Wood Materials Guide

Warm tone, visible grain, budget-friendly

Density: ~400 kg/m³ · Janka hardness: 380–420 lbf

Pine is our most commonly used wood for custom products. Eastern white pine has a pale cream to light yellow-brown color that takes stain and varnish evenly. It weighs about 400 kg/m³ — light enough for economical shipping but dense enough for durable construction. The natural grain gives each piece character. It cuts cleanly, glues well, and has excellent dimensional stability (volume shrinkage of just 8.2%, among the lowest of all pines).

Light, even, paintable, occasionally green-streaked

Density: ~450 kg/m³ · Janka hardness: 540 lbf

Poplar is a light, soft hardwood with a pale cream to light-brown color and a fine, uniform texture. It is inexpensive, easy to work, and takes paint exceptionally well, which makes it the standard choice for painted pieces and internal structural parts where the wood grain won't be seen.

Ultra-lightweight, pale color, smooth texture

Density: 250–350 kg/m³ · One of the lightest commercial woods

Paulownia is one of the fastest-growing and lightest commercial woods in the world. At 250–350 kg/m³, it weighs roughly 60–80% of pine. The wood has a clean, pale surface with a smooth texture that takes paint and light stains well. It air-dries quickly with minimal warping, and its fast growth (harvestable in 8–12 years) makes it one of the more sustainable choices available.

Sustainable byproduct, warm blonde tone

Density: ~560–640 kg/m³ · Medium hardness

Rubberwood is a sustainable byproduct of the latex industry — trees are harvested for timber after their latex-producing life ends. It has a warm blonde tone and medium density, making it a popular eco-conscious choice for kitchen products, small furniture, and cutting boards.

Pale, fine even grain; solid, plywood, and veneer forms

Plywood density: 650–720 kg/m³ · Excellent stability across humidity ranges

Birch is a pale, fine-grained hardwood we offer in three forms: solid birch, cross-laminated birch plywood, and thin flexible birch veneer. Birch plywood's cross-grain construction resists warping and expansion across humidity changes, while the veneer version conforms to curved surfaces that rigid panels can't cover. Both take paint and UV printing cleanly.

Sustainable, light color, clean linear grain

Density: 1,000–1,200 kg/m³ (strand-woven) · Extremely hard

Strand-woven bamboo is one of the hardest wood materials available. At 1,000–1,200 kg/m³, it is denser than most hardwoods and offers exceptional scratch resistance. The surface has a clean, modern linear grain that takes laser engraving cleanly. Bamboo reaches harvest maturity in 5–7 years (vs. 40–80 years for oak), making it the most renewable option on this list.

Hard, dense, fine even texture

Janka hardness: ~1,300 lbf · Excellent for turned products

Beech is a hard, dense hardwood with a fine even texture and pale cream color. It turns well on a lathe and holds fine detail. Commonly used for kitchen utensils, cutting boards, dowels, and children's products where durability and a smooth finish are important.

Pale cream, hard, fine uniform grain

Density: ~620–750 kg/m³ · Janka hardness: 1,450 lbf (hard maple)

Hard maple is a pale, dense hardwood with a fine, uniform grain. At around 1,450 lbf on the Janka scale, it is among the harder domestic woods, giving it excellent scratch resistance. Its light color takes stain, paint, and laser engraving cleanly, and it machines to crisp edges.

Strong, durable, prominent open grain

Density: ~700–770 kg/m³ · Janka hardness: 1,290–1,360 lbf (white oak)

White and red oak are strong, durable hardwoods with a prominent open grain. At roughly 1,300 lbf on the Janka scale, oak is hard and scratch-resistant, and white oak in particular is naturally water-resistant thanks to its high tannin content. It stains and finishes well, giving a classic, long-wearing appearance.

Aromatic, naturally insect- and rot-resistant

Density: ~350–500 kg/m³ · Soft, aromatic, durable

Western red cedar has a warm reddish-brown tone and a distinctive sweet aroma. Its natural oils make it resistant to insects, moisture, and rot, which is why it has long been used for chests, closets, and humidors. It is soft and lightweight, cuts cleanly, and takes stain well.

Rich dark grain, naturally hard and dense

Janka hardness: ~1,700 lbf · Naturally water-resistant

Acacia has a distinctive dark brown grain pattern that gives products a premium, high-contrast look without any staining. At approximately 1,700 lbf on the Janka scale, it is significantly harder than oak and nearly twice as hard as walnut. It resists scratches and has natural water resistance, which is why acacia cutting boards and serving trays are popular with brands targeting mid-to-high-end markets.

Rich reddish-brown that deepens with age

Density: ~560 kg/m³ · Janka hardness: 950 lbf · Fine, even grain

American cherry has a rich reddish-brown heartwood that darkens and deepens with age and light exposure. Its fine, even grain and natural luster make it a favorite for premium boxes and presentation pieces. It machines and finishes beautifully with no need for heavy staining.

Golden-brown, naturally oily, weather-resistant

Density: ~630–720 kg/m³ · Janka hardness: 1,070 lbf · High natural oils

Teak has a golden-brown color and a high natural oil content that makes it one of the most weather- and rot-resistant woods available. It is dimensionally stable and holds up outdoors without heavy treatment. Its premium reputation and durability make it a top choice for long-lasting, high-end pieces.

Dark, luxurious color, fine grain, premium feel

Density: ~610 kg/m³ · Janka hardness: 1,010 lbf · T/R ratio: 1.4 (excellent stability)

Black walnut is widely considered the most valuable North American hardwood. Its rich chocolate-brown heartwood with occasional purple or dark streaks needs little more than a clear coat to look refined. With a T/R shrinkage ratio of just 1.4, it has outstanding dimensional stability. Walnut products carry high perceived value and are typically chosen by brands positioning at the top end of their market.

Deep reddish-brown, straight grain, classic premium look

Density: ~500–650 kg/m³ · Janka hardness: 800–900 lbf · Very stable

Genuine mahogany has a deep reddish-brown color and a straight, even grain that has made it a classic premium furniture wood for centuries. It is exceptionally stable, resists warping and rot, and takes a high polish. Ideal for pieces where a traditional, high-end appearance is wanted.