There is a relatively wide range of types of wood used in construction. But there are about 10 very common types that will be reviewed here. Which type you use has a lot to do with the project you'll be tackling. For some applications, one type of wood has advantages over another. The right type of wood can make or break a project, in fact. Since you want the best results for every project, the information below should be useful in steering you in the right direction.
If you're unsure of the ins and outs of using wood for construction, check out the types of building wood listed here and their attributes.
Hardwood vs. Softwood
Before we explore specific wood types, the topic of hardwood versus softwood should be explored. Any leaf-bearing tree from which timber or lumber is made is considered hardwood. Cone-bearing trees produce softwood. Different qualities are possessed by the two types of wood for construction, making them less or more useful in certain applications.
Here are some of the attributes of each.
Softwoods:
- Suitable for constructing window frames, doors, and furniture
- Thin
- Light
Hardwoods:
- Suitable for supportive structures like floors, ceilings, and walls
- Dense
- Heavy
Even though certain woods for construction fall under the soft or hard category, they are not all created equally within that group.
Let’s check out the softwoods first.
Hemlock
Often used to construct subflooring, joinery, and as lumber.
- Non-resinous
- Moderate strength
- Lightweight
Spruce
You will very often see spruce used in aircraft, ship masts, and cladding.
- Lightweight
- Compared to other softwood, spruce is harder
- Strong
Firwood
Frequently used in the construction of door frames, doors, and various types of furniture.
- Stain resistant
- Compared to other softwoods, firwood is also harder
- Uniform texture
Cedar
Frequently used to line boxes and drawers. Wardrobes are often constructed of cedarwood, as well.
- Resists insects
- Resistant to decay
- Uniform texture
- Very soft
Pine
When pine comes into contact with soil, it is prone to decaying very easily. But it’s:
- Easy to stain and shape
- Straight grained
- Lightweight
Next are some hardwoods.
Rosewood
Frequently used for tool handles and musical instruments.
- Sweet scent
- Durable
- Hard
Teakwood
Common uses include partitions, windows, and doors. Garden benches and other outdoor furniture may also be made from teak.
- Burn resistant
- Resists decay
- Warp resistant
- Resists weather
- Durable
- Strong
- Heavy
Maple
Often used to create household furniture like bedside tables, shelves, etc.
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Shock resistant
- Strong
Oak
Frequently used when making furniture for the house (think cabinets and bookshelves).
- Resists fungus
- Resists moisture
- Strong
- Heavy
Ash
Frequently used for constructing instruments (think drums, guitars, etc.) and structural frames.
- Attractive finish
- Good elasticity
- Porous
- Heavy and dense
- Strong
- Very hard
Now that you're familiar with the types of wood used in construction, you'll need tools, additional materials, hardware, and accessories to go along with the wood you choose.
Working with Wood? Factory Direct Has the Tools And Accessories You Need
No matter what you're making with wood, you can count on Factory Direct Supply for the tools, hardware, and accessories you need to complete your project. Take, for example, our Simpson Strong-Tie DWP wood screws. It's perfect for use with engineered wood, standard wood, and polymer materials. This screw will penetrate hardwood products with ease thanks to the specially designed sharp point.
Working on a masonry project rather than lumber, or lumber and masonry? If you need anchors instead of screws, we've got you covered there, too, with our wide collection of products available.
