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African Mahogany Color: The heartwood is initially pink in color, but exposure darkens it to reddish-brown. Colors (light to dark) can vary greatly with different boards. Grain: Grain may be straight, but is more often interlocked. Texture: It resists denting and marring about as well as white oak or birch. The weight is medium. The wood has high density. Staining: African mahogany is reported to take stains well, but variations in colors will be pronounced. Painting: The wood is reported to take paint or enamel very well. A primer design to eliminate tannin (red) bleed out is recommended. Weathering Properties: African mahogany is reported to have very good weathering qualities which make a good choice for doors. Alder Color: The heartwood, which is indistinct from the sap wood, is whitish when first cut, but changes color upon exposure to light brown. Grain: Alder has been described as 'pleasing' in appearance, with grain that is typically straight and subdued. Although the color has often been described as delicate, the wood is without any outstanding figure. Texture: Texture is typically fine and even, and is close. Staining: The uniform, small pore structure and color consistency of alder are reported to allow it to accept a variety of commercially available stains, and can be stained to match other cabinet woods. Painting: The wood is reported to take paint or enamel very well. Weathering Properties: Alder does not have ratings for exterior use. Knotty Alder Color The heartwood, which is indistinct from the sap wood, is whitish when first cut, but changes color upon exposure to light brown. Grain: Same as Alder Texture Texture is typically fine and even, but it has tight open knots Staining: The uniform, small pore structure and color consistency of alder are reported to allow it to accept a variety of commercially available stains, and can be stained to match other cabinet woods. The knotty grade is good for distressing. Painting: The wood is not to be used for painting due to the exposed knots. Weathering Properties: Alder does not have ratings for exterior use. Hard maple Color: Hard Maple is white in color. Grain: Grain is typically straight, but it can also be curly or wavy. Texture: The wood has a very fine and even texture. It is a very hard wood and will take wear well. Staining: The wood is reported to stain satisfactorily but unevenly. Painting: The wood is reported to take paint or enamel very well. Weathering Properties: Hard Maple does not have ratings for exterior use. Honduras Mahogany Color: Mahogany varies considerably in color maturing into a deep rich red or brown color with age. Very consistent colors, but will have small worm holes. Grain: The grain is straight to wavy, or curly. Texture: The texture is fine or medium to course, and uniform. Weathering Properties: Mahogany is reported to have very good weathering qualities which make a very good choice for doors. Staining: The wood takes stain well. Painting The wood is reported to take paint or enamel very well. A primer designed to eliminate tannin (red) bleed out is recommended. Poplar Color: The heartwood is described as pale-olive green to brown, or clear yellow to tan or greenish brown. It usually has blue-colored streaks or shades of purple, dark green, blue and black. Grain: The wood is straight grained, occasionally with an attractive blister figure. Texture: Texture is typically fine and even. Staining: Staining characteristics are reported to be good. Different colored streaks which are normally found in the heartwood will interfere with stain finish. Painting: The wood takes paint very well. Exterior durability: Very little. Has great tendency to rot in exterior use if not properly and continuously sealed from elements. Not recommended for exterior use. Excellent wood for interior use paints well. Red oak Color: The heartwood is pinkish to light reddish brown or light brown. The wood may also show a pronounced cast of flesh color. Grain: The grain is usually straight and open. Plain sawn lumber usually exhibits a plumed or flared grain appearance, while rift sawn members show a tighter grain pattern and low figuring. Quarter sawn red oak boards often have a flake pattern which is sometimes referred to as tiger rays or butterflies. Grain and color variation is usually pronounced and is dependent upon the origin of the wood and the growing season in that locality. Texture: The texture is medium to course, and uniform. Hardness is rated as medium, and weight is high. Staining: The wood has good staining qualities. Large pores tend to produce strong contrast in staining. Consistent use of a batch of either quarter sawn or flat sawn stock for a given project is recommended since prominent rays can render seams in edge-glued stock very obvious. Red oak is regarded as one of the most beautiful woods to work with because of its grain pattern and character. Smaller rays give the timber a plainer figure than white oak, and its open pores make it less water-tight. Painting: The large pores of this wood present a challenge for a smooth paint finish. Weathering Properties: Red Oak has good weathering qualities. Slightly less than white oak. Soft maple Color: The heartwood is light brown and may occasionally show a grayish or greenish tinge or a faint purplish hue. Grain: Straight but occasionally curly or wavy. The wood is described as close-grained. Texture: The wood is fine textured, and is medium hard. Staining: This wood has poor to medium staining qualities. It has a great tendency to stain unevenly. Painting: Soft Maple has excellent painting characteristics.
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