Wood: types and properties

In short: Wood is divided into softwood (spruce, pine) and hardwood (oak, beech). Softer woods are easier to work, hardwoods are more durable and more expensive.

In more detail: In addition there are wood-based panels such as chipboard, MDF, plywood and OSB.

In detail

• Spruce/pine: Cheap, soft, for shelves and construction.
• Oak: Very hard and long-lasting, for furniture and floors.
• Beech: Hard, even, for furniture and toys.
• Larch/Douglas fir: Weatherproof, good for outdoors.
• Plywood: Glued layers, dimensionally stable.
• MDF and chipboard: Cheap but sensitive to moisture.
• Working: Saw along the grain, pre-drill and mind moisture content; wood “moves” with humidity.
• Sustainability: Look for the FSC or PEFC label (holz-leimen-und-verbinden).