8 Types of Wood for DIY Projects (With Pictures)

A single of the most hard components of starting up a new Diy undertaking is to choose out which variety of wooden is best. Right after all, deciding on the correct wooden can make a huge difference in your project, such as how difficult it will be to end and its final look.

In the long run, you want to pick the very best sort of wood for your Do it yourself venture based mostly on the venture at hand. Sometimes, softwood is the far better wood variety, while other projects phone for hardwood. Softwood is wonderful for depth perform, but hardwood is best when you require excessive toughness.

Nevertheless, deciding on the proper wood contains far more than just choosing a hardwood or a softwood. To find out about the eight very best sorts of wood for Do-it-yourself initiatives, maintain looking through.

The 8 Best Types of Wood for DIY Projects

1. Pine

8 Types of Wood for DIY Projects (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Pixabay
Wood Type Softwood
Usage Detail work, carving

Pine has prolonged been one of the most popular softwoods for Do-it-yourself assignments. It is conveniently offered, inexpensive, and straightforward to function on. It is ideal for utility perform, but it is also utilized for furnishings building. Anything else which is excellent about pine is that it will come in many versions and shades.

Pine is a excellent softwood to decide on if you don’t have a powerful arm. It’s effortless for accepting nails and is excellent for carving. Even so, it is not as distinguished as other wooden varieties on our checklist.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Easy to find
  • Easy to nail and carve
  • Rot-resistant
Cons
  • Not as distinguished as other wood types

2. Cedar

8 Types of Wood for DIY Projects (With Pictures)
Cedar lumber (Image Credit: nmai.si.eu, Wikimedia Commons CC0 1.0)
Wood Type Softwood
Usage Outdoor projects, furniture building

Cedar is another common wood sort. This softwood is ideal for outside initiatives and home furniture. It does not take up as considerably humidity as other woods, creating it far more resistant to rot and insects.

It is a bit a lot more expensive than some of the other softwoods. That is mainly due to the fact it is not as ample and is more resistant. Even now, it is much from being the most high-priced wood variety. You need to be able to discover it at practically any wood store.

Pros
  • Easy to find
  • Resists rot and insects
Cons
  • More expensive than others

3. Fir

8 Types of Wood for DIY Projects (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Pixabay
Wood Type Softwood
Usage Light structure work, utility work

Fir wood is considered one particular of the most reasonably priced softwoods. At the very same time, it is structurally audio, creating it excellent for utility operate and light structural perform. It’s usually available at most house facilities on a spending budget.

The draw back of fir wooden is that it is not the most attractive on its personal. For this cause, it’s generally utilised for initiatives that will both be painted or concealed in some way.

Pros
  • Easy to find
  • Affordable
  • Strong and reliable
Cons
  • Not attractive on its own

4. Redwood

8 Types of Wood for DIY Projects (With Pictures)
Image Credit: veenaavinash14, Pixabay
Wood Type Softwood
Usage Outdoor projects

The last softwood on our record is redwood. Redwood is a preferred for out of doors initiatives, like out of doors properties and outdoor household furniture. It is really resistant to dampness, all even though currently being trustworthy and simple to perform with. It doesn’t have any genuine disadvantages and is similar to cedar in most respects.

One particular factor to know about redwood is that it is slightly a lot more expensive simply because of its attractive search. It isn’t insanely pricey, but its reasonable price tag tag may well fit those on a serious spending budget.

Pros
  • Resistant to moisture
  • Attractive
  • Incredibly durable and reliable
Cons
  • Can be expensive

5. Cherry

Wood Type Hardwood
Usage furniture and cabinets

Cherry wood is a single of the most eye-catching wood types. It has a dark and lavish seem, creating it a favorite among cabinetmakers and furnishings makers. It provides heat to the room even though also becoming sturdy.

The largest downside of cherrywood is that it can be quite high-priced. You must only get cherry wood if you are ready to splurge on wooden that is dependable and appealing. This shouldn’t be your go-to for informal Diy assignments. Instead, it’s better for professionals.

Pros
  • Highly attractive
  • Durable and reliable
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not readily available

6. Mahogany

8 Types of Wood for DIY Projects (With Pictures)
Image Credit: optimarc, Shutterstock
Wood Type Hardwood
Usage Furniture

Mahogany is one more well-liked wood type for furniture producing exclusively. It has a stunning crimson-brown tint with straight grain and classy textures. In comparison to other hardwoods, mahogany is a good deal less difficult to function with.

Just like cherry, mahogany can be very pricey. Much more than very likely, you will not be ready to uncover mahogany at local house centers. Instead, you will have to go to lumberyards that offer this distinguished wooden variety.

Pros
  • Highly attractive
  • Durable and reliable
  • Softer than other hardwoods
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Not readily available

7. Maple

8 Types of Wood for DIY Projects (With Pictures)
Image Credit: optimarc, Shutterstock
Wood Type Hardwood and softwood
Usage Versatile

In contrast to other hardwoods, maple is quite adaptable and effortless to use. It arrives in each hardwood and softwood versions, making it perfect for practically any Diy work. It also seems stunning, classy, and distinguished. Oddly ample, maple is not as costly as other hardwoods either.

There aren’t truly any true disadvantages of maple other than it is not as distinguished as some of the other wooden kinds. Additionally, it is not the most inexpensive wooden on this listing, even even though it is more cost-effective than the other hardwoods.

Pros
  • Highly versatile
  • Comes in hardwood and softwood varieties
  • Not as expensive as other hardwoods
Cons
  • Not as distinguished as other hardwoods
  • More expensive than most softwoods

8. Oak

8 Types of Wood for DIY Projects (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Gorlov-KV, Shutterstock
Wood Type Hardwood
Usage Versatile

The final wood sort on our checklist is oak. Oak has been a longtime preferred amongst DIYers since it is beautiful, powerful, easy to function with and keep. This can make oak a preferred for virtually all Diy positions.

Oak isn’t automatically as desirable as the other wooden kinds on our record. The white selection is a bit a lot more attractive than the purple, but neither are as spectacular as cherry, mahogany, or the other alternatives on our listing.

Pros
  • Versatile
  • Easy to work with and easy to maintain
  • Indoor and outdoor safe
Cons
  • Not as attractive as other options

How Do I Pick Out the Best Wood for My DIY Project?

Each time you choose out the very best wood kind for your Diy project, the very first factor to request oneself is whether or not you want hardwood or softwood. Hardwood is better for outdoor positions and home furniture, whereas softwood is better for element perform.

Following that, think about your budget. The funds will support you narrow down the wooden kind between the hardwood and softwood types. Much more so, contemplate your own personal preferences, these kinds of as colour and grain, to uncover the actual wood variety you like.e

8 Types of Wood for DIY Projects (With Pictures)
Image Credit: Zephyr_p, Shutterstock

What Is the Cheapest Wood to Buy?

If you are on a budget, softwoods are inclined to be the most inexpensive. For illustration, pine and fir are inclined to be some of the most affordable wood kinds at most shops. As for hardwoods, oak is extremely reasonably priced simply because of how conveniently offered it is in character.

Conclusion

If you are a Do it yourself woodworker, it is crucial to choose the appropriate wood for the occupation. For many Do it yourself work, softwoods are the best due to the fact they are less complicated to perform with and far more affordable. Even now, hardwoods are advantageous for their extra longevity.

It is critical that you decide on wooden dependent on the occupation at hand. For some people, cedar will be the ideal decision, but cherry may be the best for other people. So, contemplate your wants, wants, and spending budget to figure out which wooden sort is ideal for your Do-it-yourself work particularly.


Featured Image Credit score: Pixabay

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