Wood commonly used for manufacturing furniture

Any wood can be used in manufacturing of furniture, but as with other types of materials, some wood are more used and preferred than others. However, this did not stay constant throughout the ages due to technological advancement and more importantly, uncontrolled deforestation in the past. Regardless, here are some wood commonly used for furniture crafting today.

Ash:
Widespread much across Asia, Europe, and North America, it is known to be dense, very strong yet elastic, and also easy to work with. It is used extensively for furniture where strength matters. Coupled with moderate pricing, furniture made from Ash are commonplace.

Ash bedside cabinet

Beech:
This is yet another common wood for furniture crafting due to its density, strength and flexibility. While usually pale and not very attractive, its inherent durability, ability to be stained and finished well yet inexpensive nature made it popular nonetheless. 

Beech sideboard

Cedar:
The softwood is contrary to popular perception, very durable despite not being very dense. Its distinctive scent enabled it to repel insects, as well as having decent fungal and bacterial resistance. Due to being known for low flame spreading rating as well, it is moderately expensive.

Cedar table

Hickory:
Its combination of hardness, stiffness and toughness are rarely found in other kinds of wood. The inherent grain patterns and wide colour variations in from white to dark brown allows end products to stand out, as such the popular wood is priced at moderate premium ranges.

Hickory bench

Oak:
This hardwood, red or white, is one of the most common to be found in any kind of crafting, due to being widely known for its strength, toughness and attractive grain. Despite being moderately expensive, the wood is used to craft all manners of solid furniture. White oak is usually more expensive than red.

Oak desk

Rubberwood:
It’s known first and foremost for being eco-friendly, due to being chopped down after the tree can no longer produce latex. The hardwood can be easily worked with and finishes well. However, due to moderate strength and durability, it is inexpensive, which coupled with the eco-friendly characteristics, is commonly used for manufacturing furniture in Asia.

Rubberwood table and chairs

Pine:
This softwood is mostly chosen for its natural beauty, in the form of its distinctive light and dark grain pattern, than for usual strength and toughness. It is used in nearly all manners of furniture, primarily for unfinished ones, as it’s inexpensive.

Pine wardrobe and drawers

Poplar:
The light cream to yellowish brown softer hardwood is moderately strong and durable. Its closed grained nature enables it to stain well and it is easy to work with. Its inexpensive price due to such characteristic combinations, results it being commonly used for furniture manufacturing.

Poplar buffet

Teak:
This hardwood is a modern day favourite, due to its strength, durability, exceptional rot resistance and rich golden-yellow to dark brown colours yet easy to work with, especially for outdoor furniture manufacturing. As such, despite widespread cultivation, it is very expensive.

Teak outdoor table and chairs

There are many other woods like mahogany, ebony, rosewood, cherry, elm, walnut more sought after for manufacturing furniture. However, inherent scarcity and unsustainable logging has caused furniture made from such woods to range anywhere from very to prohibitively expensive. While they are still popular, they certainly are no longer common.