Types of Woods Used in Furniture Making

After looking at the pros and cons of metal vs wooden bunk beds, you have decided to purchase a set of wooden bunk beds. Now you have to decide on the type of wood. There are just two types of wood, and they are hardwood, and softwood. Some hardwoods include aspen, cherry, mahogany, maple, oak and walnut and some softwoods include fir, pine, redwood, and spruce. Listed below are characteristics of each wood.

HARDWOODS

Woods

Aspen: Is fine-grained, straight, and uniform in texture, aspen generally lacks distinct pattern. Aspen doesn't contain resin, and has toughness as well as exceptional stiffness. The wood resists splitting when nailing or screwing, and it also glues well. While this wood takes paint readily, it blotches when stained unless you first apply a sealer. It is used in cabinets, floors and furniture including bunk beds.

Cherry: Is close-grained and resists warping and shrinking. It will redden when exposed to sunlight and ages well. It is used in cabinet making, boat trim, novelties, solid furniture handles and turned projects. Although bunk beds can be made of cherry it is not that prevalent in the industry today.

Mahogany: Is fine grain, reddish brown in color. It is very durable and resists swelling shrinking, and warping. Mahogany is used for quality furniture such as cabinets; boat construction; wood facings and veneers.

Maple: Is fine textured, strong and hard. It has moderate shrinkage and machines well. Maple is best used in flooring, fine furniture and woodenware such as bowling alleys. Some of the finest bunk beds are made of Maple.

Oak: Is strong with good bending qualities. It is durable and finishes well and resists moisture absorption. Oak is best used for furniture, trimming, boat framing, desks and flooring. Oak is a very hard material that holds up well under pressure and abuse that children may give to a set of bunk beds.

Walnut: Is fine textured, strong, easy to work with and resists shrinking and warping and finishes well. It is best used for gunstocks, solid and veneered furniture, novelties, cabinetry and wall paneling.

SOFTWOODS

Fir: Works easy and finishes well. It is uniform in texture and nonresinous. Has low resistance to decay. Used in furniture, doors, frames, windows, plywood, veneer, general millwork and interior trim.

Pine: It has uniform texture, works easy and finishes well. It resists shrinkage, swelling and warping. It is used in house construction, paneling and trim. Also used for furniture, molding and boxes.

Redwood: Light in weight, durable and easy to work. Has a natural resistance to decay. Used in outdoor furniture, fencing, house siding, interior finishing, veneering and paneling.

Spruce: Strong and hard. Finishes well and has low resistance to decay. Has moderate shrinkage and light in weight. Used for masts and spars for ships, aircraft, crates, boxes, general millwork and ladders.

Most of the softwoods are not durable or strong enough to be used to make bunk beds, however, you will from time to time see bunk beds made of Pine.

As you can see by their characteristics it is best to use hardwood in manufacturing furniture such as bunk beds. When choosing a hardwood you have to decide which wood is best for you. Are you basing your decision on style of wood, quality of wood or cost? The decision is totally up to you.

Types of Woods Used in Furniture Making

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