Wood species reference
Compare oak, walnut, pine, maple, birch, and ash by density, hardness, cost tier, weight, indoor/outdoor fit, paint behavior, and stain behavior before picking stock for a project.
Quick database
Values are typical planning ranges. Actual density, hardness, color, price, and durability depend on species, grade, moisture, and supplier.
| Wood | Density | Hardness | Cost | Weight | Indoor | Outdoor | Paint | Stain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak | 42-47 lb/ft³ | Janka 1,290-1,360 | Medium to high | Heavy | Excellent | White oak works better than red oak | Fair | Excellent |
| Walnut | 36-40 lb/ft³ | Janka about 1,010 | High | Medium | Excellent | Protected use only | Poor value | Excellent |
| Pine | 22-35 lb/ft³ | Janka 380-870 | Low | Light | Good | Use treated or protected stock | Good | Blotchy without conditioner |
| Maple | 39-44 lb/ft³ | Janka 950-1,450 | Medium to high | Heavy | Excellent | Poor unless protected | Good | Can blotch |
| Birch | 40-45 lb/ft³ | Janka about 1,260 | Medium | Medium-heavy | Good | Poor unless protected | Good | Can blotch |
| Ash | 39-42 lb/ft³ | Janka about 1,320 | Medium | Medium-heavy | Excellent | Poor unless protected | Fair | Excellent |
Species cards
Oak is strong, wear-resistant, and familiar for furniture, cabinetry, stair parts, and flooring. White oak is more outdoor-capable than red oak.
Walnut is a premium hardwood used when dark color, character, and furniture-grade appearance matter more than low cost.
Pine is light, affordable, easy to cut, and common for beginner projects, trim, utility furniture, and painted work.
Maple is hard, dense, smooth, and durable. It is common for cabinets, drawer parts, work surfaces, and furniture.
Birch is a practical hardwood for plywood faces, cabinets, drawers, utility furniture, and paint-grade parts.
Ash is strong, resilient, and open-grained. It works well for furniture, tool handles, bent parts, and visible grain projects.
Disclaimer
Density, hardness, color, cost, moisture movement, outdoor durability, and finish behavior vary by species, board, grade, drying method, supplier, and local climate. Always inspect the actual stock, test finish samples, and confirm current pricing before buying or building.