces with impregnations.

Maple:

Deciduous softwood: the wood has a beautiful yellowish tint. Maple parquet boards and lining are valuable design materials. Maple wood has been used since ancient times due to its wear resistance: for the manufacture of classic dining tables and chests of drawers. The richness of the color range allows to create office tables, chairs and cabinets, as well as decorative items from it. Another area of use: the production of high-quality plywood for interior decoration. Maple veneer is used for finishing products from less valuable species; for decorating and making musical instruments (it conducts sound waves well).

Care tips: wipe the furniture with a damp cloth, and then wipe all surfaces with a dry cloth. In case of heavy contamination, use a soap solution. Do not furnish rooms with high humidity with maple furniture; do not allow mechanical damage (scratches are treated with mastic).

Cherry:

It is a hardwood fruit tree. This dense wood is valued for its rich color with terracotta, pinkish and reddish shades that darken over time. At the same time, the wood gives off moisture well, almost does not deform when drying and is used to produce veneer, parquet, exclusive furniture and souvenirs.

Care tips: any defects that appear over time can be eliminated by restoration. Facades are refreshed by simple sanding and varnishing.

Alder:

A softwood species with a light-textured wood and a reddish tint, it can change color: darkens in the light and turns gray when in contact with iron. Alder is resistant to moisture and practically does not rot. However, it becomes worm-eaten when very dry. Alder products are varied: carved bedroom furniture, practical kitchen sets, elegant and stylish items for living room and office. Solid wood is suitable for classic interiors, country and Provence, but not for minimalist interiors.

Care tips: alder is sensitive to temperature changes: 10-25C with humidity up to 60% is favorable. Avoid direct sunlight and do not install in a premises with heated floors; wipe surfaces only with a soft cloth and soapy water.

Walnut:

Hardwood with wear-resistant and viscous wood, walnut is valued for its unique structure and is expensive. The rich texture of chocolate color makes its wood ideal for veneer and in the luxury furniture production.

Care tips: wipe surfaces with a soft cloth with a mild soapy solution, then remove soap layer with a damp cloth and dry with a dry cloth.

Acacia:

It is a deciduous, valuable and extra hard wood. Acacia is popular due to its unusual texture with a variety of shades; it is used to make exclusive and garden furniture, elite floors and in shipbuilding. It is scratch-resistant, adds brightness to any room, has antibacterial properties and is easy to clean.

Care tips: despite the water resistance, store acacia products in a dry place and away from direct sunlight. Regularly clean the furniture with gentle cleaning agents and a damp cloth. If scratches or cracks appear, contact our professionals.

Pine:

Pine is a very common coniferous and soft wood in many countries. Depending on the place of growth, the color, hardness and structure of the wood vary significantly. It is universal: the color varies from yellowish-brown to cream tone. Solid wood often contains "knots" that look beautiful, but are difficult for a carpenter to work with. Pine has been used in the construction industry for many centuries because it is durable, light and flexible. Saunas are finished with clapboard, and solid wood is used to make furniture. Thanks to the subtle aroma of resin and essential oils that wood gives, solid pine not only has a beneficial effect on the atmosphere of the house. The furniture is resistant to mold, and due to its texture, it looks attractive in many styles. With age, the color of the wood darkens which increases its price and adds originality to the interior.

Care tips: when using pine furniture, a stable microclimate in the premises is important: 10-25 ° C with room air humidity: 40-70%. Pine furniture should not be moistened; for care use special compounds and a soft cloth for care, promptly remove dirt from the surfaces, preventing absorption into the wood. Protect it from direct sunlight and mechanical damage.

Aspen:

A softwood deciduous tree that is easy to process, wear-resistant and moisture-resistant. It has a pleasant light shade, a natural shine in the light and is lightweight. The heartwood is often unsuitable for any use due to its high humidity. Aspen is often processed into chipboard and plywood; it is used to make lining and interior decoration elements, as well as furniture and doors. Aspen wood can withstand high temperatures and humidity, so it is often used in the construction of baths and saunas, roofs and for furniture in public buildings and eco-hotels. Aspen furniture lasts for decades, maintaining its strength under intensive use and in adverse conditions. The material is almost inaccessible to pests. This solid wood has a pleasant smell that creates an atmosphere of tranquility; long service life, resistant to pollution and budget-friendly. Visual disadvantages include a "rustic" natural look.

Care tips: regularly clean from dirt with a dry or slightly damp cloth; avoid using abrasive cleaning agents. If necessary, use mild wood cleaners.

