Compare wood species by hardness, workability, and best finishes. Helps select the right wood for furniture, trim, and outdoor projects.
| Species | Janka Hardness | Grain | Rot Resistance | Best Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOFTWOODS | ||||
| Pine (Eastern White) | 380 | Tight, minimal figure | Low | Paint, primer required |
| Pine (Southern Yellow) | 690 | Pronounced grain | Moderate | Stain, polyurethane |
| Cedar (Western Red) | 350 | Straight, aromatic | Excellent | Oil or natural (weathers) |
| Fir (Douglas) | 660 | Straight, prominent | Moderate | Stain, clear finish |
| Redwood | 450 | Straight, fine | Excellent | Oil or natural |
| HARDWOODS | ||||
| Oak (Red) | 1290 | Open, prominent | Low | Stain (takes well), poly |
| Oak (White) | 1360 | Closed, straight | Good | Stain, oil, outdoor use |
| Maple (Hard) | 1450 | Tight, uniform | Low | Clear finish, difficult to stain |
| Cherry (Black) | 950 | Fine, smooth | Moderate | Oil, clear (darkens with age) |
| Walnut (Black) | 1010 | Straight, rich | Good | Oil, Danish oil, clear |
| Ash | 1320 | Open, prominent | Low | Stain, clear finish |
Janka Hardness: Higher numbers = harder wood, more dent resistant
What it measures: Force (pounds) required to embed a 0.444" steel ball halfway into wood
Hardness Scale Reference:
Application Guide:
Open-Grain Woods
Examples: Red Oak, Ash, Walnut
Characteristics: Large, visible pores
Finishing:
Closed-Grain (Tight-Grain) Woods
Examples: Maple, Cherry, White Oak
Characteristics: Small, tight pores
Finishing:
Oil Finish (Tung, Linseed, Danish Oil)
Best For: Walnut, Cherry, Teak, outdoor furniture
Pros: Easy application, enhances natural color, repairable
Cons: Less protective, requires reapplication
Gel Stain + Polyurethane
Best For: Maple, Pine, blotch-prone woods
Pros: Even color, highly protective topcoat
Cons: Can obscure grain slightly
Water-Based Stain + Poly
Best For: Oak, Ash (open-grain woods)
Pros: Penetrates well, low odor, fast drying
Cons: Raises grain, requires sanding between coats
Oil-Based Stain + Poly
Best For: Most hardwoods, traditional look
Pros: Deep color, long open time for blending
Cons: Slow drying, strong odor, yellows over time
Paint (Primer + Topcoat)
Best For: Pine, Poplar, MDF, utilitarian projects
Pros: Hides imperfections, unlimited color options
Cons: Completely obscures wood grain
Natural/No Finish
Best For: Cedar, Redwood outdoor projects
Pros: Zero maintenance initially, weathers beautifully
Cons: Will gray over time, no stain protection
Excellent (Heartwood):
Moderate:
Low (Not Outdoor Suitable):
Note: "Heartwood" (inner, darker wood) is more rot-resistant than "sapwood" (outer, lighter wood). For outdoor projects, select heartwood or use pressure-treated lumber.
Flooring
Best: Red Oak, White Oak, Hard Maple, Hickory (Janka 1000+)
Why: Hardness resists dents, takes heavy traffic
Furniture (Fine)
Best: Walnut, Cherry, Maple, White Oak
Why: Beautiful grain, stable, workable
Cabinets
Best: Oak, Maple, Cherry, Birch
Why: Stable, accepts finishes well, affordable
Outdoor Decking
Best: Cedar, Redwood, Pressure-Treated Pine, Ipe
Why: Rot resistance, weather durability
Trim/Molding (Paint-Grade)
Best: Pine, Poplar, MDF
Why: Inexpensive, smooth surface, stable
Butcher Block/Cutting Boards
Best: Hard Maple, Cherry, Walnut
Why: Food-safe, hard but not too hard on knives
Framing/Construction
Best: Douglas Fir, Southern Yellow Pine, Spruce
Why: Strong, affordable, readily available
❌ Staining Maple without gel stain or conditioner
Result: Blotchy, uneven finish
❌ Using water-based finish on Cherry without UV protection
Result: Fades/changes color more than oil-based
❌ Not filling grain on Oak before gloss finish
Result: Pores visible, not smooth/glassy
❌ Using indoor-only finish on Cedar outdoors
Result: Finish fails, wood still weathers (use exterior oil or leave natural)
This comprehensive wood species performance and finish guide helps woodworkers, furniture makers, and DIYers select the right wood for their projects and apply the best finish for each species. Understanding the characteristics of different woods - from hardness and grain pattern to rot resistance and finishing properties - is essential for achieving professional results.
The Janka hardness scale provides a standardized measure of wood density and dent resistance, helping you choose appropriate species for flooring, furniture, cutting boards, and other applications. Grain porosity affects how wood accepts stain and finish, with open-grain woods like oak requiring different techniques than closed-grain species like maple.
Whether you're building fine furniture from walnut, installing oak flooring, or constructing an outdoor deck from cedar, this guide provides the information you need to select the right wood and finish it properly for long-lasting, beautiful results.
Choosing the right wood and finish ensures your projects look beautiful and perform well for years. This guide helps you make informed decisions for any woodworking application.