What is Wood? Classification and Different types of Wood
Wood is a hard-fibrous material forming the trunk and branches of trees or shrubs. The trees are first felled, and the timber logs are then cut in the saw mills to smaller sizes and these wooden blocks are then used for making furniture. Few of the characteristics of wood Classification of wood Wood can be broadly classified as Softwood and Hardwood. Density is a major determinant of the strength of wood. Hardwoods, being denser than the softwoods, are stronger and more durable. Types of Wood Softwood Hardwood Pine woodCedar woodSpruce wood Deodar wood Teak woodRose woodOak woodMaple woodAsh woodMango woodNeem woodMahogany woodBeech woodWalnut woodMarandi wood 1) Pinewood – Pinewood is a soft, white or light-yellow wood which is light in weight and straight-grained. It resists shrinkage, swelling, and warping. Pine is very easy to shape and stain. It is suitable for using in house construction, making furniture, boxes and wall decorations. Density of pine is 352-849 kg/m3. 2) Cedar wood – Cedarwood is knotty softwood that has a red-brown color with light lines. Cedar is soft as compared to other softwoods. The wood texture is uniform and highly resistant to decay and insects. This wood is most suitable for cabinet construction, chests of drawers, roof coverings, cabinets, decks and poles. Density of cedarwood is 368-577 kg/m3. 3) Spruce – Spruce wood is strong and hard. It finishes well and has a low resistance to decay. It has moderate shrinkage and is light in weight. It is suitable for ships poles, stools, millwork, ladders, boxes, crates and also containers. It is also used in panelling of exterior walls, gate, gazebo etc. Density of cedarwood is 400-705 kg/m3. 4) Deodar – It is yellowish brown in colour. It is used for making cheap furniture, railway carriages, railway sleepers, packing boxes, structural work and so forth. Density of Devdhar is 560 kg/m3. It is also used during the construction. 5) Teak wood – It is one of the most popular types of hardwood. It is yellow to dark brown in colour and is extremely heavy, strong, durable, weather-resistant, warp-resistant, and does not decay. Often strongly figured, teak may show straight grain pattern. The natural oils in teak make them termite and pest-resistant. Different types of teak wood are Ghana Teak, Ivory Teak, Sudan Teak, Tanzania Teak, Burma Teak. Density of Teakwood is 740-1000 kg/m3. It is commonly used as a structural wood for wooden framed houses, doors, windows, and partitions. It is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture like garden benches and lounge chairs. Most homeowners prefer teak for their indoor furniture like beds and wardrobes. Thumb rule for identifying different types of Teak wood Sp Ghana Teak Whitish-yellow in colour40% white 60% Yellow (Approx)Lot of knots visible on the surface Ivory Teak Yellowish in colour15-20% white 80-85% Yellow (Approx)Less knots compared to Ghana Teak Sudan Teak Yellowish-Brown in colour5-7% white 93-95% Yellowish-brown Less knots compared to Ghana Teak and Ivory Teak Tanzania Teak Brownish in colour with occasional black veins 100% brown in colour Black coloured knots sometimes get visible Burma Teak Light brown in colour3-5% white 95-97% light brown Straight-line figure with occasional knots 6) Rose-wood – It is very hard and has a dark reddish-brown colour. It has a unique fragrance. It is hard to work on and needs a lot of polishing. East Indian rosewood is also called as Sheesham in hindi. Rosewood is used in musical instruments, piano cases, tool handles, art projects, decorative veneers, and furniture. Density of rose-wood is 800-880 kg/m3. 7) Oak-wood – It is a heavy, strong, light-coloured hardwood. It is very easy to work on. It has good resistance to moisture, fungus, and yeast. It is an excellent choice for household and office furniture like bookshelves and cabinets. It is also widely preferred for outdoor furniture. Interior decor experts are also employing oak for flooring, timber-framed structures, and veneer production. Density of rose-wood is 600-897 kg/m3. 8) Maplewood – It has curly grains. Maple wood has a fine texture with great strength. It is extensively used in making household furniture like console tables, wall shelves, and bedside tables. Density of maple wood is 625-753 kg/m3. 9) Ash-wood – It is a hard and heavy wood. Ash is well-known for its elasticity and strength. It has a prominent grain that looks like oakwood and is white to light brown in colour. Ash is widely used for structural frames and steam bent furniture pieces. It is used in making guitars, drum shells, frames, sports equipment, ladders, and baseball bats. Decorative veneers are produced from ash due to its interesting grain. 10) Mangowood – It is dense and strong hardwood which comes with a distinctly attractive grain pattern. Its grain is unique as it embodies several tones and colours, ranging from light shades like dark brown with hints of green. It is lighter than other wood types and highly water-resistant. It is best used for living room and bedroom furniture, nesting tables, kitchen cabinets, entertainment units and bookshelves. 11) Neem wood – It is reddish-brown in colour and very much similar to Mahogany. It is strong and durable. Its grains are interlocked, and consequently the wood does not split apart very easily. It is used in making toys, home accessories, bed side tables, bar units, metal furniture etc. 12) Mahogany wood – The wood is reddish-brown in colour with red colour more prominent. It is strong, with a uniform pore structure. It is an excellent carving wood and finishes well. It is most commonly used in fashion cabinets, nested tables, dining table sets, and other types of indoor furniture. Mahogany is also used in boat building, window frames and veneers. Density of mahogany wood is 497-850 kg/m3. 13) Beech wood -It is a hard, strong, and heavy wood with tiny pores. It is light pink in colour. Beech is used for laser carving and variety of wooden accessories which can be used at home and office. It is also called as Steam beech. 14) Walnut – It is