What wood should I use?
Really, there are only two things to consider….Price and Esthetics. But here are some more tips. Take your time to pick out pieces you think are beautiful……it is different for everyone.
1. Start with Softer woods for Practice
Why: Softwoods like pine, fir, or cedar are widely available, affordable, and easier to cut, sand, and shape. Also, there are softer hardwoods like poplar and alder that make great options for pieces that a little finer.
Best for: First projects like outdoor projects or small tables, bookcases, etc.
Caution: They dent and scratch more easily, so not ideal for true fine furniture. Unless, of course, you like them!
2. Pick Woods Based on Your Project
Furniture & Cabinets: Maple, oak, cherry, walnut are a good start. They vary greatly in price from store to store and over time. It is best to check around for the best price.
Outdoor Projects: Cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated lumber (resistant to rot).
Cutting Boards/Food Use: Hard maple or walnut (tight grain, food-safe).
Shop Projects: Plywood or MDF (cheaper and stable).
3. Consider Workability
Easy to Work With: Pine, poplar, and alder. The best thing about these woods is they are easy to sand. You will be happy about that!
Harder to Work With: Oak, maple, hickory (strong but tough on blades and harder for hand tools). I think maple is one of the hardest. An option is to move to birch. They look very similar but birch is less expensive and easier to work with.
Pro Tip: Don’t frustrate yourself early with exotic hardwoods—they can be brittle, oily, or very dense. And they can be dangerous to breath. Always use a very good dust mask. Not to mention the much higher expense.
4. Check Local Availability
Your lumberyard and big-box stores may stock pine, poplar, oak, and maple most commonly. BUT! hardwood at these stores is much more expensive. Go to a hardwood store for better pricing.
Using common local woods keeps your costs down and avoids long waits for specialty orders.
If you live in the Denver area where we are, Austins Hardwoods an Paxton’s Hardwoods are good choices for wood.
5. Think About Grain and Appearance
Straight, even grain: Easier to cut and join ( birch, poplar).
Distinctive grain patterns: Oak, ash, walnut—great for furniture with a natural look. Take a look at our custom work page to see some examples. The darker wood pics are walnut….I love walnut. Easy to work with for a hardwood.
Uniform color vs. contrast: Light woods (maple, birch) can be stained; dark woods (walnut, mahogany) stand out naturally. However, maple and birch can be splotchy. Always do a test piece for these woods and consider using a wood conditioner. It doesn’t always help but is worth a try on your test piece.
6. Budget Wisely
Low-cost choices: Pine, poplar, construction-grade spruce. For hardwood, poplar and alder.
Mid-range: Oak, ash, cherry.
High-end/exotics: Walnut, mahogany, teak, padauk.
Pro Tip: Don’t buy expensive wood until you’ve practiced the cuts and joinery on scrap or cheaper wood. It is a real pain to have to buy expensive replacement pieces!