Choose your wood carefully when crafting furniture or installing flooring to ensure its durability and aesthetic value. Woods can either be classified as hardwoods or softwoods.
When purchasing lumber, it is crucial that you understand its grading system so you know exactly what product best meets your specific needs.
Aesthetics
Wood is one of the most stunning materials, but can also be quite complex. Each piece of wood varies in its hue, pattern and grain depending on what species or tree it came from – adding character and beauty but making matching pieces for large projects difficult.
As an example, pine may appear very different than red cedar. Wood color depends on what part of a tree its wood comes from; darker hues come from heartwood while lighter shades from sapwood. Natural oils used to treat wood can alter its hue further while glazes and stains add even further variety. Grain orientation also plays an essential part in how its grain appears on finished products.
Denser wood species tend to be stronger and sturdier, while more flexible, soft varieties require more care when cutting or turning them. A wood’s texture also plays an integral part; certain varieties feature prominent grain while others are more uniform – this factor should be kept in mind if visible graining will be an important consideration as well as how easily cutting or turning will go.
Durability
Wood’s durability – how well it stands up against weathering and environmental conditions – is an essential aspect of its value. Paying more for wood that will stand the test of time can pay dividends; invest in durable pieces so you can enjoy it for many years ahead. Durability should also play a part in choosing wood for certain projects depending on usage frequency or where the item will be kept.
Softwoods generally don’t compare favorably with hardwoods in terms of durability; however, Western Red Cedar stands out among them by withstanding most weathering without treatment; other softwoods like Siberian Larch and Pine can be treated to increase their longevity.
Hardwoods tend to be stronger and more durable than softwoods, but it’s essential that you understand which wood species best suit your project before shopping around. Hickory is an excellent choice for rustic or farmhouse-style pieces as its wood grain is resistant to insects. Furthermore, its dense density stands up well against wear and tear – making it suitable flooring material.
Consideration must also be given when selecting wood that has different textures – how rough or smooth its surface may be – which will affect how easy it will be for you to work with, especially if creating something visible to the public.
Durability ratings of wood species can be determined using a standard stake test, which evaluates their natural resistance to decay and environmental factors over seven years of partial ground insertion of stakes inserted partially into the ground, then comparing survival analysis results against groups of stakes that have also been partially inserted. Durability should not be applied uniformly but should take into account their intended use class (for instance a non-durable wood like European beech might not last as long in direct ground contact window frames but can last centuries when used for furniture like tables or bookshelves.
Workability
If you’re making wood furniture or building something structural, it is essential that you consider the workability of your chosen material. Different species of wood vary in texture which plays an integral part in its stability and overall finished appearance, while density dictates how strong and long-lasting your end result will be.
Experienced lumber store shoppers may feel daunted by the vast selection of wood available; however, familiarizing yourself with its various species can make your decision-making simpler. By learning a bit about each variety, your decision process should become simpler.
Tamarack, for instance, is a softwood known for its resistance to rot – this makes it an excellent choice for framing interior walls but less so for more complex woodworking projects. Unfortunately, however, tamarack can pose issues for people with allergic or respiratory sensitivities, due to the resins and oils responsible for its rot resistance causing irritation when in contact with skin for extended periods. You should use caution when working with it as long-term contact may result in skin rashes; to protect yourself when working with it you should wear gloves and use other precautions such as wearing protective gear when working with it; other softwoods known for being irritating include pine and cedar – so always consult an expert before purchasing wood for any project before choosing an individual type.
Maintenance
Wood surfaces will age over time and require regular care and maintenance in order to remain looking their best. Preventative measures can make this task simpler; regular dusting with a damp cloth is enough to remove dust that could scratch the finish; hardwoods with tight grains tend to resist scratches better, yet need regular polishing/waxing/waxing to enhance their sheen; softwoods require gentler treatment since their quicker liquid absorption rate requires frequent dusting instead. Keeping up with your maintenance schedule ensures you won’t have to sand/repaint your wood surfaces!
