Exploring The Different Types Of Wood Available From A Lumber Supplier

When it comes to building, woodworking, or any other project that requires quality materials, choosing the right type of wood is crucial. A lumber supplier can offer a wide range of wood species, each with unique properties, colors, and grain patterns. Here are various types of wood that you can get from a lumber supplier.

Hardwoods

Hardwoods are a popular choice for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and decorative items. They come from broad-leaved trees that are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves annually. Here are some of the most common hardwood species that you can get from a lumber supplier:

• Oak: Oak is one of the most popular hardwoods and is known for its durability and strength. It has a distinctive grain pattern, although the exact pattern can vary from one oak species to another.

• Maple: Maple is a dense, hard, and especially strong hardwood, which makes it especially suitable for high-use surfaces such as hardwood floors. Maple's available in a range of colors, from creamy white to reddish-brown, and has a more subdued grain pattern. Lighter-colored maple boards can also be used as accents in pieces that are generally dark.

• Cherry: Cherry is a medium-density hardwood that has a rich, reddish-brown color and a straight, fine-grain pattern. It's often used in higher-end mass-produced furniture and cabinets, as the consistently straight grain pattern allows manufacturers to produce many pieces that look similar.

Expect to pay a premium for any of these hardwoods. That's why most of their applications are for things that are seen, such as floors and furniture, rather than the interior structure of buildings.

Softwoods

Softwoods come from evergreen trees that have needles or cones, and they are commonly used for construction and fencing. Their softer nature makes them more prone to scuffs and scratches, so they're less frequently used for pieces like furniture or hardwood flooring.

Some softwood species that you can get usually find in a lumber supplier's yard are:

• Pine: Pine is widely available, and perhaps the most frequently used wood. It has a pale yellow or white color and a straight grain pattern and is easy to work with.

• Cedar: Cedar is a softwood that has a reddish-brown color and a distinct, aromatic smell. It's primarily used for outdoor projects, like decking, fencing, and siding, because it withstands the elements well.

You'll generally pay less for softwoods than hardwoods, which is why softwoods are favored for many projects. 

For more info, contact a local lumber supplier.