Different Types of Wood

In this article, we will talk about the types of wood and its application and properties.

Wood can be broadly classified as Softwood and Hardwood.

Density is a major determinant of the strength of wood.

Hardwoods, being denser than the softwoods, are stronger and more durable.
the difference between hardwood and softwood is not only based on the density of the wood.

This is because several hardwoods are lighter than softwoods. Generally,

the distinction between these two types of woods is based on their botanical characteristics.
Let’s learn about the different types of wood used for furniture and in construction.

01. Pine Wood

Pinewood is a soft, white or light-yellow wood which is light in weight and straight-grained.

It resists shrinkage, swelling, and warping. Pine is very easy to shape and stain.

Pine decays easily when it comes in contact with soil.

Uses:
It is used to make all kinds of indoor and outdoor furniture.

It is also used to make frames of doors and windows, flooring, and paving materials.

Knotty pine is often used for a decorative effect. It is also one of the sources of turpentine.

02. Cedar Wood

Cedarwood is a knotty softwood that has a red-brown color with light lines.

Cedar is soft as compared to other softwoods.

The wood texture is uniform and highly resistant to decay and insects.

They are aromatic in nature. In India, it is found in Kashmir and Assam.
Uses:
It is one of the famous wood types used for lining drawers, chests, and boxes.

Simple cases and storage closets are also constructed from this wood.

03. Firwood

Firwood is also referred to as Douglas Fir. Fir is straight grain and has a reddish-brown color.

It is uniform in texture and non-resinous and has poor resistance to decay.

Fir is hard in comparison to other softwoods. It cannot be stained easily; hence,

it’s generally used in the raw form or as a painted surface.

Fir is found in North and Central America, North Africa, Europe, and Asia.

In India, it is found in Himachal Pradesh.
Uses:
It is used for furniture, doors, frames, windows, plywood, veneer, general millwork and interior trim.

04. Spruce Wood

Spruce wood is strong and hard. It finishes well and has a low resistance to decay.

It has moderate shrinkage and is light in weight. Spruce is found in America, Europe, Asia, Alaska, and Canada.

In India, it is found in Western Himalaya and Sikkim.
Uses:
It is commonly used for masts and spars of ships, aircraft, crates, boxes, paneling, cladding, general millwork, and ladders.

05. Hemlock Wood

Hemlock wood is light-weight and has moderate strength.

It has a low resistance to decay and is non-resinous.

It’s found in the United States, Canada, Alaska, England, and Eastern Asia.

It is quite prone to shrinkage like other softwoods like firwood.
Uses:
It is used in the construction of lumber, planks, doors, boards, join ery, subflooring and crates.

06. Teakwood

Teakwood is one of the most popular types of hardwood.

It is yellow to dark brown in color and is extremely heavy, strong,

durable, weather-resistant, warp-resistant, and does not decay.

Often strongly figured, teak may show straight grain pattern.

The natural oils in teak make them termite and pest-resistant.

Teak does not burn easily. It is quite expensive when compared to other wood types.

It is generally found in central and southern India.

It is also one of the most preferred types of wood for furniture in India.
Uses:
It is commonly used as a structural wood for wooden framed houses, doors, windows, and partitions. It is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture like garden benches and lounge chairs. Most homeowners prefer teak for their indoor furniture like beds and wardrobes. It is also used in veneer production.

07. Rosewood

Rosewood is very hard and has a dark reddish-brown color.

It has a unique fragrance. It is hard to work on and needs a lot of polishing.

Rosewood is classified as Brazilian rosewood, East India rosewood, Honduran rosewood,

Amazon rosewood, Madagascar rosewood, and others. East Indian rosewood is also known as Sheesham in Hindi. Rosewood is considered to be very valuable. In India, it is generally found mostly in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mysore, Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Orissa.
Rosewood

Uses:
According to ‘Mamta Bhattacharya’, ‘Archana Singh’, ‘Chhaya Ramrakhyani’, (Author of Journal of Medicinal Plant Studies), Rosewood is used in musical instruments, piano cases,

tool handles, art projects, decorative veneers, and furniture.

The extracts from Indian rosewood or Sheesham are used to cure blood disorders,

eye disorders, and leprosy among other ailments.

08. Oak Wood

Oakwood is one of the most widely used types of hardwood.

Oak can be distinguished into two basic varieties: white and red.

The red variety is also known as black oak (a reference to its bark).

It has a very distinct grain and finish. Oak is a heavy, strong, light-colored hardwood.

