Building Like a Boss! Types of Hardwood for Every Project

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Hey there, guys! Today, we’re diving into the wonderful world of hardwood!

Ever wondered what makes that dining room table so sturdy, or that guitar so rich-sounding? The answer might be hardwood.

A versatile material prized by furniture makers, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates beautiful, long-lasting materials.

Hardwood comes from broad-leafed trees, unlike softwoods like pine. This makes it generally denser and stronger, perfect for crafting everything from elegant cabinets to stunning cutting boards.

Feeling inspired to tackle your first hardwood project?

Lets we’ll explore the different types of hardwood available, their unique properties, and how to choose the perfect one to bring your vision to life!

And if you want to know about ALL the woods not just hardwood, check this out!

Light and Lovely Types of Hardwoods

Let’s start with some lighter-colored hardwoods. These woods are great for projects where you want the natural beauty of the wood to shine through.

Alder

Alder is a budget-friendly light reddish-brown hardwood that takes stain well. It’s a versatile wood that works well for a variety of projects, from simple picture frames to built-in bookshelves.

Alder is a popular choice for painted projects, as it takes paint evenly and provides a smooth finish.

Apple Wood

Applewood boasts a creamy light-brown color with a fine, tight grain. It polishes beautifully and has a faint, sweet scent when worked with.

While not the most common wood at lumberyards, it can sometimes be found at specialty woodworking stores or even reclaimed from fallen branches on your own property.

Here’s the thing, applewood is a bit on the denser side, so it’s not ideal for large furniture pieces. However, its tight grain and beautiful finish make it perfect for smaller, more detailed projects.

Ash

Ash has a light, creamy color with a straight, prominent grain. It’s known for its exceptional strength and elasticity, making it a great choice for projects that need to withstand a bit of wear and tear.

Think baseball bats or high-traffic furniture pieces like chairs or tables. But ash isn’t all brawn and no beauty.

It takes stain well and polishes to a smooth, satiny finish, adding a touch of sophistication to any project.

Beech

Beech boasts a creamy white to light brown color with a fine, even grain. It’s incredibly strong and stiff for its light weight, making it a workhorse despite its delicate appearance.

Beech also polishes to a beautiful, glassy finish that can easily be mistaken for more expensive hardwoods.

PRO TIP: while beech can be stained, it tends to absorb stain unevenly, so it often shines brightest in its natural state or with a light wash that enhances its creamy hue.

Birch

Birch is another fantastic light-colored hardwood option. It has a beautiful creamy color and tight grain, making it a versatile choice for furniture, cabinets, and trim.

Birch is known for its exceptional strength despite its light weight, allowing you to create sturdy pieces without adding too much bulk.

Butternut (White Walnut)

Butternut (also known as white walnut) has a light tan to light brown color, often with subtle streaks and flecks.

Its claim to fame is its incredibly fine and even grain, which makes it a dream to work with for hand tools and detailed projects. Butternut also boasts a beautiful satiny luster when finished, adding a touch of elegance to any piece.

PRO TIP: Butternut is on the softer side of the hardwood spectrum. While it’s great for some applications, it’s not ideal for high-traffic areas or projects that will endure a lot of wear and tear.

Maple

Maple is a classic choice for light-colored hardwood projects.

It has a smooth, tight grain that takes stain beautifully, making it perfect for a variety of styles, from clean and modern to traditionally elegant.

Hard maple, also known as sugar maple, is the denser of the two most common varieties (soft maple being the other) and is ideal for high-wear areas like flooring or countertops.

Pearwood

Pearwood isn’t your average hardwood.

Pearwood comes in a range of stunning hues, from a light pinkish-brown to a rich, reddish-brown with a subtle shimmer. It has a very fine and even grain, similar to its fruit-bearing namesake, the pear.

This tight grain makes it incredibly smooth to the touch and ideal for detailed carvings and inlay work.

Something to keep in mind, pearwood is a pretty darn hard wood. While this makes it incredibly durable, it also means it can be a bit challenging to work with for beginners.

Poplar

Poplar is another affordable choice in the light-colored hardwood category.

