“Crafting Durability: Exploring the Top 10 Woods Ideal for Crafting Sturdy Furniture”
Check out the 10 most popular woods for making the most durable furniture
When it comes to furniture, wood is everyone’s first choice. Not just for furniture making; It is used for floors, ceilings, house construction, decorative pieces and much more. Due to their durability, regal appearance, rot resistance and cost-effectiveness, wooden items have stood the test of time.
But there are thousands of types of wood. So if you want to tackle any restoration or design work related to wood, you should know which type of wood is best for furniture.
The 10 best woods for furniture construction
1. Cedar wood material for furniture
Type: Softwood
Use: garden furniture, wardrobe, chest of drawers
Janka score: Eastern variety 900, Western variety 350
Cedar is one of the most popular types of softwood. Due to its unique antifungal and antibacterial properties, cedar furniture is highly resistant to water, insects and the sun. Cedar is the best wood material for rustic style furniture and wall panels.
2. Teak: Best type of wood for indoor furniture that lasts for generations
Color: Light to dark brown with honey gold accents
Type: Hardwood
Uses: interior furniture, floor coverings, boat building
Janka score: 1155
Teak is widely known for its durability and resistance to fire, water, rot and fungi. It has a very smooth surface with an oily texture and a straight grain. It is one of the strongest and most expensive woods for making furniture. So if you want to make furniture that will last for generations, teak is your best choice.
3. Durable and weather-resistant: Mahogany is the best wood for furniture
Color: Medium to dark reddish brown
Type: Hardwood
Use: cabinets, furniture, outdoor wood
Janka score: 800-900
Mahogany is a water-resistant wood. It can stay underwater for a long time without being damaged. Once polished, mahogany gives a beautiful glossy finish, making it the perfect choice for interior furniture. Due to the shortage of wood, mahogany furniture is always in high demand and expensive worldwide.
4. Add pops of color with cherry wood
Color: Light pink to reddish brown
Type: Hardwood
Use: cabinets, furniture, outdoor wood
Janka score: 950
One of the most common types of wood used for furniture is cherry. If cherry wood furniture is not stained, it will turn from light pink to deep reddish brown over the years. It is not ideal for high traffic areas such as entryways. But cherry wood can be used for making cabinets, cupboard doors and other furniture.
5. Strongest wood for furniture: Sheesham/Indian Rosewood
Color: Deep to golden red brown
Type: Hardwood
Use: beds, dining tables, coffee tables and other indoor furniture, floors
Janka score: 1600-1700
One of the most commonly used woods in India is Sheesham or Indian rosewood. Sheesham furniture is very durable and weather-resistant. It is affordable and the best type of wood for indoor furniture.
6. For an attractive floor finish, choose walnut
Color: Creamy yellow sapwood with dark chocolate heartwood
Type: Hardwood
Use: furniture, cabinets, interior decorative parts, floors
Janka score: 1010
Walnut is a local precious wood. The grain is straight and regular, which makes processing easier. Black walnut wood is very durable and resistant to rot, but is susceptible to insect infestation.
7. Thoroughly Indian: Sal Wood
Color: Golden yellow when fresh, but deepens when exposed to sunlight
Type: Hardwood
Use: window sills, interior door frames, furniture, railway sleepers
Janka score: 2080
Sal is India’s most important source of hardwood. Salwood is often used in the construction industry and furniture making due to its strength. It is affordable, highly durable, and resistant to water, termites, and fungi. However, when exposed to direct sunlight, it shrinks and cracks. It is better to use salwood for indoor and outdoor door frames.
8. Beyond Furniture: Deodar Wood
Color white
Type: Hardwood
Use: Construction of temples, boathouses, public buildings, bridges, barracks, railway carriages
Did you know that the ancient Egyptians used deodar wood, often known as the tree of the gods, to build the sarcophagi of mummies? The wood of this medicinal tree is often used in construction and carpentry. Its heartwood is durable and resistant to rot and pests.
9. Strongest yet delicate: Indian Ebony
Color: Black
Type: Hardwood
Use: musical instrument, piano key, cabinet, inlay, door handles
Janka score: 2430
Indian ebony is a very dense and heavy hardwood. Due to its high density, it sinks quickly in water. Due to the high oil content in this wood, it is difficult to glue. However, this wood is rarely available on the market today and is therefore quite expensive.
10. Take advantage of the flexibility of bamboo
Color: White to light brown
Type: Evergreen perennial
Use: floor coverings, roofs
Janka score: 1380
Bamboo is characterized by its durability, buoyancy and pesticide resistance. It is commonly used in the construction of bridges, roofs, scaffolding and floors. Its flexibility allows it to be bent, split or shaped as needed. Therefore, it is often used in earthquake-prone areas. In addition, bamboo is flame resistant and has a higher tensile strength than steel because its fibers are axial.