Wood Species
Learn the special characteristics of popular wood types.
Wood Species | Type | Uses | Weight | Strength | Grain/Texture |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alder, red | Hard | Inexpensive furniture, interior trim | Light | Moderate | Indistinct, fine |
Ash, black | Hard | Furniture, veneer | Medium | Strong | Figured, coarse |
Beech | Hard | Furniture, flooring | Heavy | Strong | Uniform, very little figure, fine |
Birch | Hard | Furniture, cabinets, plywood, doors, veneer | Heavy | Strong | Uniform, fine |
Cherry | Hard | Furniture, veneer, paneling | Heavy | Strong | Delicate figuring, fine |
African Mahogany | Hard | Furniture, cabinets, veneer | Medium | Moderate | Figured, coarse |
American Mahogany | Hard | Furniture, cabinets, veneer | Medium | Strong | Figured, coarse |
Philippine Mahogany | Hard | Plywood, furniture, cabinets, flooring | Heavy | Strong | Figured, coarse |
Maple | Hard | Flooring, furniture | Heavy | Strong | Delicate figuring, fine |
Oak, red & white |
Hard | Flooring, furniture, millwork | Heavy | Strong | Figured, especially when quarter-sawn, coarse |
Pine, knotty | Soft | Construction | Light | Weak | Straight, fine |
Pine, ponderosa | Soft | Trim, doors | Light | Weak to moderate | Uniform, fine |
Pine, white | Soft | Pallet, trim | Light | Weak | Uneven, fine |
Poplar | Hard | Furniture, cabinets, siding | Medium | Moderate | Delicate figuring, fine |
Rosewood, Brazilian & Indian | Hard | Veneer, furniture | Heavy | Strong | Figured, coarse |
Teak | Hard | Veneer, furniture, flooring | Heavy | Strong | Figured, coarse |
Walnut | Hard | Furniture, cabinets, woodwork | Heavy | Strong | Delicate, uniform figuring; fine |
Wood Finishing Process
3 Easy Steps to a Beautiful Finish
Tips and Techniques
More How-To Tips & Instructions
Minwax® Inspiration
Minwax® Community
Get Inspired
Take hold of inspiration. Discover exciting project ideas for your home.