With a creamy white color and very even grain, it’s a perfect wood for painted projects or for those who want a clean, modern look.

Poplar is very easy to work with, making it a great choice for beginners who are just getting started with woodworking.

Warming it Up: Medium Toned Hardwoods

Now, if you’re looking for something with a bit more warmth, then we can explore the world of medium-colored hardwoods. These woods offer a richer look that can add depth and character to your projects.

Cherry

Cherry is a popular pick for beginners and professionals alike. It has a beautiful reddish hue that deepens with age, and its tight grain makes it a joy to work with.

Cherry is perfect for everything from kitchen cabinets to elegant tables, adding a touch of warmth and sophistication to your space.

Elm

Elm may have taken a backseat to some of its flashier hardwood cousins in recent years, but this resilient wood is definitely having a comeback!

Elm boasts a light to medium brown color with a distinctive straight grain that can sometimes have a pleasing burled pattern.

It’s known for its exceptional strength and shock resistance, making it a great choice for furniture pieces that need to withstand a bit of a beating. Think sturdy dining tables, chairs, or even bed frames.

There is a downside though, elm, particularly young elm, can be susceptible to warping and insect infestation if not properly cared for.

Hickory

Hickory, with its slightly darker tones ranging from light tan to reddish brown, is a great choice for sturdy furniture pieces like chairs or tables.

It’s incredibly strong and resistant to shock, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.

Hickory also has a beautiful, pronounced grain pattern that adds a touch of rustic charm to your projects.

Mahogany

Mahogany boasts a heartwood that ranges from a light, warm pink to a deep, rich reddish-brown, often deepening in color with age.

Beyond its visual appeal, mahogany offers surprising strength and durability. While not the hardest wood on the spectrum, its moderate hardness makes it ideal for projects that demand longevity without being overly heavy.

Think of heirloom furniture pieces, boatbuilding applications, or even flooring that will withstand the test of time.

Oak, Red and White

Ah, oak – the quintessential hardwood!

For centuries, this strong, beautiful wood has been a favorite among woodworkers for countless projects.

But within the world of oak, there are two main contenders: red oak and white oak. So, which one is right for your next masterpiece? Let’s break it down!

Red Oak

Red oak boasts a warm reddish-brown color that deepens with age. It has a pronounced grain pattern that adds a touch of rustic character to any project.

Red oak is readily available and generally more affordable than white oak, making it a popular choice for furniture, cabinets, flooring, and trim work.

White Oak

White oak, on the other hand, has a lighter color palette, ranging from a light tan to a pale honey.

It has a straighter, more subtle grain pattern compared to red oak, giving it a clean and sophisticated look.

White oak is prized for its exceptional strength, stability, and resistance to rot and moisture, making it a perfect choice for heirloom furniture pieces, flooring, boat building, and even outdoor applications.

Pecan

Pecan wood might conjure up images of delicious pies, but don’t underestimate its potential in the woodworking world!

Pecan boasts a warm light to medium brown color, often with a hint of red. It has a beautiful, swirling grain pattern that can add visual interest to your projects.

Pecan is a very hard and dense wood, making it incredibly durable and resistant to dents and scratches. This strength, along with its natural oils, makes pecan a good option for high-traffic areas like floors or countertops.

Keep in mind, pecan can be susceptible to shrinkage and movement with humidity changes.

Walnut

Walnut, with its rich chocolatey tones and beautiful figuring (natural grain patterns), is a classic choice for dark-colored hardwoods.

It’s known for its smooth grain and exceptional finishing qualities, making it perfect for high-end furniture and heirloom pieces.

Walnut adds a touch of sophistication and warmth to any space.

Going Bold with Dark Hardwoods

Dark types of hardwoods make a real statement, and with a little practice, you can create some truly stunning pieces. Here are a couple of dramatic choices to consider.

Acacia

This fast-growing hardwood is not only a sustainable option, but it also boasts a unique combination of strength, durability, and affordability.

Acacia comes in a range of warm, golden brown hues with a rich, distinctive grain pattern.

It’s naturally water-resistant and rot-resistant, making it a great choice for outdoor furniture, cutting boards, and even boat building applications (think teak’s eco-friendly cousin!).

