Types of Wood for Woodworking

Hardwoods

• Oak: hard, durable, prominent grain — furniture and flooring
• Walnut: rich dark, premium — high-end furniture
• Maple: light, hard, smooth — worktops and furniture
• Beech: pale, fine grain — chairs, turning

Softwoods

• Pine: affordable, easy — frames, joinery, painted furniture
• Fir / Spruce: construction and exterior framing

Engineered panels

• Plywood: cross-laminated, strong, stable
• MDF: flat, stable, paints well
• Melamine: pre-finished, easy to clean — cabinets
• OSB: structural, economical

Practical tips

• Match species to the job and the budget.
• Softwoods are fine for frames; hardwoods for wear surfaces.
• Density is a good proxy for strength and weight — see the material list in the wood cutting calculator.