For centuries, builders have turned to wood as their choice material, prizing it for both its enduring strength and natural beauty in construction and remodeling. No matter the scope of your project, the type of wood you pick can either make or break the results. From sturdy oak to rich mahogany, each type of lumber brings its own strengths and weaknesses to the table.
With over 100 years of experience, Marling Lumber offers a vast range of premium lumber and building materials, backed by knowledgeable staff devoted to helping you choose the best materials. Let's take a look at the most popular options and help you find the perfect match for your next build!
Whether you're building a new deck or crafting custom cabinets, understanding your lumber options is essential. The good news is that all wood types fall into three main categories, hardwood, softwood, and engineered wood. Here’s what you need to know:
Hardwoods pack serious strength as they derive from deciduous trees like oak, maple, and cherry. These woods combine beautiful grain patterns with immense durability, which is why you'll typically spot them in high-end furniture, floors, and cabinets.
Softwoods like pine, cedar, and fir come from evergreen trees and make up the backbone of construction. While not as tough as hardwoods, they're easier on your budget and perfect for everything from house framing to deck building to interior trim.
Engineered wood is where technology meets tradition – think plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and particleboard. These materials are man-made by bonding wood fibers together, giving you a budget-friendly option that works well for many projects, even if it can't match the natural beauty of solid wood.
Now that you're familiar with the different types of lumber, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular hardwoods used in construction and woodworking. From rich walnut to elegant cherry, these hardwoods have earned their place as top choices for quality projects:
Oak: Oak is a staple in wood construction and remodeling. It’s tough, durable, and has a prominent grain that adds character to any project. White oak is excellent for flooring, furniture, and high-traffic areas like kitchens due to its resistance to moisture and rot.
Maple: Known for its smooth grain and light color, maple is a great choice for cabinetry and flooring. Its hardness guarantees that it can withstand extreme use, and it’s a favorite choice for projects that require a clean, uniform appearance.
Cherry: Cherry wood is cherished for its rich, reddish-brown hue, which deepens over time. This makes it a fantastic choice for furniture and high-end millwork. Its fine grain also makes it easy to sand and polish, delivering that desirable, luxurious finish.
Walnut: Walnut’s deep, rich color and straight grain make it a perfect hardwood for statement pieces like custom cabinetry or furniture. While it is on the pricier side, its beauty and workability justify the investment.
Mahogany: Often associated with luxury, mahogany has a distinctive reddish-brown color and smooth grain. It’s particularly durable and rot-resistant, making it a top choice for high-value furniture, decorative accents, and even boat building.
While not as tough as hardwoods, softwoods are a practical, affordable option suited for many different projects. Whether you're building something sturdy or creating something with a bit of charm, softwoods like pine, cedar, and redwood offer plenty of benefits. Here are some of the most popular softwoods:
Pine: Because it's affordable, easy to work with, and versatile, pine is one of the most commonly used softwoods. It's great for furniture, shelving, and construction framing. However, it’s softer than some other woods, making it more prone to scratches and dents.
Cedar: Known for its natural resistance to moisture and pests, cedar is a top choice for outdoor projects like decks, fences, and siding. Its aromatic qualities also make it popular for indoor uses like closet linings and chests. Over time, cedar’s color can change, giving it a rustic, weathered look that many people love.
Douglas Fir: Valued for its strength and straight grain, Douglas Fir is often used in construction for framing, beams, and flooring. While it doesn’t stain well, it holds up excellently under pressure and is a great option for structural projects.
Redwood: Like cedar, redwood is highly resistant to decay and insects, making it an ideal lumber for outdoor use like decking and furniture. Its beautiful red hue and natural beauty are a big draw, though its softness means it can get scratched or dented more easily.
Spruce: Spruce is lightweight and affordable, often used for construction purposes like framing and roofing. While it’s not as durable as some other softwoods, it has great acoustic properties, making it a favorite for crafting musical instruments.
If you're looking to save on costs without sacrificing quality, engineered wood is a fantastic alternative to solid lumber. Materials like plywood and MDF offer strength, versatility, and a polished finish at a fraction of the price of solid wood.
Plywood is known for its durability and is commonly used in subfloors, cabinetry, and furniture. MDF, with its smooth, uniform surface, is perfect for painting or veneering, making it an excellent choice for indoor furniture, trim work, and detailed designs. Whether you're renovating or building from scratch, engineered wood provides an affordable solution that promises reliable results.
When selecting lumber for your project, consider the following factors to ensure you make the right choice:
Durability: For high-traffic areas or outdoor projects, choose durable woods like oak, cedar, or redwood that can handle wear and tear.
Aesthetics: Grain pattern, color, and texture are essential when designing pieces meant to stand out, like cabinetry or furniture. Choose wood species that complement your overall design.
Moisture Resistance: For areas prone to moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor spaces, select woods like cedar, redwood, or treated lumber to avoid rot and decay.
Budget: If cost is a concern, softwoods and engineered woods can offer affordable alternatives without compromising quality, especially for structural projects.
Choosing the right type of lumber can transform your project, ensuring it not only looks great but lasts. Marling Lumber understands just how crucial it is to select the perfect material for your project. Whether it’s a remodeling job or a brand new build, our team is here to help you find the right wood, sourced locally and sustainably.