The types of building wood you consider using within a structure should be based on a careful evaluation of the project’s requirements, budget, and environmental impact.
Wood-framed construction is a popular and affordable method of construction that has many advantages, including sustainability, energy efficiency, and design flexibility. However, it is important to consider the potential risks and challenges associated with wood-framed construction, such as fire risk, durability, moisture management, sound transmission, and environmental concerns.
Wood is one of the most common and versatile building materials used in construction. Its unique combination of strength, workability, and cost efficiency makes it an ideal choice for everything from framing to finishing work.
But not all wood is created equal. Different tree species have varying characteristics that make them suitable for certain applications. It’s important for builders architects and designers to understand the properties of commonly used woods to select the right material for their projects.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll overview the top 8 types of wood used in construction and what makes them popular choices.
1. Pine
Pine is the most abundantly available and affordable softwood in the lumber industry. Its light color and fine, straight grain make it an attractive wood for many indoor uses.
There are over 100 species of pine scattered across the world. In North America, Eastern white pine and ponderosa pine are two of the most commonly used in building.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and soft
- Versatile and easy to work with
- Affordable and widely available
Common Uses:
- Framing lumber
- Siding
- Paneling
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Molding and trim
- Crates and pallets
Pine’s lightweight qualities, affordability, and abundance make it the go-to framing lumber for structural members. Its softness lends to easy machining and re-sawing. Pine accepts stains and paints well.
2. Spruce
Spruce is another important softwood species in construction. It shares many similarities with pine but has a slightly higher density and weight.
Sitka spruce is the most common commercially sold spruce. It produces long, straight, and uniform boards ideal for timber and lumber.
Key Features:
- Straight, uniform grain
- Strong and stiff
- Resilient
- Light color
Common Uses:
- Framing lumber
- Crates
- Millwork
- Boxes and crates
- Musical instruments
- Pulpwood
Spruce’s natural resistance to twisting and warping make it perfect for structural applications like wall studs, rafters, and floor joists. Its strength and stiffness also lend well to crates, boxes, and construction bracing.
3. Fir
Fir trees are part of the pine family, although the wood has some noticeable differences from traditional pine lumber. The wood is harder and stronger than pine.
Douglas fir is the most common type used in construction. It grows natively in western North America.
Key Features:
- Exceptional strength
- Stiff and resistant to bending
- Attractive, muted grain
Common Uses:
- Flooring
- Beams
- Decking
- Doors
- Window frames
- Plywood
- Furniture
Fir is valued for its combination of beauty, strength, and economy. It offers natural resistance to warping and twisting which makes it popular for flooring planks. Fir plywood is used for everything from subflooring to furniture.
4. Sapele
Sapele is a distinctive reddish-brown hardwood that lends a refined, polished look wherever it’s installed. It has an interlocking grain pattern with a uniform texture.
This African hardwood is commercially exported as a mahogany substitute. Its attractive appearance makes it popular for decorative millwork and upscale interiors.
Key Features:
- Attractive grain figure
- Medium to high density
- Stability
- Decent strength
Common Uses:
- Molding and trim
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Cabinets
- Veneer
- Boat building
If you want the refined elegance of mahogany without the high price tag, sapele is a great option. Its distinctive grain patterns make it stand out in any space.
5. Cedar
Cedar has a captivating aroma and natural resistance to decay that makes it ideal for outdoor projects and humid climates. This softwood holds up well against weather, moisture, and insects.
Western red cedar is the most common type used for decks, siding, and outdoor furniture. Eastern white cedar is also commercially available.
Key Features:
- Decay resistance
- Stability
- Attractive color and grain
Common Uses:
- Shingles and roofing
- Decks
- Siding
- Outdoor furniture
- Fencing
- Chests and storage
Cedar’s natural oils also make it resistant to scratching and scuffing. It’s a classic choice for yard structures like storage sheds, planters, and landscaping.
6. Redwood
Redwood is in the same family as cedar and shares many of the same protective oil qualities. It’s exceptionally resistant to moisture, rot, and insects.
Key Features:
- Durability
- Dimensional stability
- Attractive grain patterns
Common Uses:
- Decks
- Outdoor furniture
- Fencing
- Siding
- Landscaping
Redwood’s natural aesthetic beauty makes it stand out for accents and statement pieces. Its ability to endure exposure to sun, rain, frost, and humidity make redwood a go-to for any outdoor application.
7. Oak
Oak is an elite hardwood renowned for its strength, workability, and timeless beauty. There are over 60 species of oak, with red oak and white oak being the most popular.
Oak has a distinctive, pronounced grain pattern. White oak has a lighter tone, while red oak has a slightly more reddish hue.
Key Features:
- Strength
- Durability
- Stability
- Attractive grain
Common Uses:
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Architectural millwork
- Doors and windows
- Boatbuilding
Oak has been a leading choice for quality woodcraft for centuries. Its combination of elegance and durability make it ideal for statement pieces – solid oak doors evoke sophistication and class.
8. Maple
Maple is an exceptionally hard, dense wood. It has a fine, uniform grain that gives it a smooth feel. The most common variant used in construction is hard maple.
