How do I choose the right wood for a project?
Match wood to purpose
For outdoor projects, choose rot-resistant species like cedar, redwood, or pressure-treated pine. For indoor furniture, hardwoods like oak, maple, or cherry offer durability and beauty. For painted projects, inexpensive pine or poplar works fine.
If the piece will see heavy wear, like a cutting board or tabletop, pick a dense hardwood such as maple or walnut. For decorative items, you might prioritize grain pattern or color.
- Outdoor: cedar, redwood, pressure-treated
- Furniture: oak, maple, cherry, walnut
- Painted: pine, poplar
- High-wear: maple, hickory
Understand wood properties
Hardness affects how well the wood resists dents and scratches. The Janka scale rates hardness; for example, pine is around 600, oak around 1300, and maple around 1450. Harder woods are harder to work with hand tools.
Stability refers to how much the wood moves with humidity changes. Quarter-sawn cuts are more stable than plain-sawn. Grain pattern (straight, curly, figured) affects both looks and workability. Color can vary widely even within a species.
Budget and availability
Domestic hardwoods like oak, maple, and cherry are usually more affordable than exotics like mahogany or teak. Pine and poplar are the cheapest. Prices vary by region and supplier; a board foot of oak might cost $4–$8, while walnut can be $8–$12 or more.
Check local lumber yards or sawmills for better selection and prices than big-box stores. For small projects, you can often buy offcuts or shorts. Always buy a little extra for mistakes and test cuts.
Common mistakes
- Choosing wood based only on looks without considering how it will hold up to moisture or wear.
- Using softwood for a project that needs to bear heavy load or resist dents.
- Forgetting that solid wood expands and contracts with humidity, which can cause cracks if not allowed for.