Wood Species Guide

Understanding the Janka Hardness Rating

The Janka scale measures a wood's resistance to denting and wear — the higher the number, the more durable the wood. High (1200–2000+) woods are extremely durable and ideal for high-traffic pieces; Medium (800–1200) woods offer a balanced blend of workability and strength; Low (under 800) woods are softer, prized more for character and warmth than resistance to wear.

Oak (Red Oak)

The most commonly used wood in American furniture. Light brown/red with prominent cathedral grain pattern. Affordable, strong, and beautiful — an all-around popular choice.

Cherry

A highly prized hardwood with a deep red color that darkens beautifully over time. Smooth uniform grain with medium hardness. Extra care needed as it can scratch more easily than harder woods.

Sap Cherry

The lighter sapwood of the cherry tree — pale yellow to pink mixed with deep reddish brown heartwood. Best when stained to a darker color. An affordable alternative to cherry with the same durability.

Rustic Cherry

All the warmth of cherry with added character — knots, grain variation, mineral streaks, and burls. The deep red hue darkens over time. Popular for farmhouse and country decor. Less expensive than standard cherry.

Quarter Sawn White Oak (QSWO)

Cut to reveal stunning medullary ray flecks — a hallmark of Mission-style furniture. Superior strength and resistance to cupping and warping. The best choice for humid environments.

Rustic QSWO

The rustic version of QSWO with more knots, streaks, and color variation alongside the signature ray flecks. Shares QSWO's superior strength but at a lower price point. Ideal for rustic-style pieces.

Plain Sawn White Oak

Traditional cathedral-pattern grain in white oak. Same strength and durability as QSWO but cut differently to show sweeping arches rather than ray flecks.

Hard Maple

Also called sugar maple or rock maple. Approximately double the hardness of brown maple — one of the 5 best woods for dining tables. A lighter, more even color with closer growth rings. More expensive due to slower growth.

Wormy Maple

Also known as ambrosia maple. Features beautiful patterns from Ambrosia beetles — grey stripes and small worm holes that create a unique aesthetic. Brown color with stunning visual character. Part of the soft maple family.

Tiger Maple

The most dramatic figured wood we offer. Distinctive curly/striped pattern that catches and reflects light, creating a 3D shimmer effect. Each piece is truly one of a kind.

Hickory

The hardest American hardwood we offer. Stronger than white oak or hard maple with a whopping Janka of 1820. Color ranges from light to reddish brown. Can take 200 years to fully grow. A cost-effective, ultra-durable choice.

Rustic Hickory

Steps up the natural rustic character of hickory with more knots, burls, color streaks, and grain variation. Shares hickory's superior strength at a lower cost. The perfect combination of aesthetics and durability.

Elm

A popular wood with smooth texture, dramatic grain pattern, and excellent resistance to splitting and cracking. Colors range from reddish brown to light brown. Rarer and more expensive due to limited supply.

Rustic Walnut

Rich chocolate brown with natural knots and character marks. All the depth and warmth of walnut with rustic charm. A more affordable way to get walnut's signature dark look.

Prime Walnut

The premium select-grade walnut — deep, rich dark chocolate brown with smooth straight grain. No knots or defects. The most refined, luxurious wood we offer.

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