Natural Woods

Question 1

Oak

Answer 1

Hard, tough, attractive grain, good weather resistance. Contains tannic acid which will corrode steel screws or fixing.
Uses: furniture, flooring, boats, cladding, interior and exterior joinery.

Question 2

Ash

Answer 2

Tough, flexible - open grain pattern. Attractive
Uses: tool handles, ladders, sports equipment, laminating

Question 3

Mahogany

Answer 3

Can contain interlocking grain - harder to work with
Rich, dark red colour
Uses: indoor furniture, shop fittings and cabinets, veneers

Question 4

Teak

Answer 4

Hard, tough, straight grain, natural oils resist moisture, acids and alkalis.

Uses: outdoor furniture, lab benches, traditional boat decks.

Question 5

Birch

Answer 5

Hard, straight close grain, resists warping
Light colour

Uses: furntiture, indoor panelling, veneers

Question 6

Beech

Answer 6

Tough, close grained, hard, steamed and unsteamed (white or pink tinge)

Uses: chairs, chopping boards, steam bent laminated furniture, turned bowls

Question 7

Pine

Answer 7

Straight grain, knotty, resinous knots

Uses: construction work, roof beams and timber frame construction, interior joinery.

Question 8

Spruce

Answer 8

Straight grain, resistant to splitting

Uses: indoor furniture

Question 9

Douglas fir

Answer 9

Straight or slightly wavy grain, few knots, stable, good resistance to corrosion.

Uses: veneers, plywood construction, joinery and construction work

Question 10

Larch

Answer 10

Hard, tough, attractive grain pattern fades to silver upon exposure to outside.

Uses: garden furniture, cladding, decking, fencing

Question 11

Cedar

Answer 11

Straight grain, can corrode ferrous metals due to acidic nature, low density, good sound damping, rot and insect resistant