Different Cuts

Plain Cut

Most common, least expensive and fastest to produce. Cutting parallel through the log, plain sawn wood planks are wider and can be milled with minimal waste. Displays varied grain patterns.

Quarter Cut

More durable than plain and rift cut lumber with an increased moisture resistance, meaning it is less likely to warp. Displays as a very straight grain pattern.

Rift Cut

Typically narrow with a very straight grain pattern on the face of the board. Typically used with oak to avoid the flecks that are common in the species.

Oak

Oak is a heavy, strong hardwood that is often used in furniture and cabinetry construction. Oak comes in two types of varieties – white and red.

White Oak

Colours / Appearance – Consistent medium to light brown with an olive shade.

Grain / Texture – Grain is straight, with coarse, uneven texture.

Rot Resistance – Very durable, used outdoors.

Work-ability – Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Has moderately high shrinkage values. responds well to steam-bending, glues, stains and finishes well.

Pricing / Availability – Lots of availability in a good range of widths and thicknesses. More expensive than Red Oak, prices are moderate for a hardwood.

Red Oak

Colours / Appearance – Consistent medium to light brown with a red shade.

Grain / Texture – Grain is straight, with a coarse, uneven texture.

Rot Resistance – Rated as non-durable to perishable, with poor insect resistance. Red Oaks do not have the level of decay and rot resistance that White Oaks possess. 

Work-ability – Produces good results with hand and machine tools. Has moderately high shrinkage values, responds well to steam-bending, glues, stains and finishes well.

Pricing / Availability – Abundant availability in a good range of widths and thicknesses. Less expensive than White Oak, prices are moderate for a hardwood.

Ash

Colours / Appearance – Consistent light to medium brown colour.

Grain / Texture – Medium to coarse texture similar to oak. The grain is almost always straight and regular.

Rot Resistance – Ash is not resistant to insect attacks, not recommended for outdoor use.

Work-ability – Produces good results with hand or machine tools. Responds well to steam bending, glues, stains and finishes.

Pricing / Availability – Ash is among the least expensive hardwoods available domestically; it compares similarly to oak.

Cherry

A strong hardwood with a warm honey finish. Used a lot in the casegoods and table tops.

Colours / Appearance – Ranging from a medium reddish brown to pale yellowish colour.

Grain / Texture – Usually straight and easy to work with.

Rot Resistance – Very durable and resistant to decay.

Work-ability – Known as being one of the best all-around woods for work-ability. It is stable and straight-grained. The only difficulties typically arise if the wood is being stained, as it can sometimes give blotchy results.

Pricing / Availability – It is a domestic lumber but it is in the medium-high price range.

Mahogany

Colours / Appearance – There is a fair degree of colour variations between species of mahogany. Ranging from a deep redish brown to a tan brown often with purple to amber overtones. Short but dark ray flecks on flat sawn surfaces.

Grain / Texture – Straight grained with a uniform density, has a natural luster.

Rot Resistance – Rated as very durable. During seasonal changes in humidity, mahogany exhibits minimal shrinkage and swelling.

Work-ability – Excellent work-ability. Known for its cooperative nature and easy sanding and machining. It finishes well with shellac, oils and varnishes.

Pricing / Availability – Mahogany is in the high price range.

Walnut

Unique that it is one of the only woods that is natural rich, deep chocolate brown. It is almost stained, and is vert popular for use in furniture.

Colours / Appearance – can range from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown with darker brown streaks with a gray, purple or reddish shade.

Grain / Texture – Grain is usually straight, but can be irregular.

Rot Resistance – Rated as very durable of decay and resistance.

Work-ability – Easy to work if the grain is straight and regular. Although it is rarely tampered with it reacts well to stains and finishes, and responds well to steam bending.

Pricing / Availability – Very popular and widely available. Considered a premium domestic hardwood, prices are in the high range.

OUTDOOR

Teak continues to be the premier wood used in manufacturing outdoor furniture. It has a very tight grain that makes it so resistant to water damage and insect infestation. It has a golden-brown colour that will naturally patina into a light grey over time due to weather, unless oiled once a year to keep up the golden tone.

Teak is more expensive than other woods but due to its durability and long life span it is the premier choice.