Wood Selection

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Species 

Color - 

Grain Structure -  Open Cell/closed Cell

Strength -

Workability -

Oil Content - The oil content will effect the weathering characteristics of a wood.   Oily woods tend to better in outdoor applications than non-oily woods.  Teak, is an oily wood that is famously used for boat decking.   il content may also effect 

Figure 

Figure in hardwood is a term that describes a shimmer or opalescence in the appearance of a wood due to the complicated and undulating nature of its grain. Figured woods add an exotic element to domestic hardwood pieces.  Figure is a common feature in a variety of woods, including cherry and maple, but is perhaps most famous in maple.  There are several variants of figured hard maple including, curly, bubble, flame and birdseye.   Due to their beauty and rarity, figured woods fetch a premium over their non-figured counter parts.   Expect a 2x price mulitplier on curly maple over plain maple, and up to a 3x premium for birdseye. 

Staining figured woods carries some risk in destroying the natural shimmer of the wood.   Stains (colorants with suspended solids) tend to fill grain pores and flatten or blunt the shine of a nicely figured piece.  Dyes (liquid only colorants) are often the preferred way to add color to figured wood.   

Figured woods do suffer from one major drawback in that they are often hard to work, given the complicated grain structure.  Checking, and grain tear out are not uncommon occurrences when jointing or planing figured wood.   Make sure to use well sharped tools, as well worn/blunt blades will exacerbate tear out issues. 

Grade 

Grade:   FAS, S&B, Common 1#