Furniture nowadays is made of different kind of materials from aluminum to iron and even plastic. But for the people with a higher taste, the wood is always the most preferable option. Wooden furniture is generally more long lasting and timeless. Ready made furniture doesn't offer much choice over the type of wood that is used but custom furniture gives you the authority to choose the material according to your liking. But the kind of wood that should be chosen depends on many factors, for instance the usage and the space. A chair maker will use a different kind of wood for the chair while a cabinet maker will prefer another one. In custom cabinetry, the preference changes highly with respect to the space that the furniture is going to occupy. This is because different woods have different qualities such as hardness, softness, texture and flexibility. We will discuss a few commonly used ones.
Mahogany
Mahogany is probably most commonly used wood for furniture. The reasons are both its strength and its color. Mahogany can range from dark brown to reddish brown in color. It is used in fine furniture making, boat making, plywood and outdoor furniture making. This wood can last for years and has the ability to resist swelling and shrinkage. During the 18th century, mahogany became very popular furniture wood in Europe.
Maple
Maple is another high quality hardwood; it is usually very light brown in color. Its color makes it perfect for small spaces where more light reflection is needed. Maple is very popular for its smooth fine texture. It is used in the making of fine furniture, kitchen cabinets and bowling alley floors.
Oak
Oak is a very heavy hardwood and one of the most commonly used. There are further two type of oak, white oak and the red oak. Oak is famous mostly for its texture of large rings and circles. America and Canada are gifted with many Oak trees. The oak tree can get stained easily so it is easy to get it colored in nay other shade. Oak wood is used in making boat frames, furniture and floorings.
Beech
Beech is another strong hardwood used for making chair and tables. It is of pale color mostly and therefore it can be easily stained. In America and Canada, Beech is found in a good quantity.
Pinewood
Pine is softwood that is generally found in many parts of the world. There are many different kinds of pine like Ponderosa Pine and sugar Pine. They are both used in making furniture. Pine is mostly yellow in color. It is widely used in making plywood and veneer. Pine is known for its beautiful knots.
Cedar
Cedar is also softwood used for making furniture. One very distinct quality of cedar is its sweet odor. This odor makes it a very preferable for making chests and drawers as it repels moths and insects and also perfumes the things kept inside.
Other than these types there are several more types of wood, each with distinct features and usage. Plywood, veneer and MDF (Multiple density fiber are rather man made woods using sheets or laminates of other natural woods. In some cases the use of these wood is preferable than using the natural wood.
