When you buy or build furniture, it is important to know the type of wood. The hardest ones are made from trees that produce flowers, while the softwood is less compact. Sometimes it is difficult to recognize the type of wood due to the varnish and aging. Follow these steps to learn how to tell them apart.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Recognize the most common woods
Step 1. Find out if it is solid wood
Look at the end. If there are no rings or streaks it is probably a piece of plywood and cannot be identified.
Step 2. Find out if it's aged or painted
Most woods as they age in the sun, rain and wind acquire a color ranging from blue to gray. Or it may have been painted to look like another type of wood. See if the color is uniform or if there are any paint marks.
If this is the case, you should move on to the third part, as it is difficult to determine which variety it is just by observing. You can have wood analyzed under a microscope in a laboratory to determine what it is
Step 3. Sand the wood to expose the grain
This is an essential operation.
Step 4. Find out if it's oak
It is a very common type of wood in furniture. It is usually light brown, but it can also be reddish or lighter. The oak is crossed by slightly dark streaks.
Step 5. Or cherry
Cherry is red with a dark brown grain. Keep in mind that poplar, when painted, is virtually indistinguishable from cherry.
Step 6. Or walnut
Among the dark woods it is the most common. The grain is large and a nice chocolate brown color.
Step 7. Light wood could be maple
This is one of the most common light woods, often used for floors and surfaces. The grain is large.
- Keep in mind that it could also be fir, but it is characterized by an easily recognizable grain. It is also much lighter and less compact than maple.
- Poplar is also light yellow. It is a hardwood, inexpensive and widely used, it can be painted to look like cherry, walnut or other types of wood.
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing exotic woods
Step 1. Your wood may not fall into the categories listed above
Step 2. Take a sample, sand the surface to expose the grain and place it near the computer
Step 3. Log in to the "Wood database"
In this list you will find images of almost all common and exotic essences. Scroll through the images to find the ones that look like your wood and click on them to get more information.
Type "wood database" in the search engine to find the site URL
Step 4. You can sort the list by common name, scientific name or wood appearance
In most cases, the latter option is chosen.
Step 5. Compare different types of wood with similar colors and grain
When you find the right one click on the photo to get more information on the most common uses and user comments.
Step 6. Look at the additional photos for the chosen type of wood
Step 7. If you don't have internet access, consider purchasing the "Wood:
Identification & Use”(wood: how to distinguish and use it) by Terry Porter. Here, too, you can find pictures and information on over 200 types of wood.
Method 3 of 3: Identify the wood in the lab
Step 1. Cut a sample of the wood
Some centers offer a free service for a limited number of pieces. make sure the sample is of the required measurements.
Step 2. Label the sample and place it in a sealed envelope
Step 3. Send the sample in a letter to a laboratory or a specialized association for identification
Step 4. Pack the sample in a box or padded envelope
Step 5. Wait a few weeks for the result
If you are in a hurry you can try to contact a local craftsman.
