Whether you're planning a home renovation, building custom furniture, or starting a woodworking project, choosing the right timber for bespoke joinery is crucial for long-lasting results. When considering the types of wood and timber, they are typically divided into three main categories: hardwoods, softwoods, and engineered woods. Each has unique characteristics that suit different applications.
In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular types of wood used in bespoke joinery, carpentry, construction, and design—covering traditional species like Oak and Douglas Fir as well as high-performance products like Accoya.
🌳 Types Of Timber: Hardwoods
Hardwoods come from deciduous trees—species that lose their leaves annually. Known for their density and durability, hardwoods are commonly used for furniture, flooring, and detailed joinery.
Oak
- Grain: Prominent, coarse grain
- Colour: Light to medium brown
- Common Uses: Flooring, cabinetry, beams, furniture
- Strengths: Extremely durable and resistant to pests
Ash
- Grain: Straight with occasional figuring
- Colour: Creamy to light brown
- Common Uses: Tools, sports equipment, furniture
- Strengths: Strong yet flexible; excellent shock resistance
Beech
- Grain: Fine and even
- Colour: Pale cream with a pink hue
- Common Uses: Chairs, toys, kitchenware
- Strengths: Tough, wear-resistant, easy to finish
Tulipwood (Poplar in North America)
- Grain: Straight, uniform
- Colour: Pale green to cream, often with purple streaks
- Common Uses: Painted furniture, interiors, mouldings
- Strengths: Lightweight and easy to work with
Sapele
- Grain: Interlocked, decorative
- Colour: Reddish-brown
- Common Uses: Doors, flooring, instruments
- Strengths: High-end look; stable and durable
Iroko
- Grain: Interlocked to irregular
- Colour: Golden to medium brown
- Common Uses: Outdoor furniture, marine use
- Strengths: Natural resistance to decay and moisture
Walnut
- Grain: Rich and straight
- Colour: Deep chocolate brown
- Common Uses: High-end furniture, gunstocks, veneers
- Strengths: Workable and visually striking
Wenge
- Grain: Very tight, with dark streaks
- Colour: Nearly black
- Common Uses: Decorative inlays, flooring, musical instruments
- Strengths: Exceptionally hard and bold in appearance
🌲 Types Of Timber: Softwoods
Softwoods come from coniferous trees, which are typically evergreen. They’re usually faster-growing and more sustainable, making them cost-effective for structural and general-purpose uses.
Douglas Fir
- Grain: Straight, pronounced growth rings
- Colour: Reddish-tan
- Common Uses: Construction, flooring, joinery
- Strengths: Strong, stable, and durable
Southern Yellow Pine
- Grain: Dense, with prominent rings
- Colour: Yellow to deep orange-brown
- Common Uses: Decking, framing, flooring
- Strengths: Very strong and stiff
Redwood
- Grain: Straight with a soft texture
- Colour: Pink to reddish-brown
- Common Uses: Outdoor furniture, cladding, fencing
- Strengths: Naturally rot- and insect-resistant
🧱 Types Of Timber: Engineered Woods
Engineered woods are man-made composites, designed for enhanced performance, consistency, and sustainability. One standout option is:
Accoya
- Process: Wood modified via acetylation for durability
- Colour: Pale, uniform; easily stained or painted
- Common Uses: Windows, doors, cladding, decking
- Strengths: Outstanding resistance to rot, swelling, and shrinking; eco-friendly and dimensionally stable
🔍 How to Choose the Right Wood for Your Project
When selecting timber, consider:
- Durability: For outdoor use, opt for Iroko, Accoya, or Redwood
- Workability: Tulipwood, Beech, and Walnut are easy to machine and finish
- Cost: Softwoods are generally more affordable than hardwoods
- Aesthetics: For rich colours and decorative finishes, choose Wenge, Walnut, or Sapele
✅ Conclusion
From the classic strength of Oak to the cutting-edge performance of Accoya, understanding the different types of wood and timber is essential for making better, longer-lasting choices in bespoke joinery. Whether you're a joiner, DIY enthusiast, or architect, selecting the right timber is the foundation of any great build.
