10 Types Of Wood And Their Uses Around The Home

Wood has been used in homes for millennia and is still one of the most versatile materials. An increase in sustainable forestry has also made it one of the most eco-friendly materials you can use. But just what type of timber should one choose? There are many different types of wood to choose from and each one has its own unique properties. Below are 10 of the most popular timbers and when to use them around the home.

Oak 

Oak is the most popular hardwood and is arguably one of the most versatile timbers. It’s attractive grain, durability and water resistance make it as suitable for a dining table as it is for decking. Although a lot more expensive than most softwoods, it’s still relatively cheap compared to some other hardwoods. It is also increasingly used with framing and beams for a real vintage effect according to building and property buying specialist, Ruban Selvanayagam.

Pine

Pine is the most popular softwood and is renowned for being very affordable. It’s light tone and light weight make it very suitable for furniture. And although not as durable as hardwoods like oak, it’s still very tough for a softwood - making it equally suitable for applications like flooring or fencing. This Homedit guide explains more about how to use pine around the home.

Cedar

Cedar may come at a more premium price compared to other softwoods, but it makes up for it by having some unique benefits: it’s pretty much pest-proof and offers very good noise resistance compared to other timbers. Consequently, cedar is popular as a beautiful rustic roofing material. Companies like Angle Ridge Remodeling Roofing Service can help you install this roofing. 

Teak

Teak is a hardwood that is sometimes referred to as the ‘king of woods’ due to its attractive golden color, impressive durability and superior water resistance. It is one of the best materials for outdoor furniture and decking because of its moisture resistance. It does however come at a higher price than all the timbers listed above.

Maple

Maple is a hardwood with a white reddish appearance. It’s one of the most affordable hardwoods available, costing not too much more than pine. It’s excellent durability and creamy appearance make it ideal for applications like countertops. 

Walnut 

Walnut is a hardwood with a dark chocolate appearance. It is one of the most expensive woods you can buy and is therefore almost always reserved for specialist furniture or luxury interior features. There is a wood that is even more luxurious however…

Mahogany

Mahogany is one of the most renowned high-end woods and the most expensive timber listed here. It is a hardwood and it has a dark reddish brown appearance. Mahogany is almost always reserved for luxurious furniture or small luxury details. 

Alder 

Along with maple, alder is one of the most affordable hardwoods. For a hardwood, it is known for being very soft. However, it has a very attractive knotted appearance and is very easy to work with, making it popular for decorative woodwork and cabinetry. It is also a popular choice for doors. 

Elm

Elm is a moderately priced hardwood with a smooth texture. It’s waterproof, lightweight and durable, making it one of the most suitable materials for a dining table. It’s also commonly used to make other furniture. 

Bamboo

Although often classed as timber, bamboo is technically not a wood, but in fact a grass! And yet it’s more durable than most hardwoods (it’s twice as hard as oak), as well as being cheaper than most timbers. It’s unsurprising therefore that it’s become an incredibly popular construction material. Flooring is arguably one of its best applications.