Choosing the perfect wood is the most important and primary task before starting on a woodworking project. You cannot entrust the task of choosing to any other person because it is you who knows what is to be done with the wood.
The following are some tips on how to choose the most suitable wood from a lumber mart.
Though there are many kinds of wood, each has distinct characteristics. Identifying these characteristics will help you decide which is the best type of wood to suit your purpose.
Classes of Wood
According to the kind of trees they are obtained from, hardwoods and softwoods are the two major types of wood.
Plants which are categorized as angiosperms are the source of hardwoods. These types of trees bear flowers and have leaves that are broad. On the other hand, coniferous trees, or gymnosperms, supply softwoods. These trees bear seeds but not flowers.
Much to the contrary of its name, softwood is stronger than the hardwood and is used in making frameworks and for flooring purpose.
Grades of Wood
The two grades of woods are 'select' and 'common.'
The select type of wood is of excellent quality and is fully free from blemishes of any kind. Items that require a beautiful finish and 'look' are generally made of this kind of wood.
Woods with flaws in their appearance are the common grade lumbers that are used for general constructional purposes.
Types of Wood
Woods that are best suited for your need can be of various types. The bigger your starting selection of wood types, the more difficulty there is in choosing the right kind for your purpose. Therefore, special characteristics of each kind should be known before choosing the wood.
- When decorative items are needed for general indoor use, pine is the ideal option since it can be stained into a host of colors. It also offers durability and stability and is easy to curve into different shapes, so it is the best option for making cabinets.
- When a smooth look is wanted, poplar suits the bill since it is free of pores. An even smoother look can be obtained by applying a coat of paint.
- When outdoor furniture and fences are to be made, redwood is a great choice since it is naturally resistant to decay.
- Woods that are best suited for making outdoor walls are those that are treated chemically to resist different decaying agents, like moisture.
- Oak, maple, cherry, and some other woods have grain patterns on them which are aesthetically pleasing. They are popular in making sculptural furnishings with accented designs.
- Due to its somewhat reddish hue and its ability to create a nice polished finish, rosewood is commonly used in making musical instruments.
Armed with this knowledge of the characteristics of various types of woods, it will now be easier for you to choose the right wood for the kind of woodworking project you want to make.
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