Maple takes finishes and stains very well. It can be made to closely resemble pricier woods like cherry or mahogany when stained.
Key Features:
- Extremely hard
- Fine, straight grain
- Light color
- Strong
- Smooth surface
Common Uses:
- Flooring
- Furniture
- Countertops
- Architectural accents
- Cutting boards and butchers blocks
- Workbenches
- Cabinetry
- Pool cues
Maple holds up well to repeated abuse and wear which makes it perfect for commercial and industrial uses. Its smooth surface also makes it popular for finishes like bowling alleys and basketball courts.
This covers the top types of wood used across various construction applications. There are certain characteristics that make each wood uniquely suited to its common uses.
Understanding the properties of various lumber helps architects, carpenters, and designers select the optimal material for structural integrity, aesthetics, and functionality.
While wood choices often come down to budget, the desired look, and availability, builders should also consider:
- Hardness and durability needs
- Structural strength requirements
- Appearance and grain patterns
- Stain acceptance
- Decay and insect resistance
- Environmental factors
Experimenting with different woods and finishes during your next project helps develop an intuition for working with each material. Over time, you’ll gain experience knowing which wood is right for the job.
The possibilities are endless when you leverage the diversity of wood species available today. Whether you need an affordable framing lumber or a refined hardwood for an accent wall, there’s a wood to meet your needs.
Now that you’re familiar with characteristics of the most common species, it’s time to get building! Put this wood knowledge into practice on your next construction project.
Hardwood Vs Softwood In Wood Framed Construction
The choice between hardwood and softwood for timber framing depends on several factors, such as the intended use of the structure, the location and climate of the building site, and personal preferences.
When it comes to timber framing, softwoods like pine, fir and spruce are the materials of choice due to their affordability, easy access and outstanding structural qualities. They are also lightweight, making them easier to work with, and they tend to dry quickly, which reduces the risk of warping or cracking.
Hardwoods, such as oak, ash, and maple, are typically stronger and denser than softwoods, which can make them more durable and resistant to wear and tear. They also tend to be more visually appealing, with attractive grain patterns and colours that can add to the aesthetic appeal of a timber frame structure. However, hardwoods can be more expensive and harder to work with than softwoods, and they may not be as readily available in certain regions.
Ultimately, the choice between hardwood and softwood for timber framing depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you are building a structure in a location with harsh weather conditions or high humidity, you may want to consider using a stronger, more durable hardwood. However, if cost and ease of use are your primary concerns, softwood may be the better option.
Types of Engineered Wood
The most common types of engineered wood construction materials include:
- Plywood
- Oriented strand board (OSB)
- Laminated wood – Laminated veneer lumber (LVL)/Cross Laminated timber
- Glued laminated timber (glulam)
If you need to install flooring in spaces that are prone to high levels of moisture, choosing engineered wood flooring is a more viable option than solid timber and other types of building wood.
Given that it is less prone to moisture damage than solid wood, it is an optimal material for kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Engineered wood is suitable for the following applications:
- Flooring
- Cabinetry
- Furniture
- Structural building components
Framing timber, often referred to as structural wood, provides strength and stability to buildings and structures.
Builders commonly use softwood, hardwood, and engineered timber for construction, as each type has its unique advantages and applications.
Timber frames have become increasingly popular because they provide more room for insulation and possess remarkable natural thermal capabilities.
Timber framing is often an essential component in the construction of:
- Walls
- Roof trusses
- Floor joists
Wood frame construction boasts strength, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and versatility, making it an ideal choice for construction projects of all sizes and types, commercial and residential structures alike.
Best types of WOOD FOR WOODWORKING || Different kinds of lumber
FAQ
What are the grades of lumber?
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Grade
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Trade Name
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Min. Area of clear cuttings required
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Firsts and Seconds
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FAS
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83-1/3%
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FAS One Face
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F1F
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83-1/3%
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Select
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SEL
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83-1/3%
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No. 1 Common
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1C
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66-2/3%
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What are the different types of wood?
Examples of softwood include spruce, pine, fir, cedar, and hemlock. Hardwood includes oak, teak, maple, mahogany, cherry, and walnut. Engineered wood includes the likes of plywood, MDF board, and composite board. Wood is a widely preferred construction material due to its various advantages.
What type of wood is used in home construction?
Wood that can resist decay and degradation agents over time tends to cost more but is worth the investment in the long run. The main types of wood used in home construction are hardwood, softwood, or engineered wood. Examples of softwood include spruce, pine, fir, cedar, and hemlock. Hardwood includes oak, teak, maple, mahogany, cherry, and walnut.
Is wood a good construction material?
Wood is a naturally occurring construction material usually available in large quantities. Wood varies in type and usage as the primary properties depend on the type of tree used. The availability of wood makes it a convenient and highly affordable construction material.
What are the different types of hardwoods?
Common hardwood species include oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, and walnut. Hardwood species are not always necessarily stronger than softwoods, but many species are well known for their beautiful and distinct wood grain patterns. There are also some woods which are considered to be hardwoods that are not deciduous trees, such as Bamboo and Palm.
