How to Pick the Right Wood (The Roger Way)

Start Smart: Wood Choice Comes First

Before you cut a single board or fire up the saw, you’ve got to start with the right wood. It’s the most important decision you’ll make for any project. Pick the wrong kind, and you’re in for a world of frustration — wasted time, rough finishes, or worse, a full do-over.

Let’s break it down, plain and simple, so you know what to look for the next time you walk into a lumber yard.

🌲 Hardwoods vs. Softwoods (Don’t Let the Names Fool You)

All wood falls into two basic categories: hardwood and softwood — but the names can be misleading.

• Hardwoods come from flowering, leafy trees (angiosperms). Examples: oak, maple, cherry.
• Softwoods come from conifers like pine, fir, and cedar — fast-growing, cone-bearing trees.
• Despite the name, softwood can be tougher than hardwood — fir and pine are great for framing and floors.

The key? Don’t pick based on the name. Pick based on what the wood needs to do.

🔧 Grades of Wood (Quality Matters)

• Select Grade: Premium lumber — smooth, knot-free, and consistent. Ideal for cabinets, furniture, and decorative builds.
• Common Grade: Your rugged, ready-to-work wood. Expect a few knots and blemishes — perfect for structural builds or hidden framing.

Think of it like this: Select is for what people see. Common is for what they don’t.

🪵 Wood Types and Their Best Uses

Here's a quick rundown of popular woods — what they’re good for and when to use them.

Pine

• Budget-friendly, lightweight, and easy to cut.
• Takes stain beautifully and shapes easily.
• Great for indoor furniture, shelving, and cabinets.

Poplar

• Has a smooth surface and barely visible grain.
• Doesn’t stain well, but takes paint like a champ.
• Perfect for baseboards, painted furniture, and trim work.

Redwood

• Naturally rot-resistant and bug-repellent.
• Great choice for outdoor furniture, garden beds, and fences.
• Gives a rich, reddish tone that stands up to the elements.

Treated Lumber

• Pressure-treated to resist water, rot, and insects.
• Use for outdoor walls, decks, and posts that touch soil.
• Not ideal for indoor use where hands or skin make contact — contains chemicals.

Oak, Maple, Cherry

• Classic hardwoods with beautiful, unique grain patterns.
• Perfect for tables, cabinets, and anything meant to impress.
• Durable and strong — but usually pricier.

Rosewood

• Known for its deep reddish hue and smooth texture.
• Common in musical instruments and fine veneers.
• Polishes up with a beautiful natural shine.

Final Word from Rog

Wood’s not just wood. Every board’s got its own personality — how it cuts, how it stains, how it lasts. The more you work with different types, the easier it gets to know what’s right for each job.

So take your time. Look at the grain. Check for warping. And don’t let the guy at the yard sell you something you don’t need.

When in doubt, keep it simple. Build it strong.

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