WOOD COMPARISON CHART
by Greg Schenck, for Houston Design Resources Magazine
WOOD BEST FEATURE DESIGN STYLE COLOR RANGE STAINABILITY DURABILITY
Australian Cypress Sometimes used as a substitute for heart/longleaf pine Rustic, casual Wide variation;
golden tones; high knot content		 Typically not stained; natural color 6% harder than red oak
Bamboo Considered a "green product"; is a grass, not a tree; plants regenerate quickly Contemporary or modern often used where minimal grin or pattern is desired Comes as a light cream or caramel color Accepts stain well Similar to oak in hardness
Brazilian Cherry Extremely durable Traditional to contemporary Deep red/orange/brown tones; minimal knots; tight straight grain Accepts stain well; darkens with exposure to light; dominant red toes return 82% harder than red oak
Domestic Cherry Beautiful delicate grain with character Formal/traditional for select grades; casual/rustic for character grades Golden/honey tones; wide color variation common within a plank Difficult to stain evenly; darkens with exposure to light 26% softer than red oak
Hickory Popular substitute for oak, walnut or mesquite; delicate grain with lots of character Casual or rustic Beige/tan; wide color variation within a plank Accepts stain well; color stable 41% harder than red oak
Sugar Maple Minimal grain, extremely tight color range in highest grades Contemporary, minimalist or modern; used where minimal grain or pattern is desired Creamy white in highest grade; wide variation in lower grades Difficult to stain evenly; ambers slightly with exposure to light 12% harder than red oak
Mesquite The most stable and one of the most durable woods; exquisite character Casual or rustic for character grades;traditional /formal for select grades Deep reddish brown or mahogany Accepts stain well; natural mahogany tones are dominant; darkens with exposure to light 82% harder than red oak
Oak The standard or basic floor material for years Grade and grain pattern can be manipulated to be formal or casual Red oak is slightly pink; white oak is beige/tan Accepts stain very well; color possibilities are almost endless Oak is typically used as the benchmark for hardness