Acacia is also incredibly hard and dense, offering excellent durability and resistance to dents and scratches.

African Blackwood

This prized wood, found in sub-Saharan Africa, is coveted for its exceptional density, deep color, and unique acoustic properties.

While not as readily available as some other hardwoods, African blackwood is a dream material for woodworkers and instrument makers seeking something truly special.

African blackwood lives up to its name with a striking near-black heartwood, often accented by subtle brown streaks.

Incredibly dense and oily, it feels luxurious in the hand and boasts a high natural polish. This density makes it incredibly strong and stable, perfect for items that need to withstand a lot of wear and tear.

However, its extreme density can be challenging for beginners to work with, requiring sharp tools and extra effort.

Bloodwood

Bloodwood isn’t for the faint of heart (or faint of project)!

This exotic hardwood lives up to its name with a vibrant reddish-orange hue that’s sure to make a statement.

While not for everyone, bloodwood’s unique beauty and exceptional durability can add a touch of drama and excitement to your woodworking projects.

It has a finer, more even grain compared to some other hardwoods, but still offers a touch of visual interest. Think heirloom quality knife handles, game pieces, or even unique turned objects.

PRO TIP: Bloodwood’s density can be a double-edged sword. While it makes the wood super strong, it also makes it challenging to work with.

Bocote

Bocote (pronounced boh-KOH-teh) is a stunning hardwood that will turn heads with its dramatic looks and surprising weight.

Bocote boasts a heartwood that ranges from a rich chocolate brown to a lighter caramel, accented by dramatic black and grey streaks that run along the grain.

Beyond its looks, bocote is incredibly dense and hard, making it perfect for applications that need serious durability. Think pool cues, knife handles, or even small decorative items that will be passed down through generations.

Bocote’s beauty comes at a price (literally and figuratively). This exotic wood can be quite expensive due to its relative rarity.

Bubinga

Bubinga, also known as African rosewood, is a prized hardwood that offers a captivating blend of beauty, strength, and durability.

Bubinga boasts a heartwood that ranges from a pinkish-red to a deep reddish-brown, adorned with streaks of dark purple or black.

Its grain can vary from straight to interlocked, adding another layer of visual interest. Beyond its looks, bubinga is incredibly strong, dense, and naturally resistant to rot and insects.

This makes it a perfect choice for furniture pieces, cabinetry, flooring, and even musical instruments that need to withstand the test of time.

Ebony Gaboon

Ebony is one of the densest and hardest woods available, with a jet-black color and high shine. It is a truly exotic wood that will surely turn heads in any project.

Because of its rarity and difficulty to work with, ebony is typically used for small accent pieces, veneers, or inlay work.

Greenheart

Greenheart boasts a heartwood that ranges from a golden olive green to a rich, almost chocolatey brown. This distinctive color deepens with age, giving it a warm and aged look.

Beyond its aesthetics, greenheart is incredibly strong, dense, and naturally resistant to rot, insects, and even marine borers.

This makes it a prime choice for applications where resilience is key, such as marine construction, bridge building, and even outdoor furniture in harsh environments.

Greenheart contains natural toxins (you can learn more about what woods are toxic here) that can be irritating to the skin and respiratory system if not handled properly.

Working with greenheart requires wearing proper personal protective equipment and taking steps to minimize dust exposure.

Ironwood

Ironwood isn’t your typical hardwood, it’s a name that evokes images of strength and durability, and this dense wood often lives up to its reputation.

There are actually several varieties of Ironwood around the world, but we’ll focus on the two most common!

Desert Ironwood

The heartwood of Desert Ironwood is a rich reddish-brown, incredibly hard and dense, and naturally resistant to rot and insects.

Historically, Native American tribes used Desert Ironwood for tools, weapons, and implements that needed to withstand the harsh desert environment.

Desert Ironwood’s extreme density makes it a challenging wood to work with. Cutting, drilling, and sanding require sharp tools and a lot of muscle.

Eastern Ironwood

Unlike its desert cousin, Eastern Ironwood thrives in the understory of shady forests. The wood itself is a light to medium brown with a fine, even grain.

It’s also known as the Hophornbeam.

