Mahogany (New World mahogany, African mahogany):
This hardwood is a traditional favorite for fine furniture, one of the
most treasured furniture woods in the world. It's also used extensively
in veneers. Mahogany varies in color from medium brown to deep red-brown
and dark red; the grain is very distinctive and attractive. It is very
expensive.
Maple (sugar maple): Maple is a
strong, dense, attractive hardwood, used in furniture and for butcher
blocks. Its color is light brown, with a reddish cast; the grain is
usually straight, but also occurs in bird's-eye, curly, or wavy
patterns. Maple is difficult to work with hand tools, and is usually
expensive.
Oak (red oak, white oak): This abundant hardwood has
always been valued for its strength and its attractive grain; It is
used extensively for solid furniture and, in modern furniture, for
veneers. White oak is a rich grayish brown color; red oak is similar,
but with a pronounced reddish cast. Both types of oak are distinctively
grained, with prominent rays or streaks. The wood is open-grained. It is
moderately expensive; red oak is usually less expensive than white.
Pecan:
This southern hardwood is quite strong, and is used extensively in
dining and office furniture; pecan veneers are also common. The wood
varies from pale brown to reddish brown, with some dark streaks; the
grain is quite pronounced. The wood is difficult to work with hand
tools; the price is moderate.
Pine (white pine): This softwood was used
extensively for Colonial furniture, and is one of the basic woods of
modern furniture; it's used in almost all types of furniture, and is the
primary wood used for unfinished furniture. The wood varies from cream
to yellow-brown, with clearly marked growth rings; it is close-grained.
It is inexpensive.
Poplar (yellow poplar): Poplar is a moderately
soft hardwood, used in inexpensive furniture and in combination with
more expensive woods. The wood is brownish yellow, with a distinctive
green tinge; the grain is subdued. Poplar is close-grained wood. It
stains very well. Poplar is relatively light, and is easy to work with
hand tools. It is inexpensive.