It is very easy to work on. It has good resistance to moisture, fungus, and yeast.

Oak is found in different parts of America, Asia, North Africa, and Europe.

Such types of hardwood trees are found in the north-eastern parts of India.
Uses:
It is an excellent choice for household and office furniture like bookshelves and cabinets.

It is also widely preferred for outdoor furniture. Due to its moisture-resistant property,

it is also used in ships and boats. In modern times, interior decor experts are employing oak for flooring,

timber-framed structures, and veneer production.

09. Maple Wood

Maple wood has a fine texture with great strength.

It is so hard and resistant to shocks that it is often used for constructing pathways.

Maple is resistant to splitting and is highly durable and easy to clean.

Maple is found in Asia, North America, North Africa, Europe, and Canada.

In India, you can find maple trees in Ooty and other hilly regions.
Uses:
It is extensively used in making household furniture like console tables, wall shelves, and bedside tables.

Maple has a curly grain and is also used for the violin back.

10. Ash Wood

Ashwood is a hard, heavy, ring porous wood. Ash is well-known for its elasticity and strength.

It has a prominent grain that looks like oakwood and is white to light brown in color.

It is easy to work on with using screws, nails, and glue. It gives an attractive finish.

Ash is generally less in demand as compared to other hardwoods; therefore,

it’s less expensive compared to other wood types.
Uses:
Ash is widely used for structural frames and steam bent furniture pieces.

It is used in making guitars, drum shells, frames, sports equipment, ladders, and baseball bats.

Decorative veneers are produced from ash due to its interesting grain.

11. Mango Wood

Mango wood is dense and strong hardwood which comes with a distinctly attractive grain pattern.

Its grain is unique as it embodies several tones and colors,

ranging from light shades like dark brown with hints of light pink or green.

It is lighter than other wood types and highly water-resistant.
Uses:
It is best used for living room and bedroom furniture, nesting tables,

kitchen cabinets, entertainment units and bookshelves.

12. Mahogany Wood

Mahogany wood is also known as Honduras.

The wood is reddish-brown in color. It is strong,

with a uniform pore structure and poorly defined annual rings.

It is an excellent carving wood and finishes well.

It takes stain very well, rendering a great finish to the piece of furniture.

One of its many advantages is that it doesn’t warp, swell, or shrink.

It can be used underwater too. According to ‘Vikash Kumar et al.’

(Author of Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King): a suitable timber species for agroforestry), in India, mahogany was planted in 1795 in Royal Botanical Garden in Kolkata.

It is now found all over India, particularly in Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park,

and Thattekkad Wildlife Sanctuary.
Uses:
It is most commonly used in fashion cabinets, nested tables,

dining table sets, and other types of indoor furniture. Mahogany is also used in boat building,

window frames, sills, and veneers.

13. Beech Wood

Beechwood is a hard, strong, and heavy wood with tiny pores.

It is light pink in color and is relatively inexpensive.

Beech is tough and yet dimensionally unstable.

It is very easy to work with as it is highly resistant to splitting.

Beech has less durability for prolonged exterior use. It is found in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Uses:
Beech is often used for frames, a variety of bent and turned parts.

Quarter sliced and half-round cut beech veneers are commonly used.

It is also used in flooring, plywood, and other household items.

It is rarely used as a decorative veneer. It makes a very good firewood.

14. Cherry Wood

Cherry wood is sometimes called fruitwood. It is light to reddish-brown in color,

hard, strong, warp-resistant, and closed grained wood. It resists warping and checking.

It is easy to carve and polish. Cherry is mostly found in Europe and Asia.

These trees are found in the hilly regions of Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.
Uses:
It works well when used for decorative carving and for making solid furniture like cabinets, shelves, and tables.

15. Walnut Wood

Walnut wood is one of the most versatile and popular wood types with a very fine texture.

The wood is light to dark chocolate brown in color with a straight grain in the trunk.

Walnut is strong, hard and durable, without being excessively heavy, and warp-resistant.

It has excellent woodworking qualities and takes finishes well.

It is very expensive compared to other types of hardwood.

Walnut is found in Europe, America, and Asia. In India, it is found in Jammu and Kashmir,

Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh.
Uses:

This wood is an ideal choice for making dining table sets, coffee tables,

veneers, musical instruments, gun woods and decorations.

Wood is an ancient building material that was used as a building material before the advent of cement.

The natural beauty and longevity of wood can bring warmth and beauty to our home decoration.

More than half of the wood harvested in the forests is used as a building material.