While not quite as dense as Desert Ironwood, Eastern Ironwood is still quite strong and durable, making it a good choice for tool handles, mallets, and other utilitarian objects.

Eastern Ironwood, while easier to work with than Desert Ironwood, can be susceptible to warping if not properly dried. Additionally, its lighter color and less dramatic grain pattern might not be for everyone.

Jatoba

Jatoba (also known as Brazilian Cherry) boasts a stunning range of reddish-brown hues, with some boards showcasing streaks of gold or orange.

It has a distinctive wavy grain pattern that adds visual interest to any project.

This hardwood is renowned for its exceptional strength and resistance to wear and tear. Think of it as a wood that will stand the test of time and become a cherished part of your home for generations.

Something to know though, Jatoba’s impressive density comes with a double-edged sword. While it makes the wood incredibly strong, it also makes it challenging to work with.

Finally, Jatoba can be susceptible to movement with humidity changes, so proper drying techniques are crucial to prevent warping or cracking.

Koa

Koa wood, with its scientific name Acacia koa, isn’t just a beautiful hardwood – it’s a prized piece of Hawaiian heritage.

Koa boasts a captivating range of colors, from a warm golden or reddish-brown to a surprising pinkish or even tiger-like striped pattern.

The grain can vary from straight to wavy or curly, adding depth and visual interest to any project. Koa is prized for its exceptional workability, it cuts, sands, and finishes beautifully, making it a favorite among woodworkers of all skill levels.

Purpleheart

Purpleheart lives up to its name with a captivating display of color that’s sure to turn heads.

This exotic hardwood, native to Central and South America, boasts a vibrant range of reddish-purples, often with hints of brown or grayish hues.

Beyond its mesmerizing looks, Purpleheart offers exceptional strength, durability, and natural resistance to rot and insects, making it a prized choice for woodworkers seeking a wood that’s both beautiful and functional.

Rosewood

Rosewood isn’t just one wood – it’s a term encompassing a variety of precious hardwoods prized for their exceptional beauty, durability, and rich history. We aren’t going to go into each and every type here.

We’ll talk about those in a future post dedicated too EVERYTHING rosewood has to offer, but here is an overview of what you can expect from rosewoods.

Rosewood, in all its varieties, offers undeniable beauty, exceptional strength, and natural resistance to rot and insects.

These qualities make it a top choice for furniture pieces, musical instruments, decorative objects, and other projects that demand longevity and elegance.

Rosewood’s beauty comes with a price tag. Due to its rarity and high demand, many rosewood varieties can be quite expensive.

Environmental concerns have led to restrictions on harvesting and trade of some types. Finally, rosewood is a dense wood that can be challenging to work with, requiring sharp tools and experienced woodworking techniques.

Sandalwood

Sandalwood isn’t your average hardwood – it’s a precious material steeped in history, culture, and a captivating aroma. Prized for its essential oil used in perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine for centuries.

Sandalwood also offers a unique aesthetic and surprising workability for woodworkers.

Sandalwood boasts a creamy yellow to light golden brown heartwood, often with darker streaks or a slightly oily sheen.

While not as visually striking as some other hardwoods on this list, Sandalwood’s true beauty lies in its captivating fragrance. The heartwood releases a warm, sweet, and slightly musky scent that some find calming.

It’s also known for being relatively easy to work with, making it a good choice for beginners or those looking for a more forgiving material.

Wenge

Wenge, sometimes referred to as African Rosewood (though not technically a true rosewood), is a striking hardwood prized for its deep, rich color and undeniable presence.

Wenge boasts a heartwood that ranges from a deep chocolate brown to a striking almost-black, often accented by subtle lighter streaks.

This dramatic appearance is further accentuated by its fine, straight grain, creating a luxurious and sophisticated aesthetic.

Beyond its visual appeal, Wenge is incredibly dense and hard, making it ideal for projects that need to withstand heavy wear and tear. Think of high-traffic flooring, durable furniture pieces, or even architectural elements that demand both strength and a touch of drama.

For beginners, Wenge might be a bit too demanding, but for experienced woodworkers seeking a project that pushes their skills and yields a stunning result, Wenge can be incredibly rewarding.

