Wood Building Materials

Properties

• High density and hardness
• Distinctive grain pattern
• Excellent durability and strength
• Resistant to wear and impact
• Medium to high resistance to decay
• Difficult to work with hand tools

Applications

• Flooring (particularly high-traffic areas)
• Cabinetry and furniture
• Structural beams and posts
• Interior trim and moldings
• Doors and windows
• Staircases and railings

Common Varieties

Red oak, white oak, English oak, live oak

Advantages

• Exceptional durability (can last centuries)
• Ages beautifully with rich patina development
• Excellent resale value
• Resistant to dents and scratches
• Versatile appearance that works with many styles

Limitations

• Higher cost than many alternatives
• Heavy weight
• Can be susceptible to moisture fluctuations
• Requires proper finishing for protection
• Harvesting concerns for sustainability

Sustainability

Moderate sustainability profile. While oak is renewable, it grows slowly (50-100 years to maturity). Look for FSC-certified oak to ensure responsible forestry practices.

Properties

• Low to medium density
• Straight grain with distinctive knots
• Relatively soft and easy to work
• Moderate strength and durability
• Naturally light color with yellow/amber tones
• Resinous with characteristic scent

Applications

• Structural framing (studs, joists, rafters)
• Interior paneling and wainscoting
• Furniture (particularly country and rustic styles)
• Flooring (softer than hardwoods)
• Trim and moldings
• Cabinetry and shelving

Common Varieties

Eastern white pine, southern yellow pine, sugar pine, ponderosa pine

Advantages

• Cost-effective compared to hardwoods
• Widely available
• Easy to cut, shape, and fasten
• Takes stains and finishes well
• Rustic, warm aesthetic

Limitations

• Softer and more prone to dents and scratches
• Less durable than hardwoods
• Can be susceptible to insect damage
• Knots can affect structural integrity
• Requires regular maintenance in high-wear applications

Sustainability

Good sustainability profile. Pine grows relatively quickly (25-30 years to harvest) and is widely farmed in managed forests. Look for SFI or FSC certification.

Properties

• Low density with excellent strength-to-weight ratio
• Natural oils provide decay and insect resistance
• Distinctive aromatic scent
• Straight grain with rich color variation
• Excellent dimensional stability
• Naturally resistant to moisture

Applications

• Exterior siding and shingles
• Decking and outdoor structures
• Fence posts and rails
• Closet lining and chests
• Saunas and hot tubs
• Decorative beams and accents

Common Varieties

Western red cedar, eastern red cedar, northern white cedar, Spanish cedar

Advantages

• Natural resistance to rot, decay, and insects
• Excellent for outdoor and high-moisture applications
• Low maintenance requirements
• Attractive weathering characteristics
• Insect-repellent properties

Limitations

• Softer than many woods (prone to dents and scratches)
• Higher cost than pine and some other softwoods
• Can be difficult to paint (oils may bleed through)
• Color fades to gray if left untreated outdoors
• Limited structural applications due to softness

Sustainability

Moderate sustainability profile. Cedar grows more slowly than pine but has excellent durability, leading to longer service life. Western red cedar is being harvested faster than it can be regrown in some areas.

Properties

• High density and hardness
• Fine, uniform grain pattern
• Light color with minimal variation
• Excellent wear resistance
• Difficult to stain evenly
• Prone to movement with moisture changes

Applications

• Flooring (particularly in high-traffic areas)
• Cabinetry and furniture
• Countertops and butcher blocks
• Interior trim and moldings
• Veneer and decorative applications
• Musical instruments

Common Varieties

Hard maple (sugar maple), soft maple (red maple, silver maple)

Advantages

• Clean, contemporary appearance
• Excellent durability and hardness
• Resistant to dents and scratches
• Takes clear finishes beautifully
• Consistent grain pattern

Limitations

• Higher cost than many alternatives
• Can develop uneven coloration with age
• Difficult to stain evenly (tends to blotch)
• Susceptible to movement with humidity changes
• Requires careful finishing for best results

Sustainability

Moderate sustainability profile. Maple grows relatively quickly for a hardwood (30-40 years), and much is harvested from managed North American forests. Look for FSC certification.

Properties

• Medium to high density
• Rich, dark brown color with purple undertones
• Straight grain with occasional figure
• Good dimensional stability
• Moderate hardness and strength
• Excellent workability

Applications

• Fine furniture and cabinetry
• Architectural millwork and paneling
• Flooring (often as accent)
• Decorative veneers
• Gunstocks and specialty items
• Turned objects and carvings

Common Varieties

American black walnut, English walnut, Claro walnut

Advantages

• Luxurious appearance with rich color
• Ages beautifully with enhanced color over time
• Excellent stability with minimal movement
• Takes finishes well
• Good durability for a decorative wood

Limitations

• High cost
• Limited availability in large dimensions
• Photosensitive (color changes with exposure to light)
• Not as hard as oak or maple
• Sustainability concerns due to slower growth

Sustainability

Moderate to low sustainability profile. Walnut grows relatively slowly and has been overharvested in some regions. Look for FSC-certified walnut to ensure responsible forestry practices.