Redwood or Mahogany:

A synonym for the name "red wood" is mahogany wood. In international trade, mahogany is a general name for a number of species that have a red wood color. There are several types of mahogany; however, this name is usually attributed to Honduran Mahogany. It is in great demand due to its excellent qualities and is very expensive. The rich reddish-brown hue darkens over time, and the characteristic texture acquires an attractive shine. Characteristically, several pieces of furniture can be made from one trunk of this species.

Initially, red mahogany meant the American tree species Swietenia mahagoni. Each of them has its own characteristics and areas of application. The wood is highly valued in Europe; it is a passion of yachtsmen, musicians and connoisseurs of luxury. It is used to make beautiful and prestigious furniture, materials for finishing the interiors of yachts and premium cars and musical instruments.

Khaya ivorensis (African mahogany) - the color palette is wide, from pale pink to reddish-brown. The wood is quite easy to process. Furniture made of African mahogany is strong, with an ideal and natural coloring.

Swieturia macrophylla (American mahogany) - wood from light brown to dark shades (depending on age). It is considered one of the best species for making elite furniture. The material is difficult to process, but extremely resistant to various types of abrasion and mechanical impacts. Every year the product only becomes more beautiful and noble. This type of mahogany is considered rare due to the reduction of its habitat.

Swietenia macrophylla (Brazilian mahogany) is a dense wood with a striped pattern on cuts. The color palette varies from soft pink to golden brown. The wood is easy to process and polish, and is resistant to fungus. It is widely used to create exclusive furniture.

Care tips: mahogany furniture retains its appearance well if its surfaces are regularly wiped with a slightly damp soft cloth. After this, the product must be wiped dry with a linen cloth; you can also rub its surfaces with linseed oil from time to time.

Yew:

This wood is hard (called "soft" in some classifications), relatively heavy and dense. It is characterized by viscosity and elasticity of fibers. Similar to oak wood: it is resistant to external influences. It is difficult to process both manually and by machine, but polishes perfectly. Yew wood is used to make exclusive furniture, veneer, doors and small decorative items. The color of the wood varies from orange-brown to red-brown, with a decorative texture.

Care tips: once a week, wipe the surfaces first with a damp cloth and then with a dry cloth or suede. It is possible to use special care products.

Teak:

Many people recognize it as the "king of wood" due to its versatility and durability. The naturally high oil content makes teak wood extremely water-resistant and immune to rot and fungus; while, the wood is fireproof. Incredibly attractive texture grain: with a golden-brown heartwood and yellow-grey sapwood. Teak is suitable for a wide range of applications: from ship and yacht decking, interior and exterior furniture to joinery.

Care tips: If the furniture looks dry, oil it (approx. 2 times a year). Remove dirt with running water and a mild soap solution. To remove roughness or deep dirt on the surface of the furniture, you can use pre-moistened fine-grain sandpaper. After cleaning, apply a protective agent against moisture and grease penetration, as well as against the formation of mold. Store garden furniture in a ventilated room and cover it with fabric covers.

Birch:

This wood is distinguished by its environmental friendliness: it is hypoallergenic and completely safe for health. The solid wood is well suited for any type of furniture, and the beige color with narrow annual rings provides a colorful look. It is well suited for classic design and Scandinavian interior options. Among the main advantages is the absence of resins, so the products can withstand significant loads; are flexible and accessible to various processing methods. The furniture industry uses solid wood and veneer, which can be combined with other species in decorative tabletops and panels.

Karelian birch in furniture production is an elite type of wood with a unique "marble" pattern. This is an anomalous variety, first encountered in Karelia region (Russia); its texture is heterogeneous and unique for each tree. Such furniture will decorate any interior and will last a long time. The Karelian birch solid wood is stronger than the usual species, resistant to chips, cracks and decay.

Common birch is softer and can rot in high humidity. Birch furniture will be appropriate in both classic and modern interiors.

Care tips: the surface changes its appearance over time, which depends not only on the environment, but also on the quality of care. To maintain the attractiveness of the wood, follow the rules: clean immediately after contamination appears, keep the surfaces dry, and avoid using abrasives.

Palisander:

The most luxurious furniture is made from solid wood of this type. It is also used to make elements of musical instruments, chess pieces and interior items. Palisander has a unique texture and a rich color spectrum: from deep brown to rich red. In addition to the beauty of the wood, palisander has excellent functional properties as an extremely strong and durable material. Due to its high density, the wood is resistant to moisture and mechanical damage. This wood is not uncommon in modern interiors: from massive dining tables to exquisite bookcases and chests of drawers.

Care tips: palisander furniture requires regular cleaning and oiling of the wood as needed.

We hope that our tips were useful to you. We are waiting for you in our showroom!

By: Evgeniya Theodorou

Common Wood Types and Their Species: What to Choose