Beyond the Basics: Unique Hardwood Picks

The world of hardwood doesn’t stop there! There are some truly unique options out there for the crafty soul who wants to stand out.

Balsa Wood

Balsa wood is incredibly lightweight and easy to work with, making it perfect for those delicate projects like dollhouses or airplane models.

Balsa boasts a pale, creamy white to oatmeal color, sometimes with a subtle pink or yellow hue. Its grain is typically straight and has a medium to coarse texture, giving it a slightly rougher appearance compared to some other woods.

Its exceptional buoyancy makes it ideal for life preservers, rafts, and even model boats.

Due to its softness, it’s not recommended for high-use applications.

Bamboo

Bamboo, technically a fast-growing grass, offers unique properties that make it a compelling alternative to traditional wood.

It boasts exceptional strength and durability, often comparable to hardwoods, while being surprisingly lightweight. Bamboo is known for its stability, resistance to moisture and insects, and fire-resistant qualities.

However, it’s not technically wood, so it lacks growth rings and has a distinct, uniform grain pattern.

This sustainable and versatile material finds application in flooring, furniture, construction, and various other projects, making it a popular choice for those seeking an eco-friendly and strong material with a unique aesthetic.

Canarywood

Canarywood lives up to its name with a captivating display of color that’s sure to brighten any project. This vibrant hardwood boasts a heartwood that ranges from a sunny yellow to a warm orange, often streaked with olive green, brown, or even hints of pink.

Beyond its cheerful facade, canarywood offers surprising strength and durability, making it a versatile choice for woodworkers seeking a wood that’s both visually striking and functionally sound.

This lively appearance is further accentuated by its fine, straight to irregular grain, adding depth and visual interest to any project.

It’s density makes it ideal for projects that need to withstand wear and tear, such as furniture pieces, cabinetry, or even decorative items that will be passed down through generations. Think of adding a burst of sunshine to a dining table, a jewelry box, or a set of sturdy coat hooks.

Ipe

Ipe (pronounced ee-pay) is a champion of durability in the hardwood world.

Ipe boasts a rich, reddish-brown heartwood that weathers to a silvery gray over time.

This dense wood is incredibly tough, it’s durability has it counted among the ironwoods, even though it isn’t one.

Ipe is naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insect infestation, making it ideal for outdoor projects that need to withstand the elements for decades.

If you’re looking for a deck that will last a lifetime with minimal maintenance, Ipe is a top contender. However, this impressive durability comes with a few trade-offs.

Mesquite

This dense wood, often characterized by its dramatic figuring and warm hues, boasts a long history of use by indigenous cultures for tools, weapons, and utilitarian objects.

Mesquite boasts a heartwood that ranges from a warm golden brown to a rich reddish-brown, often accented by dramatic streaks, curls, and chatoyance (an iridescent shimmer).

This unique figuring adds depth and visual interest to any project. Beyond its captivating looks, mesquite is a surprisingly hard and dense wood, making it ideal for projects that need to withstand wear and tear.

Think of a sturdy dining table, a rustic entertainment center, or warm and inviting floors.

Mopane

Mopane is a dense and slow-growing hardwood, native to savannas and woodlands throughout southern Africa, has been a vital resource for indigenous communities for centuries.

Mopane boasts a heartwood that ranges from a warm golden brown to a deep reddish-brown, often accented by darker streaks and mineral deposits.

The natural drying process can impart a characteristic grayish cast, adding to its rustic charm. Beyond its earthy beauty, Mopane is incredibly hard and dense.

This exceptional strength makes it ideal for projects that need to withstand heavy wear and tear, like furniture pieces, tool handles, or even architectural elements in high-traffic areas.

Imagine a dining table that becomes a family heirloom, or a set of tool handles that will last for generations. But remember, with great strength comes…well, a little extra effort.

Olivewood

Olivewood boasts a warm and inviting aesthetic, making it a popular choice for furniture, decorative objects, and heirloom pieces meant to be cherished for generations.

Olivewood boasts a heartwood that ranges from a creamy yellow to a light golden brown, often accented by darker streaks and figuring.

