Wood furniture is a classic choice for decorating your home. It adds warmth and elegance and can be personalized to fit your style (and budget). But there are so many types of wood that it can be hard to know which one to choose! This guide will respond to some of the most typically asked questions about wood furniture!
Importance Of Choosing The Right Wood for Furniture
Wood is one of the most critical materials used in furniture manufacturing. The type of wood you choose will determine how long it will last and its durability and strength properties. There are many distinct types of wood available on the market today, and it can be challenging to understand which one is suited for you. While it may seem like all woods are pretty much the same, some are much better than others for certain jobs. And you can also make a wood combination, especially if you are looking into long-term projects that will stand up well over time.
There are also two major types of wood you have to know before starting your project or buying your chosen furniture. These are the hardwood and softwood. So what are their differences? Check the next section!
Hardwood Vs. Softwood
A lot of people wonder what the difference is between hardwood and softwood. But perhaps the most important one is that hardwoods are more durable than softwoods. They have a higher density than softwoods, which means they’re more robust, more resistant to decay, and last longer. But here are the most common characteristics of the two kinds of wood to know what to choose for your furniture.
🟫 Weight
Softwoods are lighter than hardwoods, which makes them easier to cut and handle. But this also means they can’t support as much weight or withstand as much pressure as hardwoods can.
🟫 Price
Softwoods tend to be less costly than hardwoods because they grow faster and regenerate faster after being cut down. However, this also means they’re more likely to warp or crack when exposed to moisture over time.
🟫 Color
Hardwoods tend to have a darker color than softwoods. This is because hardwood trees are often left standing long after being cut down so they can dry out before being harvested. This process releases tannins from within their wood fibers, giving it a darker hue compared with freshly-harvested softwood boards.
🟫 Purpose
Hardwoods are more resistant to rot than softwoods, which makes them ideal for projects like decking, fencing, and furniture-making. Softwoods are also ideal for furniture if your project needs a lot of cuts. This is because softwood is light, making it easy to trim.
Now that you know the contrast between hardwood and softwood, it’s time to identify the best wood that most manufacturers use to have excellent furniture sets.
Best Woods For Furniture
Furniture is something that you want to last a long time. Sometimes we overlook how important it is to take care of our furniture. You may have pieces of your furniture for over 20 years, and they are still in great condition! The best way to make your furniture last longer is by using the right type of wood. This will provide you peace of mind knowing that you will protect your investment for years to come.
🟫 Oak
If you’re looking to build a piece of furniture that will last, oak is the way to go. It’s one of the most popular hardwoods on the market and is used in a wide range of products, including flooring, furniture, and even barrels. Oak is known for its strength and durability, making it ideal for large pieces like tables or cabinets.
While wide varieties of oak are available (white, red, live), it is advisable to go with American white oak if you want something durable but still beautiful. You can expect this type of wood to have a light brown hue with irregular grain patterns along with moderate to heavy figuring depending on how closely quartersawn it was cut down into boards. This makes each piece unique! Because American White Oak trees produce such large trunks, they tend not to bend as much under pressure which helps prevent cracking when drying out. Thus, making them very strong indeed!
🟫 Teak
Teak is a long-lasting wood that can be used in outdoor furniture without worrying about rotting or being eaten by insects. It has a beautiful grain and rich colors, making it an attractive option for any outdoor space. Teak is also very strong, so it’s the perfect choice for chairs and tables that will see heavy use.
🟫 Walnut
Walnut is a popular wood that’s used for many types of furniture. It’s very durable and grows in the United States, so you’ll find it locally. Walnut is also a hardwood, which means it can last longer than softer woods like pine or cedar.
In addition to being strong and durable, walnut has a beautiful texture that makes it desirable as well. It’s also very heavy, so if you’re building anything with this wood (like tables), make sure your base is sturdy enough to support its weight!
🟫 Cherry
Cherry is one of the most popular hardwoods for furniture, and it’s easy to see why. The grain pattern is interesting and varied but not too busy for a beginner woodworker. Cherry is also a softwood (any wood that isn’t oak or maple), which means you can efficiently work it with hand tools without fear of splintering the material.
Cherry can be stained or painted to match any decor. It’s relatively easy to polish cherry furniture to a high shine. If you want an antique look, you’ll have to sand down the surface before applying your finish of choice.
🟫 Mahogany
Mahogany is a hardwood that comes from the trees of the Mahogany family. It is a very strong wood, making it perfect for furniture. Mahogany can be used to make a variety of furniture, including tables and chairs. This wood is also highly durable, so it will last for many years without needing to be replaced or repaired at all.
