Types of Wood - Hardwood University

Species	Descriptions	Janka hardness index	Affordability $-$$$	Natural color	Made from a renewable source	Tips and tricks	Other interesting uses
Ash	Light color; light weight & sturdy; high shock resistance	1320	$$	Blond cream to darker tans and browns	Yes		Kitchen cabinets, tool handles, baseball bats, hockey sticks, billiard cues, skis, and oars
Bamboo	Exotic; made of grasses instead of wood; color versatility; hard material	1120	$$	Light tan/natural light light to medium honey brown	Yes		Grasses and food source
Beech	White wood with red tinge; adaptability in a home; long straight grains; resists daily wear and tear	1300	$	White wood with red tinge to light/reddish brown	Yes		Brush handles, woodenware, bending stock, and toys
Birch	A very common choice for floors; wavy or curly grain; a very strong durable wood	1260	$	White to light reddish brown	Yes	Birch stains and finishes easily, due to its closed pored structure	Kitchen cabinets, and toys
Cherry	A very old wood; creamy white in color; considered too soft for floor; best used as borders or accents for a room	950	$$	Creamy white to rich red or reddish brown	Yes		Fine furniture and cabinet making, boat interiors, and musical instruments
Douglas Fir	Similar in appearance to southern yellow pine; a softer wood, so may dent if placed in high traffic room. May fade in direct sunlight	660	$$	Light to yellow tan	Yes		Most traditionally used for flooring
Hard Maple	Extreme durability; creamy white to light floor; long lasting; polishes well	1450	$$	Creamy white to light/dark reddish brown	Yes	Maintain relative humidity between 35% and 65% once installed in order to minimize movement. In very dry climates Maple is prone to shrinking	Ballroom and gymnasium floors, table tops, butchers blocks, and toys
Hickory-Pecan	Heaviest, hardest and strongest American wood; a mix of light and dark colors in the natural wood; rings versatility to your home with a mix of color	1820	$$	White with fine brown lines to pale or reddish brown	Yes	When moving furniture, completely lift furniture off of Hickory wood to avoid scratching	Wooden ladders and sporting goods
Pine (Southern Yellow)	A softer, fairly durable wood; still very popular choice for floors; light to yellowish-white in color	690	$	Pale straw color to deep orange-red	Yes		Traditional for fruit crates and certain furniture's
Oak (Red)	White to light brown in color; long straight grain for lengthening; easy to clean due to being less porous than white	1290	$$$	White/light brown to a pinkish reddish brown	Yes		Doors, kitchen cabinets, and caskets
Oak (White)	More durable than red oak; light brown in natural color; more porous than red oak	1360	$$	Light to dark brown	Yes		Barrel staves and caskets
Sycamore	White to light yellow; preferred as a contrast to other woods; moderate hardness, but great accent to an elm or cherry floor	770		White/light yellow to light/dark brown	Yes	Be careful when wearing high heels on this wood--they can dent the wood easily	Kitchenware, butchers blocks, toys and fruit crates
Walnut	North American walnut is America's most prized hardwood and is used extensively in fine furniture	1010	$$$	Creamy white/light brown to dark chocolate brown (Occasionally with a purplish cast and darker streaks)	Yes	Don't allow direct sunlight to be exposed to the floor. Toss down an area rug to avoid sun damage	Furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork. A favored wood for using in contrast with lighter-colored species