Furniture makers choose hardwoods for crafting furniture for at least two reasons: strength and beauty. Hardwoods are sturdy, high-quality woods. American hardwood furniture can last for decades or longer and become cherished heirlooms. American hardwoods are well-known for their beauty. Each type of wood within the hardwood category has its unique grain pattern and color. These qualities also make each piece of furniture unique. Let’s take a closer look at a few hardwood types that both homeowners and furniture craftsmen commonly prefer.
Brown Maple: An Affordable Luxury
Also known as soft maple, brown maple is not a variety of maple trees but rather a reference to its location within a maple tree. Brown maple is milled from a maple tree’s heartwood, or center. This wood is considered a softer hardwood and may dent or scratch more easily than walnut or oak, but it is not weak. It is comparable to cherry wood in appearance and comes at a lower price.
Brown maple’s small pores give it a smooth texture, making it ideal for painting or achieving a distressed finish. Experts recommend medium and dark-colored stains because brown maple can have grey-green mineral streaks that are more visible with light stains. Brown maple is known for its grain variation and will absorb stain unpredictably. Some areas may be darker than others, and ornamental knots and spirals are common.
Brown maple suits many decorating styles, including Traditional, Minimalistic, and Rustic.
Cherry: An American Classic
No other hardwood is more American than cherry. The American Black Cherry primarily grows in North America and is renowned for its distinctive red hues. Freshly stained, it can appear creamy pink but continues to darken over time due to exposure to oxygen and light. This darkening is particularly noticeable within the first six to twelve months after it is stained.
The cherry grain is smooth, reminiscent of brown maple, and provides less of a contrast than other woods. Cherry wood is a softer hardwood that is susceptible to scratches and dents, and may not be ideal for a piece of furniture that will be heavily used.
It creates both elegant and minimalistic décor styles. Cherry’s price point is higher than most other hardwoods, but its elegance and unique color keep it popular.
Quarter Sawn White Oak (QSWO): Unique and Durable
White oak is one of the hardest types of hardwood. When it is quarter-sawn, its strength and durability increase. Quarter sawn refers to how the logs are milled. First, a round log is cut into quarters. Each quarter is then rotated and cut into planks. Slicing into the log this way also affects the grain pattern. Traditionally milled oak, also known as “plain sawn,” creates a familiar “cathedral” grain where the grain runs in widening peaks and loops from the center outward. The quarter-sawn method disrupts the traditional pattern, creating an unpredictable pattern of swirls, streaks, and ripples.
A wide range of tones exists within the white oak species, but its tone is usually lighter and warmer. QSWO is most often used for Mission, Shaker, or Arts and Crafts-style furniture. Due to its strength and durability, it is ideal for furniture pieces that will be well-used. QSWO is more expensive than plain sawn white oak. The quarter-sawn method is not the most efficient use of a log, and it takes more technique and time to produce the lumber. The combination of these reasons raises the price tag.
Hickory: A Cost-Effective Option
Hickory furniture pieces offer both unique beauty and optimal strength. It is a highly durable hardwood commonly used for items that experience high impact, such as baseball bats and tool handles. It’s also flexible and preferred for bow handles and hockey sticks.
Lumber milled from its heartwood (the center of the log) is darker in color. The lumber milled from hickory’s sapwood (the outer part of a log nearer the bark) is much lighter, similar to pine, and sometimes red-toned. Carpenters sometimes alternate light and dark woods to create a striped look known as “calico.” Where the timber is milled can also affect the grains. The streaks within the grain can be subtle and blend in with the surrounding wood, or they can be much darker, creating bold patterns.
Hickory is ideal for a rustic style, but it can also make a refined and stately look, such as in Traditional or Mid-Century Modern furniture. The price point of hickory is on the lower end, making it an excellent option for quality, durable furniture on a budget.
Which American Hardwood Do You Prefer for your Furniture?
Any hardwood you choose is ideal for sturdy and beautiful furniture. Working with your local furniture craftsman is the best way to accurately select the wood that is right for the specific piece of American hardwood furniture you’re purchasing. Whether your style is modern or traditional, light or dark, there is a hardwood to meet your personal needs.
