Hardwood Information

Mature hardwoods supply the nation, and much of the world, with timber used for everything from railroad ties to quality furnishings. U.S. hardwoods are coveted the world over for their warmth and lasting beauty in furniture, cabinetry, millwork and flooring.

Just as each tree is different from the next, so, too are hardwood products individually unique. Hardwoods are characterized by an infinite variety of grains and distinctive textures. Trees grow limbs that fall off as the tree matures. What remains is a knot on the hardwood surface. These natural markings add character to the woods appearance and have absolutely no effect on the wood’s durability and stability.

Here is some specific information about the wood types we offer:

Red Oak

Red Oak is characterized by its orange reddish hue with the sapwood being white to light brown. The wood has a more pronounced opened grain. Red Oak is a very durable wood with good wear-resistance because it has a pronounced open grain; the stain may be absorbed differently depending on the grain pattern. This is the wood you want if you love a warm look. Red Oak has a rating of 1290 on the Janka Hardness Scale*.

Brown Maple

Brown Maple is a unique combination of brown, tan, white and cream which can give a rustic feel. It is a softer wood so it is prone to scratches and denting with a lot of use. Brown Maple’s soft grain absorbs medium to dark stains richly as well as its smooth surface lends itself nicely to painted finishes. Lighter stains reveal the natural characteristics of Brown Maple showing the wood’s broad range of grain color. Brown Maple has a rating of 950 on the Janka Hardness Scale*.

Quarter Sawn White Oak

Quarter Sawn White Oak has a unique grain pattern which is achieved by cutting the wood at a 90 degree angle to the tree’s growth rings. If you love a lot of grain in your furniture quarter sawn is for you. This wood has a cooler white to sage undertone and is very durable with good wear-resistance. Because Quarter Sawn White Oak is cut at an angle it exhibits a tight grain with dramatic light and dark tones. White Oak absorbs stains richly and evenly, because it is a medium-hard wood. The variation of color exhibited in the wood grain is enhanced with staining. Quarter Sawn White Oak has a rating of 1360 on the Janka Hardness Scale*.

Cherry

Cherry wood has a fine satiny, smooth texture and a circular grain pattern. The heartwood of cherry varies from a rich red to reddish brown while the sapwood is creamy white in contrast. It will darken with age and with exposure to light. The wood may also naturally contain brown pith flecks and small pit pockets. It is a softer wood so it is prone to scratches and denting with a lot of use. Cherry wood has a natural reddish hue and this warmth is seen in all of the cherry stains. With the muted grain, Cherry wood has a more even-toned finish. Cherry has a rating of 950 on the Janka Hardness scale*.

Rustic Cherry

Rustic cherry is merely a more unrefined wood then the traditional cherry wood. Most builders will cut the wood in such a way that the amount of pits, sap wood, and knots are minimized. In Rustic Cherry those natural characteristics of Cherry are accentuated. Color ranges from white, brown to deep red with brown flecks.

Hard Maple

Hard Maple is the hardest domestic wood in the USA. Because of its hardness, it is a very durable wood. The sapwood is creamy white with a golden hue and the heartwood varies from light to dark golden brown. The wood has a close, fine texture and a light circular grain pattern. The light tone of Maple makes the stain colors appear bold and bright, while the hard and smooth texture makes it more difficult to stain. The hardness can prevent the stain from soaking into the wood, which can create darker stained areas. This wood captures light and brightens space. Hard Maple has a rating of 1450 on the Janka Hardness Scale*.

Walnut

Walnut is a rich chocolate or purplish brown in color with hints of grey, black and even dark blue. It has a beautiful grain pattern and is the only dark brown domestic hardwood. Over time it will take on a bit of a golden brown color, but it is very slight and mostly unnoticeable. Walnut isn’t as hard as red oak or maple but it is harder than cherry. Walnut has a rating of 1010 on the Janka Hardness Scale*.

Hickory

The contrasting reddish and cream colors make Hickory a beautiful wood for furniture. It has a medium grain that gives an earthy feel with a smooth look. It is also the strongest wood type that we offer. Hickory has a rating of 1820 on the Janka Hardness Scale*.

*The Janka hardness test is a measurement of the force necessary to embed a .444-inch steel ball to half its diameter in wood. It is the industry standard for gauging the ability of various species to tolerate denting and normal wear, as well as being a good indication of the effort required to either nail or saw the particular wood.