It can be a tricky decision, picking the correct wood for a particular project. The myriad of colours, grades, species, types, not to mention all of the differing mechanical properties, it’s no wonder wood is one of the most versatile materials available.
In this guide, we hope to help demystify many of these differences and explain the jargon so you can make a more informed choice for your projects. It’s split in to X sections for your convenience as follows;
- Part 1: Species
- Part 2: Sheets/Panels
- Part 3: Timber (Coming Soon)
Species
“It’s wood, right?”
So when we’re talking about ‘species’ of wood, we’re actually referring to the source, the species of tree. Much like in the rest of nature, differing species grow in (and are therefore more commonly available in) different climates. Typically these are categorised by continent and you will find that your geographical location in relation to the source of a particular species of wood will greatly influence it’s price. A black walnut from North America for example, will cost you significantly more in Europe than in the region of origin – a pity really, as it’s a beautiful wood for fine carpentry.
Invariably, species also fall in to one of two overarching families, softwoods and hardwoods. The difference…
Softwoods, Hardwoods
Sheet Material – Plywood, MDF, OSB, Chipboard, Veneer, Laminates
Specialised/Engineered Materials
