8 Types of Wood for Every Project

From dining tables to musical instruments, wood is everywhere. But not all wood is created equal. The types of wood you choose can affect a product’s strength, appearance, durability and cost.

Whether you're building furniture, framing a house or choosing outdoor materials, understanding wood types is essential.

1. Oak

Oak is a classic choice for both furniture and flooring. Red oak features an open grain pattern and a reddish brown hue, while white oak has fairly high shrinkage and is naturally resistant to moisture.

Both types are hardwoods, making them ideal materials for projects that demand structural integrity.

2. Cherry Wood

Loved for its warm, reddish brown color and smooth finish, cherry wood develops a rich patina over time.

It has a tight grain and smooth surface, which makes it a popular choice for high end furniture and cabinets. Pre-conditioning helps it accept stains for a refined, finished piece.

3. Maple

Maple wood background. ultramarinfoto / Getty Images

Hard maple and soft maple both come from deciduous trees, but hard maple is denser and has exceptional strength. Soft maple, with its finer grain and light brown to golden brown tones, is easier to work with and still strong enough for most hardwood applications.

Maple is often used for flooring, cutting boards, and even bowling alleys.

4. Mahogany

Mahogany is one of the more expensive woods, known for its deep color, close grain and smooth surface. It’s used in high end furniture, musical instruments and decorative veneers. Its uniform appearance and aesthetic appeal make it a favorite among woodworkers.

5. Teak

Teak (Tectona grandis) is the go-to for outdoor furniture thanks to its natural resistance to rot and insects. Its high oil content, remarkable strength and resistance to rot also gave it a reputation in the English Royal Navy.

Though pricey, its durability and fire resistance make it worth the investment for outdoor use by many homeowners.

6. Cedar

Cedar tree. Jackyenjoyphotography / Getty Images

White cedar is a versatile softwood prized for its lightweight nature and natural resistance to decay. It’s a suitable material for outdoor applications like siding, window frames and garden structures. Eastern red cedar has a distinctive grain and a pleasant scent, making it a favorite for chests and closets.

7. Mindi Wood

Not as well-known as other hardwoods, Mindi wood features a straight grain and yellowish brown tone. It’s lightweight, easy to shape with sharp tools and often used in furniture construction for its stability and aesthetic appeal.

8. Engineered Wood

Engineered wood products like medium density fibreboard (MDF) and particle board are made by bonding wood fibers or particles together with resin. These materials are cost-effective and offer a smooth surface for veneers and laminates.

While they lack the strength of solid wood, they’re widely used in the construction industry and furniture manufacturing.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.