Properties

• Medium density and hardness
• Distinctive reddish-brown color that darkens with age
• Fine, straight grain with occasional figure
• Good dimensional stability
• Moderate strength
• Excellent workability

Applications

• Fine furniture and cabinetry
• Interior trim and moldings
• Flooring (medium durability)
• Architectural millwork and paneling
• Decorative veneers
• Musical instruments

Common Varieties

American black cherry, European cherry

Advantages

• Beautiful color that improves with age
• Smooth, satiny finish when properly prepared
• Takes stain and finish well
• Good stability with minimal movement
• Classic, timeless appeal

Limitations

• Higher cost than many alternatives
• Not as hard as oak or maple (more susceptible to dents)
• Photosensitive (darkens significantly with UV exposure)
• Color can be inconsistent between boards
• Limited availability in large dimensions

Sustainability

Moderate sustainability profile. Cherry grows at a moderate rate (40-50 years to maturity) and is harvested from managed North American forests. Look for FSC certification.

Properties

• High density and moderate hardness
• Natural oils provide exceptional weather resistance
• Golden to medium brown color
• Straight grain with occasional figure
• Excellent dimensional stability
• Resistant to acids, alkalis, and metal corrosion

Applications

• Outdoor furniture and decking
• Boat building and marine applications
• Bathroom fixtures and accessories
• Window frames and exterior doors
• Flooring in high-moisture areas
• Decorative veneers

Common Varieties

Burmese teak, Indonesian teak, plantation teak

Advantages

• Exceptional weather and rot resistance
• Minimal maintenance requirements
• Excellent stability in varying conditions
• Resistant to termites and other insects
• Long lifespan (50+ years for outdoor applications)

Limitations

• Very high cost
• Sustainability concerns with old-growth harvesting
• Oil content can interfere with some adhesives
• Silica content dulls tools quickly
• Can be difficult to finish due to natural oils

Sustainability

Low sustainability profile for old-growth teak. Plantation-grown teak is more sustainable but often of lower quality. Look for FSC-certified teak to ensure responsible forestry practices.

Properties

• High density when processed
• Excellent tensile strength
• Light color with distinctive node patterns
• Rapid growth and renewability
• Good dimensional stability when properly processed
• Naturally antibacterial properties

Applications

• Flooring
• Cabinetry and furniture
• Decorative panels and veneers
• Structural elements (in appropriate applications)
• Window treatments and blinds
• Decorative accents

Common Varieties

Moso bamboo, vertical grain, horizontal grain, strand-woven

Advantages

• Rapid renewability (3-5 years to harvest)
• Harder than many hardwoods when processed
• Contemporary, distinctive appearance
• Good dimensional stability when properly manufactured
• Considered highly sustainable

Limitations

• Quality varies widely between manufacturers
• Some products use adhesives with high VOC content
• Can be damaged by excessive moisture
• Limited structural applications in conventional building
• Color can change with UV exposure

Sustainability

Excellent sustainability profile due to rapid growth cycle. However, processing methods and adhesives used can affect overall environmental impact. Look for products with low-VOC adhesives and responsible harvesting practices.

Properties

• Consistent performance and dimensional stability
• Available in large dimensions not possible with solid wood
• Customizable strength and performance characteristics
• Efficient use of wood fiber
• Reduced susceptibility to warping and splitting
• Uniform appearance without defects

Applications

• Structural panels (plywood, OSB)
• Structural framing (LVL, glulam, I-joists)
• Flooring (engineered hardwood)
• Cabinetry and furniture components
• Interior wall and ceiling panels
• Decorative architectural elements

Common Varieties

Plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), glued laminated timber (glulam), cross-laminated timber (CLT)

Advantages

• Greater dimensional stability than solid wood
• Efficient use of wood resources
• Consistent performance and predictable behavior
• Available in sizes not possible with solid wood
• Often more cost-effective than solid wood

Limitations

• Adhesives may contain formaldehyde or VOCs
• Cannot typically be refinished as many times as solid wood
• Some products have lower moisture resistance
• May not have the same aesthetic appeal as solid wood
• Repair options may be limited compared to solid wood

Sustainability

Generally good sustainability profile due to efficient use of wood fiber and ability to use fast-growing species. Look for products with low-VOC or formaldehyde-free adhesives and FSC-certified wood content.