What is hardwood?

There are many different types of hardwood that can be used for all sorts of home improvement projects. Hardwoods are generally used in furniture and other woodworking construction. Anything from benches for your garden, to molding in your house can be made with hardwoods. All one needs is the right set of tools and some hardwood, and you can create beautiful details that can allow your house to become your home.

      Oak is the most commonly used hardwood for woodworking projects. It has an “open grain” which means it does not take finishing well without a lot of surface preparation. Wood fillers must be used to fill the open grain before applying final finishes so you can get a beautiful glass-like finish to the piece. The wood is light-colored, but can be stained with any number of products to create the desired finished. This type of wood can be found at your local home supply store or a local store specializing in hardwoods. Oak is a bit more expensive than poplar, but not nearly as expensive as maple or mahogany, the most expensive type of hardwood.

      Poplar is another popular type of hardwood that is “close grained.” It is such a popular choice because it is very easy to work. It is generally straight with no wavy grain patterns. Woodworkers frequently use it as the hidden parts of fine furniture in the support parts because of its strength and durability. It can be used for general woodworked pieces as well, though. Popular is the least expensive of the hardwoods, making it an ideal wood for test projects. Between the low price, and ease of working, poplar is certainly a great choice for the beginning projects of the newfound woodworker.

      Another type of wood is maple, of which there are two varieties -- hard and soft. The wood can be more difficult to work with for the beginning woodworker. The wavy grain patterns characterize the wood and, as a result, the wood takes refined skill to cut well. Maple is another light colored wood that can be used for general furniture pieces and any other general home improvement project. Advanced woodworkers would certainly be able to create beautiful projects with maple, as they would have the ability to work with the hardwood well. Again, these projects can certainly add decorative touches to any area of the home.

      Mahogany is a traditional hardwood used for fine furniture. An open grained wood, it needs wood fillers to create the glassy finish. Mahogany is the most expensive of the mentioned woods and can generally only be found at specialty hardware stores.  

      Another type of wood is # 1 grade pine that can easily be used in a variety of home projects. This type of wood is a soft wood, but can be used in furniture. This type of wood is used for furniture, but not major construction. It is valued for its lack of knots and checks, which some woodworkers may consider flaws. It is expensive for a soft wood, but can still be used in beautiful home improvement projects.