If you already chose the wood you like above, then you can check if it’s right for you by completing the list below.
Things To Ponder When Choosing The Right Wood
Choosing the right wood for your projects can be a challenge. There are many different types of woods, each with its unique characteristics. Here are some things to consider as you decide which type of wood is best for your needs:
🟫 Source
The source of your wood is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best for your furniture. You want to be convinced that you’re buying from a reputable source because it makes all the distinction in the grade of your finished product.
When shopping for new wood, look for:
>>A reliable source
Make sure that your wood comes from a company that has been around for a while and knows what they’re doing when it comes to working with natural materials. If they say they’re selling you oak, make sure there’s written proof that this is true!
>>Legit proof of authenticity
Ask about certificates of authenticity or other documents guaranteeing the origins and properties of each piece before making any purchases. This will help guarantee that you don’t end up with anyone else’s discarded scraps (which may be unsafe) instead of those pristinely harvested tree trunks we’ve been talking about so much today!
🟫 Durability
While not all species of wood are equally durable, those that are will cost you more. Durable woods include oak, walnut, and mahogany. Less durable woods include pine and spruce.
As a general rule: the more dense a piece of wood is, the harder it is to split or break it. Thus, this makes it more difficult for insects or water damage to occur over time due to natural causes such as dry rot or fungal decay caused by humidity changes.
🟫 Cost
The cost of wood is a factor that should not be overlooked. You will have to spend a lot of money if you want the best quality, but if you buy cheap wood and use it for your fireplace mantel, it won’t last long. The most important facet in determining how much money to spend on wood is whether or not you are going to be using all the pieces yourself or if they need to be cut into smaller pieces.
For example, if you need just one piece of wood for your project, then this won’t cost as much as buying all the pieces needed for making furniture, like tables, chairs, and beds, since each piece has its own price tag attached to it.
If you’re looking forward to buying some professional-grade hardwood, then there are many options out there that come within affordable price ranges, such as oak-maple wood. However, these woods tend not to last long, so keep this point in mind before deciding whether or not to invest in them!
🟫 Aesthetic
Aesthetics are important. Wood has a lot of different looks, and your decision about which one you want for your home will depend on the style of your home, the shape of the room, and what furniture you have. The aesthetic value of wood can also be subjective. Some people may prefer one type over another, while others might not care at all. That being said, some types of wood do tend to look better in certain rooms than others (for example, cherry looks great as an accent wall but not so much if it’s covering an entire ceiling).
Frequently Asked Questions
🟥 Can you paint over the stain?
The short answer is yes. You can paint over the wood stain. You should sand the wood before painting and use a primer if you want to prevent the stain from bleeding through to the top coat. Finally, choose a paint that’s designed for use on stained wood. Your local hardware should have those!
🟥 How frequently should you wax your wood furniture?
Waxing your wood furniture is a great way to protect it, and waxing can help prevent damage from spills, scratches, and dents. It also helps prevent cracking. It’s important to know that the frequency of re-waxing depends on what type of wood your piece is made from. For example, hardwoods like oak will require more frequent coats than softwoods like pine or cedar.
🟥 Can you use olive oil on wood?
If you already own a piece of furniture that has olive oil on it, the best thing to do is yank all of the oil. You can do this with soap and water or any other cleaning product. If you intend on refinishing your wood furniture, make sure to wipe off any excess olive oil before staining or painting your piece. Olive oil is not a good cleaner because it leaves a greasy residue behind and attracts dirt over time. It also won’t provide any shine to the wood (unless used in combination with other products).
🟥 What is the hardest wood for furniture?
Oak is the hardest wood for furniture. It is a hardwood that is strong and durable, making it a popular choice for furniture. Oak has a nice grain that can be stained or painted, giving you lots of options for customizing your piece to suit your decor.
🟥 Which is more important: density or durability?
The answer is both! Wood species tend to vary in appearance, density, durability, and strength. Density refers to how heavy the wood feels when compared to other types of wood. Some species are heavier than others, even though they might look similar at first glance. Durability refers to how well each species holds up over time with regular use, while strength refers specifically to how much weight each type can support before breaking apart under pressure (this includes furniture legs).
Final Words
The best wood for furniture is one that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. These woods are all high quality, but you should choose the one that matches your needs best. Keep in mind that each class of wood has its own unique qualities, so make sure to research before making any decisions!
If you’re planning to build a playhouse, click here to know how to choose the best wood for your project.
