Choosing the Perfect Wood Type for Your Projects

Starting your DIY can be overwhelming, especially when trying to determine what wood species you want to use. There are many pros and cons to each type of wood, and knowing your design aesthetic and if you plan to paint or stain your project will greatly help you decide the perfect wood for your project.

To help you determine this, here are some common traits for each wood type we offer at Highland Manor.

Soft Maple

Just because “Soft” is in the name, that doesn’t mean it will damage easily. Soft Maple is actually a hardwood and consists of Red, Silver, and Bigleaf Maple trees that tend to be softer than Hard Maple. However, it is still really dense compared to other hardwood.

Due to the different kinds of Maple used to describe Soft Maple, it is often not the best for clear coats, but it can be perfect for painting as it absorbs the color well and gives a smooth finish. 

Hard Maple

Hard Maple trees include the Sugar Maple, Black Maple and Florida Maple trees which are harder than the Soft Maple trees. These trees take longer to grow and harvest making the wood more expensive for projects.

Overall, due to the density of the wood, Hard Maple is more durable and perfect if you are concerned about denting and scratching. The uniformity of the wood creates the perfect surface for clear coat and stain finishes. 

Pine

Pine wood is a lightweight softwood that is much more affordable than other options. It tends to resist shrinking and swelling, making it an appealing option.

Visually, it is not as uniform as other woodgrains as it has knots within the grain that can absorb paint and other finishes. Due to the lightweight nature of the wood, it can be more susceptible to damage.

It can be the perfect option for a more rustic, distressed or farmhouse look.

Red Oak

Red Oak is a very heavy wood that has an attractive woodgrain. The wood itself is much less likely to warp in the sunlight and is more resistant to wear and tear than other woods. Red Oak is a popular option for staining. 

Cherry

Cherry wood is classically known for its natural rich red/brown tone.  Cherry wood often contains sapwood or light tones within the wood.  It has a fine, uniform grain that is perfect for staining and has a smooth finish for your end results.

Ready to get started? 

Find your perfect island legs and table legs and click on your favorite wood type.