What Is the Best Wood for Shelves? (10 Ideas with Pictures)

If you are generating wood cabinets for the initial time, component of your task is to establish the ideal wooden sort for the shelves. Total, you will want to appear for hardwoods simply because these wooden kinds will be the most tough and stand up to the most fat. At the exact same time, you want to decide on a wooden that appears great and is obtainable.

Below, we will go over the 10 very best wood varieties for shelves. A lot of carpenters use these wooden kinds for constructing cabinets because of their toughness and look. Scroll down to discover a lot more about these woods.

The 10 Best Woods for Shelves

1. Mahogany

Mahogany is in fantastic demand. It is harder than most other woods, which includes Oak. This helps make Mahogany a excellent choice if you want a tough and scratch-resistant shelf. Mahogany also has a quite classic and antique seem that is appealing to most.

Of system, the large downside of Mahogany is its cost. Even Mahogany with no a finish can price as a lot as $28 per board foot, creating Mahogany one of the most pricey wood varieties on our listing.

2. Red Oak

Red Oak is a favorite wooden for shelves by hobbyists and novice carpenters. Due to the fact of its red grain, Crimson Oak seems a whole lot fancier than it actually is. It has an beautiful color that certainly will make any shelf appear beautiful. At the very same time, Oak is extremely tough and economical.

Even though Red Oak is reasonably tough, it still can be dented fairly very easily, however it is resistant to scratching. It can also be very easily destroyed by water, which signifies this is not the shelf for you if the shelf will be uncovered to large quantities of moisture.

3. Cherry

Cherry wooden is regarded one particular of the most aesthetic wood types for cabinets. Since of its abundant, pink color and fine grain, it is frequently employed for boards and panels. When cared for correctly, Cherry is a preferred amongst collectors and antique hobbyists.

In addition to its stunning visual appeal, Cherry is relatively easy to shape and polish. It also is 1 of the lighter hardwoods on this checklist, making it less difficult to transportation.

The massive draw back of Cherry is its price tag. As you probably know, Cherry is a single of the most costly woods you can get. Cherry lumber typically sells for in excess of $a hundred, even though density can impact the price tag.

4. Walnut

Walnut is a single of the most steady hardwoods indigenous to North The usa. It often has a number of hues on a solitary board, producing it a stunning choice. Concurrently, Walnut is amazingly strong, lasts a long time, and is fairly effortless to work with.

The draw back of Walnut is that it is a little bit pricey. In addition, Walnut can be scratched fairly easily. What this signifies is that Walnut is ideal for professional shelves that will be offered the utmost care and interest.

5. Birch

Birch is an extremely robust wooden that is often employed in cupboards and household furniture. It can endure a very good beating although remaining relatively attractive. It can even soak up paint effectively, producing it a fantastic choice if you intend to paint the shelf.

Just like some of the other prime wooden kinds on our list, Birch is expensive. It also can crack and warp if it is remaining in an excessively dry atmosphere.

6. Maple

If you previously have distinct types of wood in your property, you will likely want your shelf to match. Maple is a very good wood for this explanation. It is very powerful, and it can be stained effortlessly so that it will match other components of the space.

Though Maple is gorgeous, it is not very weather resistant. It is sensitive to humidity modify, for illustration. The wooden also should be sealed to have even staining.

7. African Padauk

African Padauk is not a quite frequent hardwood, but it is exceptionally versatile and a fantastic choice for indoor shelving. It can arrive in a lot of shades, enabling it to suit any design and style or style. It is also resistant to rot and termite harm.

Simply because African Padauk is not a widespread wooden variety, the most challenging element of functioning with it is discovering it. It is not accessible at all wood sellers. More so, it can emit an odor when you are very first working with it that some are allergic to.

8. Koa

Koa, in any other case known as Tigerwood, is a prolonged-lived and strong wood. Oddly adequate, it has lower excess weight, making it a sought-soon after wooden given that it is easier to work with. It also has a distinctive look that several really like, all although getting water-resistant.

It can be challenging to work with Koa, unfortunately. If you are a first-time consumer, you may possibly want to choose for a wood variety that will much more commonly consider your dealing with. Furthermore, it can be tough to uncover at some suppliers.

9. Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir is not 1 of the strongest woods on our record, but it is a favored shelf sort for cupboards. It is trusted, desirable, and cost-effective, depending on in which you dwell. As a outcome, Douglas Fir is the greatest wood for closet cabinets.

If you choose Douglas Fir, you really don't want to place abnormal excess weight on the shelf. For illustration, Douglas Fir is not the right choice for bookshelves and other cabinets that will have too much quantities of fat.

10. Pine

The last wood type on our record is Pine. Pine is not the most resilient or strongest wood, but it is light-weight and desirable. It is a great decision for beginners since it can simply be worked with and even be stained.

If you pick Pine, it’s essential that you use it with lightweight employment. Simply because it is a softwood, it is much more vulnerable to breakage, and it is not excessively robust.

What Wood Should Not be Used for Shelves?

Whenever you are making a shelf, you will want to keep away from wood that is gentle, not quite powerful, or simple to hurt. For case in point, most softwoods and plywood are simply not robust and durable ample for a shelf. All the woods above, other than for Douglas Fir and Pine, are hardwoods as a consequence.

If you choose to select Douglas Fir or Pine, it’s crucial that you pair it with the proper use. Possibly wood type can make an exceptional shelf for little ornamental trinkets, but it need to not be utilized for bookshelves and other weighty-responsibility perform.

You will also want to steer clear of any wood with big nuts or inadequate-graded sides. Any lumber with these attributes will be demanding to complete and paint.

Conclusion

The greatest wood for cabinets is Mahogany, Red Oak, or Cherry. These 3 wood types are extremely resilient, generating them perfect for cabinet use. If you are on a spending budget, we suggest Pink Oak specifically.

If you are not offered on a single of these a few sorts of woods, any 1 of the other wooden varieties will perform as properly. If you decide on Douglas Fir or Pine, just be careful how you use it given that it is a softwood.

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