Mechanical properties, workability, durability, and use cases. The definitive reference for every species I stock and work with.
A weather-rated panel for outdoor structures when detailed correctly. More stable than solid timber, but edges and faces still need protection.
Very flat and paint-friendly indoors. Not for wet exposure; protect edges and wear a mask when machining.
A stable, strong sheet material for cabinetry and clean utility work. Great indoors; treat edges and avoid wet exposure.
Pinus radiata
A widely used plantation pine: friendly to machine and good value. Soft, knotty, and dent-prone, but excellent for painted work, jigs, and…
Pseudotsuga menziesii
A strong, common softwood with pronounced earlywood/latewood bands. Great structurally and useful in furniture with good stock selection and sharp tools.
Acer saccharum
A hard, dense, clean-looking hardwood that wears well. Excellent for high-wear parts, but it can burn, blotch, and move if you rush…
Juglans nigra
A furniture favourite: stable, pleasant to work, and rich in colour. Mostly an interior timber; plan around colour variation between heartwood and…
Quercus robur
A classic furniture and joinery hardwood with prominent grain and good strength. Reliable, but still moves enough to punish rigid detailing in…