This warm and inviting palette, along with its characteristic tight grain, creates a rustic yet elegant aesthetic. While not the hardest wood on this list, olivewood offers surprising durability and is naturally resistant to rot and insects.

This makes it a good choice for smaller decorative items, turned objects, and furniture pieces that will see moderate use.

Think of a beautifully crafted salad bowl, a set of unique drawer pulls, or a treasured jewelry box.

Pink Ivory

Pink Ivory, also known as Red Ivory, isn’t your typical hardwood – it’s a rare and captivating material coveted for its stunning color and exceptional qualities.

Pink Ivory’s heartwood truly sets it apart. The captivating shades of pink, from the subtlest blush to a more pronounced reddish hue, create a sense of luxury and elegance.

Beyond its mesmerizing color, Pink Ivory is incredibly hard and dense, making it ideal for projects that demand exceptional durability.

Think of heirloom furniture pieces, intricate carvings, or even small decorative objects meant to be passed down through generations. Imagine a beautifully crafted chess set or a set of exquisite knife handles that become treasured family heirlooms.

Sassafras

Sassafras, a native North American tree, offers a unique combination of historical significance, interesting characteristics, and practical uses for woodworkers.

Sassafras boasts a heartwood that ranges from a light yellowish-brown to a reddish-brown, often with attractive figuring and subtle flecks.

The grain can be straight or slightly wavy, adding visual interest to finished pieces. Beyond its aesthetics, Sassafras offers surprising strength and durability, especially when properly dried and cured.

This makes it a good choice for furniture pieces, cabinetry, or even decorative items that will see everyday use. Think of a charming spice rack for your kitchen, a set of sturdy coat hooks, or even a rustic picture frame.

Sycamore

The American sycamore (not to be confused with the unrelated fig sycamore) is a common sight throughout the eastern United States, towering over landscapes and offering dappled shade.

Sycamore heartwood ranges from a pale yellow to a light brown, often accented by attractive figuring with swirling grain patterns or a lace-like effect.

This light and airy aesthetic makes sycamore a popular choice for furniture pieces that won’t visually overpower a space.

Think of a light and airy coffee table, a set of clean-lined cabinets, or even decorative bowls with a touch of whimsical grain. Beyond its looks, sycamore offers surprising strength and stability for a lighter-colored wood. It’s also known for being relatively easy to work with for both hand and machine tools.

Teak

Teak isn’t just a famous rhyme – it’s a prized hardwood renowned for its exceptional durability and timeless appeal.

Teak boasts a beautiful heartwood that ranges from a golden brown to a deep amber hue, often darkening to a silvery-gray patina over time.

Beyond its captivating looks, teak is incredibly dense and oily, naturally repelling water, rot, insects, and even fire.

This exceptional resistance to the elements makes teak a champion for outdoor applications. Imagine a luxurious teak dining set that graces your patio for decades, or a sturdy deck that becomes the heart of your outdoor gatherings.

Teak truly embodies the promise of long-lasting beauty and functionality.

Zebrawood

Zebrawood, also known as Zebrano, is a captivating hardwood prized for its dramatic striped appearance and exceptional durability.

Zebrawood boasts a heartwood that lives up to its name. Stripes of rich golden brown alternate with deep chocolate brown or even black streaks, creating a visually arresting display.

This dramatic pattern is further accentuated by its fine, straight grain, creating a luxurious and sophisticated aesthetic.

Beyond its captivating looks, Zebrawood is incredibly dense and hard, making it ideal for projects that need to withstand heavy wear and tear. Think of high-traffic flooring, durable furniture pieces, or even architectural elements that demand both strength and a touch of drama.

Like a lot of other hardwoods on this list, Zebrawood’s undeniable beauty comes with a bit of a challenge. Its exceptional density makes it a demanding material to work with. Cutting, drilling, and sanding Zebrawood require sharp tools, experienced technique, and a good amount of muscle.

There you have it, my friends!

This is just a taste of the many wonderful hardwoods available for your woodworking projects.

Remember, the most important thing is to choose a wood that you love and that fits your project needs.

So grab your tools, have fun experimenting, and get ready to create something amazing! Happy building!