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11 Different Types of Wood

A detailed list of the most common types of wood for home projects.

Updated on

January 26, 2024

There are various types of wood, each offering unique qualities and applications. These include mahogany, pine, redwood, maple, oak, teak, and other hidden gems.

It is therefore important to carefully select the right type of wood for your project to avoid undesirable outcomes.

Here is a list of 11 different types of wood and their uses.

1. Mahogany

Mahogany is easily one of the most common wood names that people are aware of. It comes from the mahogany tree – a premium-grade hardwood that grows in West Africa, the West Indies, and Central and South America.

The tree, which can grow as tall as 150 feet, produces some very smooth and extremely strong wood that tends to be rich or brown-red.

Mahogany is a very dense wood that is resistant to both rot and insect attacks. It also resists shrinking, swelling, and warping.

These qualities make mahogany one of the best types of wood for floors, floors, high-quality furniture, cabinetry, as well as high-end flooring.

2. Pine

Pine is a soft wood that comes from various species of pine trees that grow in many parts of the world. It has a pale or yellow look, depending on the species.

Pine is a less dense type of wood that does not offer much resistance to rot and insect attacks. It is also prone to cupping or warping.

Its fair share of knots—some varieties are marketed as ‘knotty pine’—makes it a great choice for rustic furniture, shelving, decking, and wall paneling.

3. Cedar

Cedar is a popular type of wood that comes from various species of coniferous trees, with red and white cedars being the most common varieties.

The highly aromatic softwood is naturally rot-and insect-resistant.

Cedar is a durable and lightweight type of wood, which makes it ideal for a variety of indoor and outdoor woodwork projects, such as fencing.

However, it is does not perform well in the ground, although some adult cedar and heart wood can last for many years without requiring any replacement.

4. Redwood

Redwood rarely appears the list of common wood names, although many people are familiar with its nickname, sequoia.

It comes from redwood trees, which are recognized as the tallest trees in the world – growing as tall as 400 feet.

Redwood is an extremely soft and lightweight wood whose colour ranges from light white or yellow to red and reddish-brown, depending on the exact species.

This type of wood has a rough texture and is highly rated for rot and insect resistance, which makes it a great choice for outdoor projects such as fences, exterior furniture, decks, veneers, etc.

5. Oak

Oak is one of the most popular woods for hardwood floors, obtained from oak trees that grow in the United States and many other parts of the world.

There are two types of oak: red and white. Both varieties are extremely dense and tough, with straight-grained, rough textures.

The white variety is known for its fleck – a wavy, contrasting pattern that emerges during the sawing process.

Oak is also highly rated in terms of rot and bug resistance, and it tends to bend easily, which makes it an excellent choice for boat making and wine barrels.

Oak is also used for furniture, flooring, mill work, and cabinetry.

6. Teak

Teak is one of the most popular types of wood on the market thanks to its imposing looks and superior durability.

This type of wood comes from the teak tree, which naturally grows in southern Asia and on farms in Africa, Latin America, and other tropical regions.

It has some natural oils that repel water and insects.

While teak shares a lot of similarities with mahogany, it is easy to distinguish the two by observing the colors: teak is brown, while mahogany is often reddish.

Teak is used on a variety of projects, mainly in the boat making industry. It is also a popular material for making furniture, carvings, and other carpentries.

7. Walnut

Walnut is a popular type of wood extracted from the black walnut tree that commonly grows across the eastern United States.

Walnut trees can grow up to 120 feet tall and produce a rich chocolatey wood that tends to be straight-grained with occasional waves and contrasting patterns.

Its color varies from light brown to deep chocolate.

Walnut is extremely resistance to rot, but is prone to insect attacks. It is commonly used for medium- to high-end furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, and turned items.

8. Poplar

Poplar, a lightly colored cream or yellowish-brown hardwood, is one of the most popular wood names among painters and DIY devotees.

It is obtained from poplar trees that commonly grow across the eastern United States – attaining heights of up to 160 feet.

Being a softer hardwood, poplar is easy to work with, even for individuals using small hand tools. It also supports painting very well, which makes it popular for painted projects such as painted shelves, doors, and cabinet face frames.

9. Birch

Obtained from birch trees that grow in the eastern U.S., mainly in the Northeast, birch is a very economical hardwood. This type of wood is often smooth and tight-grained with a relatively even look.

Birch is quite heavy and strong, although it is easy to cut with sharp tools. However, the wood tends to shrink as it dries.

Birchwood is ideal for mill work, furniture cabinetry, flooring, and toy making.

10. Cherry

Cherry is without a doubt one of the best known wood names on the market. It comes from cherry trees, which offer more than just fruit.

Cherry wood is creamy white to reddish-brown and darkens with age. The grain is straight and close-fitting, giving cherry wood a uniform appearance.

Cherry wood produces some of the smoothest, highest-end-looking finishes on the market, which makes it popular for high-end furniture, flooring, and paneling.

11. Maple

Obtained from a rock or sugar maple tree, the less popular variety of red maple – the most common tree species in the U.S., maple is a hardwood that varies between white, yellow and a rich golden colour.

Its grain is quite straight and tends to show in light brown bands.

Maple has a smooth, fine texture that finishes nicely, making it a popular choice for veneers, baseball bats, musical instruments, flooring, etc.

FAQ

What are the 3 types of wood?

The types of wood are categorized into three main groups: softwood, hardwood, engineered wood. It’s worth noting that, contrary to common perception, softwoods are not necessarily soft, and hardwoods are not always hard.

What is the most common type of wood?

Oak wood is easily the most commonly used types of hardwood. It is known for its distinctive grain finish and versatile applications.

How many types of wood are used for furniture?

There are three types of wood used in furniture: solid wood, particleboard or MDF, and plywood. Variations within these categories, ranging from high to lower quality, directly impact the long-term durability of the furniture and its pricing.