What wood type do you recommend for painting?

We recommend Soft Maple as our paintgrade option. Soft maple is a hardwood and offers a smooth painting surface for finishing. Soft maple is just a little less dense (or hard) than hard maple. It is actually the same density as Cherry on the Janka hardness scale. Another paintgrade option would be Rubberwood. Often a more economical option, Rubberwood is also part of the Maple family. We do recommend using a good primer with this wood type, as it is more porous.Learn more about Rubberwood. A third option for a paintgrade wood is Alder. Alder is much less dense than Soft Maple and does tend to dent rather easily. This is an economical option when Soft Maple and Rubberwood are not available. At times we may offer "Paintgrade" as a woodtype option for a particular wood component. Paintgrade could be any wood species that does not have a distinct grain that would show through paint. This option is often most economical but can only be used for painting applications.

Is soft maple a soft wood?

No. Soft Maple is actually a hardwood. In fact, Soft Maple has a density of 950 on the Janka Hardness Scale. Soft Maple gets its name because it is less dense than Hard Maple (1450 on the Janka scale). Soft Maple also exhibits mineral streaking in the wood. This gray coloring makes Soft Maple a much better paint grade option than stain grade, as the streaking may show through lighter stains.

What is the difference between hard and soft maple?

Soft Maple (950 on the Janka Scale) gets its name because it is less dense than Hard Maple (1450 on the Janka Scale). Soft Maple also exhibits mineral streaking in the wood. This gray coloring makes Soft Maple a much better paint grade option than stain grade, as the streaking may show through lighter stains.

Why is knotty pine not a good choice if we plan to paint wood?

Knotty Pine, true to its name, contains tight knots throughout the wood. These knots absorb paint much differently than the rest of the wood. Even if they are covered with paint at the time of finishing, the paint may be absorbed over time causing the knots to "bleed through." Knotty Pine can be painted, however, if a distressed or rustic finish is required. If the desired finish includes seeing grain and knots through the paint than this wood type is a great option.

Does knotty pine have a lot of knots?

Not all Knotty Pine pieces will have knots but they are common. The knots are a variety of shapes and sizes. The craftsmen avoid knots that impact the integrity of the piece.

What is Rubberwood? Can I stain it?

Rubberwood is a wood from the Maple family. It actually comes from a sap producing tree that no longer produces that sap which was turned into rubber. A green or eco-friendly option, choosing Rubberwood is re-purposing this tree for a new use! Rubberwood can be either painted or stained to achieve the desired finish. Learn More About Rubberwood

What type of wood is the hardest?

Wood types are often measured by density to determine hardness. According to the Janka Scale, Hickory is the hardest wood type (1820 on the scale).

Why is white oak more expensive than red oak?

White Oak is a specialty wood type at Osborne Wood Products. Because of its rare nature, White Oak tends to cost roughly twice the price of Red Oak in some cases.

Are components sold solid or are they glued-up?

While we realize that solid components are desired for aesthetics, it is not always possible for us to acquire wood that is wide enough to create components out of one solid piece. Because of this, laminates may be used for particular products, sizes, wood types, etc. Learn More about Laminates and Availability of Solids

How much weight can each wood support?

Our products are not weight tested. However, Osborne Wood Products components are specifically designed for load bearing purposes with proper installation.

What are the best wood types for exterior use?

Although we do not recommend any wood for outdoor use Mahogany, Cypress, and Western Cedar are the best options for exterior use. Osborne Wood Products also offers Exterior Glue as a service which may be an option for laminates used in exterior situations. Contact Us to discover availability and add this service to your order. Because Osborne does not recommend products for exterior use, we cannot guarantee the longevity or structural stability of your exterior components.

Can I leave my components unfinished?

No. All products must be finished upon receipt.

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Wood Species

How to Choose A Wood Type for Your Next Project infographic 2

Frequently Asked Wood Type Questions

Osborne Offers Products In:

Soft Maple
Hickory
Red Oak
Knotty Pine
Rubberwood
Alder
Cherry
Hard Maple
Mahogany
Red Birch
Black Walnut
Beech
Spanish Cedar
Western Red Cedar
White Oak