Despite the prevalence of more modern materials, the versatility and beauty of timber has ensured its appearance in most homes today. This guide will help you tell one species from the next and tell you which type should be used for your DIY project.
Botanists divide timber into two main categories; softwoods and hardwoods. These terms can cause confusion, but simply softwoods come from coniferous (needle leaved) trees and hardwoods come from deciduous trees and evergreen broadleaved trees. The terms softwood and hardwood are botanical and don't necessarily indicate their end use.
Much of the softwood used in the UK comes from European, sustainably managed forests and is a very popular choice amongst consumers today. It can be bought competitively and will compare well in terms of cost comparisons with many other building materials.
This article comes courtesy of www.woodforgood.com
Natural Pine (Redwood)
One of the most popular softwoods available and used to create solid timber flooring, furniture and doors.
Ash
Used in light coloured furniture and panelling and creates a luxury, hardwearing, solid, timber floor. It is temperate, tough and resilient.
Beech
Can range in colour from pale brown to light reddish brown. It is wear resistant and is used in furniture production and framing.
Birch
A beautiful and durable material ideal for elegant interior decoration and furniture.
Cherry
This wood has a highly decorative colour and is used for more specialised crafted furniture and decorative work.
Birch Plywood
Can be used for almost anything and it's versatility makes it good for furniture.
Chestnut
A hardwearing timber with lots of character.
English Oak
Light yellow brown with its annual rings clearly visible. Used in joinery, floors, stairs, furniture and panelling.
Walnut
Used to make furniture and also used for panelling. It is golden brown with dark streaks.
Natural Spruce (Whitewood)
A lighter colour than pine. Commonly used to make staircases and in general construction.
