What is Hardwood Lumber?
Hardwood is the material that comes from dense, hard, broad-leafed trees that flower(angiosperms). These trees lose their leaves in the winter and are slow-growing, especially compared to evergreen trees. Hardwood fibers are compact and heavy, and their common uses are for building fine furniture, cabinets, and flooring.
Hardwoods are found in temperate and tropical forests around the world, with some of the most sought-after coming from Appalachia. Hardwoods have a much more complex structure than softwoods and can take up to 150 years before they are ready to be harvested.
One of the key distinctions of hardwoods is that they have visible pores used for transporting water and nutrients. These structures can easily be seen under a microscope. Softwoods, on the other hand, have a much simpler cellular structure where water is moved around by longitudinal tracheids and medullary rays, which are not visible.
Because of the more complex, condensed structure, hardwoods typically perform better when exposed to the elements and can hold up to fire better.
Will Any Old Hardwood Do?
While most hardwoods are fairly similar in structure due to their cellular structure and hardiness, not all hardwoods are created equal. There are hundreds of native hardwood species in the United States, with around 20 major species being commercially viable. Many of these species have unique characteristics that make them suitable for specific applications.
So yes, any hardwood can do just about any job. However, the real question is which species is best for yours!
Types of Hardwoods Found Available in The US
1. White Oak Lumber for My Project
White oak is hard, heavy, strong, and durable, with a medium-to-coarse texture and prominent grain. It ranges from light tan to medium or darker brown. Rift- and quarter-sawn material is especially valued for its straight grain and stability.
Best used for:
- Kitchen and custom cabinetry
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Architectural millwork
- Interior trim and paneling
- Veneer
- Barrels and cooperage
White oak is an excellent choice when a project requires durability, stability, and a distinctive natural grain.
2. Red Oak Lumber for My Project
Red oak is hard, heavy, and strong with a coarse, open grain. Its heartwood typically ranges from pinkish to reddish brown, giving it a warmer appearance than white oak.
Best used for:
- Cabinets
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Doors
- Interior trim
- Paneling
- Architectural millwork
Red oak is a dependable choice for projects where a pronounced grain pattern and traditional hardwood appearance are desired.
3. Hard Maple Lumber for My Project
Hard maple, also known as sugar maple, is dense, hard, and heavy. It has a fine, generally subtle grain and light-colored sapwood.
Best used for:
- Cabinetry
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Interior trim
- Butcher block and work surfaces
- Specialty wood products
Hard maple is particularly well suited for durable, high-wear applications and cabinetry with a smooth, clean appearance.
4. Soft Maple Lumber for My Project
Soft maple is lighter and less dense than hard maple but still offers good strength and workability. It typically has a relatively smooth texture and straight grain, although figured material can occur.
Best used for:
- Painted cabinetry
- Furniture
- Cabinet components
- Interior millwork
- Turnings
- Decorative wood products
Soft maple is a versatile option for manufacturers looking for a workable hardwood that performs well in cabinetry and furniture production.
5. Hickory Lumber for My Project
Hickory is one of the hardest, heaviest, and strongest domestic hardwoods. It is known for its toughness and dramatic contrast between light sapwood and darker heartwood.
Best used for:
- Cabinets
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Tool handles
- Sporting goods
- Heavy-use wood products
Its strength and natural color variation make hickory especially popular for rustic, traditional, and character-rich cabinetry and furniture.
6. Black Cherry Lumber for My Project
Cherry has a fine, smooth texture and relatively straight grain. Its heartwood ranges from reddish brown to deeper red tones and naturally darkens with age and exposure to light.
Best used for:
- Fine furniture
- High-end cabinets
- Architectural millwork
- Interior trim
- Paneling
- Veneer
Cherry machines and finishes well, making it a popular species for detailed woodworking and furniture-style cabinetry.
7. Black Walnut Lumber for My Project
Walnut is valued for its rich brown heartwood, fine texture, and generally straight grain, although figured and wavy grain can occur. It is easier to machine than many of the harder domestic hardwoods and finishes well.
Best used for:
- High-end cabinetry
- Fine furniture
- Veneer
- Architectural woodwork
- Interior paneling
- Specialty flooring
Walnut is often selected for projects where appearance is as important as structural performance.
8. Yellow Poplar Lumber for My Project
Also called tulip poplar or tulipwood, yellow poplar is lightweight, relatively stable, and easy to machine. Its color can range from creamy white to yellow, green, brown, and purple.
Best used for:
- Painted cabinets
- Furniture components
- Interior trim
- Moulding
- Doors and frames
- Paneling
- Veneer cores
Because it machines easily and performs well under paint, poplar is a practical choice for painted cabinetry and secondary furniture components.
9. White Ash Lumber for My Project
Ash is strong, tough, and relatively hard, with a straight, open grain. Its color ranges from off-white sapwood to light brown heartwood.
Best used for:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Flooring
- Moulding
- Turnings
- Tool handles
- Sporting goods
Ash offers a combination of strength and workability that makes it useful for both decorative and high-performance applications.
10. Yellow Birch Lumber for My Project
Yellow birch is hard, strong, and heavy with a fine, relatively uniform grain. Its color ranges from light tan or off-white sapwood to golden brown heartwood.
Best used for:
- Cabinets
- Furniture
- Interior trim
- Architectural millwork
- Paneling
- Veneer
- Specialty woodworking
Birch provides a smooth, refined appearance and is a strong choice for furniture and cabinetry.
11. Beech Lumber for My Project
Beech is strong, hard, and heavy with a fine, relatively uniform texture. Its interlocked grain can require additional care during drying and processing.
Best used for:
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Paneling
- Toys and turned products
- Specialty woodworking
Beech is a durable hardwood with a clean appearance that works well for a variety of furniture and interior applications.
Choosing The Right Hardwoods with Select Hardwoods
Whether you are making high-end furniture and custom cabinetry, or manufacturing hardwood flooring, there is a hardwood product to fulfill your project's needs. The diversity of hardwoods gives manufacturers, cabinet shops, architectural woodworkers, and furniture builders a broad range of materials to match the performance, appearance, and finishing requirements for each particular project.
At Select Hardwoods, we offer the finest Appalachian hardwoods available on the market. We source, mill, kiln-dry, and package top-quality hardwoods for nearly any application. Our business has spanned four generations, right here in the heart of Appalachia, while also having access to global markets.
To learn more about how we can support your needs, contact us today!