Wood Species in Detail: Beech

Exploring different types of wood for your next woodworking or furniture project? There are many choices when it comes to hardwood, and your decision will depend on a variety of factors, including project type, aesthetics, budget, and more.

Beech wood is a popular hardwood option for all kinds of projects, from wood furniture to musical instruments. Depending on your plans, American or European beech wood might be the best choice for you.

What Is Beech Wood?

Beech wood is a type of hardwood harvested from beech trees, which come in multiple varieties depending on where they grow. The most prominent species of beech trees are American beech and European beech, or fagus sylvatica and fagus grandifolia, respectively.

Though they grow in different climates and locations, these trees produce a similar product that is suitable for many types of woodworking and construction.

With a Janka hardness scale rating of 1,300 lbf, beech wood is easily one of the hardest hardwood options available. Despite its natural sturdiness, beech wood is known for being generally workable.

Its color ranges from pale straw yellow to golden brown, and some pieces feature white or pink veining.

Right after the beech trees are sawn for harvesting, steam is applied to the timber before it can air dry. This process causes the wood’s naturally white sapwood to darken in color until it’s similar to the heartwood.

Once the lumber is evenly dried, it regains its hardness while still being workable and can be used for furniture, instruments, and more.

American Beech vs. European Beech

What are the differences between beech wood from North America and Europe? Both fall under the hardwood classification and have high rankings on the Janka hardness scale. However, these two types of beech wood have slight variations in workability and aesthetics.

American beech is naturally slightly darker than its European counterpart with a reddish brown hue and a large amount of variation between logs.

Its grain is usually coarse, straight, and closed, which makes it a good choice for high-touch projects. This type of grain allows it to be highly shock-absorbent and resistant to wear.

The classic yellow-gold color of beech wood is more accurately attributed to European beech rather than North American beech. This hue makes English, French, and Central European beech well-suited for finishing and staining, and its fine grain allows it to be especially workable and suitable for detailed furniture or woodcarving.

Both American and European beech are durable and shock-resistant woods that can hold up well against wear and tear. They respond well to glues, nails, finishes, and turning.

Characteristics of Beech Wood

Physical Properties

Depending on whether your beech wood comes from Europe or North America, your lumber’s natural color could range from a light straw hue to a deep golden brown or reddish brown.

The wood grain of beech wood tends to be straight and closed, though some European varieties have finer wood grain that’s better for staining than North American beech.

Mechanical Properties

Beech wood’s Janka hardness scale rating of 1,450 lbf ranks it among some of the hardest and most durable hardwoods. White oak and red oak have similar Janka hardness ratings. The average weight of dried beech wood is 45 pounds per cubic foot. Its shrinkage rate is 5.5% radial, 11.9% tangential, and 17.2% volumetric.

Durability

The durability and workability of beech wood make it a top choice for indoor furniture. Beech woodworking stands up well to wear and tear, even after years of heavy use.

Workmanship

Beech wood is known for being relatively easy to work with overall in a variety of settings. It is also particularly responsive to steam-bending, which is a process experienced woodworkers undertake to change the shape of beech wood lumber as needed for specialized projects. Beech components can be modified if necessary for project use without much difficulty.

It’s important to note that beech wood tends to shift over time, which can lead to issues with structural integrity if improperly cared for.

What Makes Beech So Versatile?

Beech wood’s hardness makes it a highly versatile option for all kinds of woodworking projects. It responds well to machining, gluing, finishing, and staining. Additionally, with so many varieties of beech trees, beech wood can be found at a relatively inexpensive cost in many countries around the world.

Is Beech Good for Furniture?

What makes beech wood a good option for furniture building? Its workability, desirable aesthetics, and benefits for the planet are all primary reasons.

Workability

Beech is compatible with a wide variety of woodworking tools and techniques, which makes it well-suited for everything from basic furniture pieces to highly specialized statement items. As long as you care for your beech furniture, it will last against many years of wear and tear.

Aesthetic Appeal

Beech wood’s golden brown or reddish-brown color makes it a popular choice for home décor and custom furniture. It takes stains and varnishes well without getting blotchy, so its final color can be curated to your specifications.

Environmental Benefits

Beech wood is abundant, especially in Europe. This means that choosing beech wood for your project isn’t putting any endangered trees at risk.

How Do You Properly Care for and Maintain Beech Wood Furniture?

To clean your beech wood furniture, all that’s needed is a light swiping with a wet cloth followed by a dry cloth. Never use harsh chemicals or cleaning agents on your beech furniture. If possible, keep it away from direct sunlight and avoid constant changes in humidity.

Trust Osborne Wood for Your Next Woodworking Project

At Osborne Wood, our team of experts is here to help you plan your next furniture or woodworking project from start to finish. Contact us today to learn more about whether beech wood is the right lumber for you.

Check out the links below to read more in-depth about all the other wood types we offer:

• Maple (hard, soft, tiger/curly)
• Pine (knotty, heart, specialty)
• Oak (red, white, rift vs. quarter sawn)
• Rubberwood
• Beech - this post
• Mahogany
• Alder
• Cherry
• Black Walnut
• Hickory
• Poplar
  
• Western Red Cedar
• Spanish Cedar
• Miscellaneous & Specialty Woods