Multicolored types of wood planks.

In our last blog, we talked about the various barn wood kits that we offer. We mentioned a few different wood species we use, but that got us to thinking - do you really know what those differences are? We’re going to break down all species that we use and the unique qualities of each kind. 


The type of wood you choose makes a huge difference in the beauty and overall strength of your project. That’s why we recommend different species for various projects. Let’s check them out.


Pine

Pine is a low-cost and lightweight wood, with a generally light yellow or white tone. Oftentimes, you will find brown knots in this species. Due to the gorgeous color, pinewood is used in many carpentry pieces, such as furniture, window frames, and floors. Pine is a softwood, which makes it more prone to scratches and dents. Because of this, it’s extremely important to take proper care of this wood. Check out some tips on how to do so. 


Oak

Oak is very widely used due to its wide range of colors. There are two subspecies of oak: red and white. Red oak can range from a light brown color to an almost pink-red, and generally has a swirling pattern to it. White oak, on the other hand, is a striped grain with lighter flecks throughout. Unlike pinewood, oak is very durable, as it is a hardwood. Since it is so durable, you will find oak used as a flooring wood very often. 


Cherry 

Much like oak, cherry is a very durable hardwood. Cherry can range from a deep red-brown to a lighter white-yellow color. Generally, it will be a bit darker in nature. You can stain cherry wood or keep it unstained, both resulting in a rich and lovely color. The color can darken with age, which some people may see as a drawback - but we think it adds character throughout the years. Due to its rich color, cherry often used in cabinetry, fine furniture, and flooring. 


Walnut

One of the great things about walnut is the range in color depending on where it’s cut from. If the wood you’re using is from the center of the tree it will be a dark chocolate brown, but if you pull from the outer portion it will be more of a yellow color. A single piece of wood can fade between the two colors depending on when and where it was actually cut. Walnut is a very durable and strong species and can be used for many different projects. 


Poplar

Another generally light wood, poplar, has a light cream to yellowish brown range. Poplar wood generally darkens when exposed to light, and can even get gray or green streaks. Poplar is a softwood species, which makes it very easy to work with; however, like pine, it must be thoroughly taken care of. Due to its inexpensive nature, poplar wood is used for a variety of reasons and projects. 


Maple

Maple is one of the hardest wood species available, so it is often used for heavy-duty and heavily used items. While maple is generally a creamy white color, it can sometimes have a red tint to it. Maple is widely considered one of the most affordable species and it takes well to many stains, allowing it to mimic a darker and more expensive wood. Due to this, it is used for a wide variety of projects ranging in size and scope. 


The Perfect Combination

Now, these are just a few of the many species of wood we use in our Vintage Harvest barn wood kits, but they are the most common. Almost all of these species will be present in our original reclaimed wood kit, and many are included in our other kits as well. The kits we send are all handpicked, providing the perfect combination of wood species and colors. Make sure you tag us in your photos when you receive each and every box!