I INTHODUCTIDN Since the first settlers cleared the land and built log cabins, American families have been surrounded by . is an important part of the roof over our heads, the walls around us, the floors under our feet, and the furniture that provides for our comfort. Wood will continue to be used for home interiors be­ cause of its warmth, comfort, and beauty. A knowledge of woods, their characteristics and limitations, and an ability to recognize them can be both profitable and satisfying. II CHARACTERISTICS Of WOOD A. - Woods are divided into two general classes, soft­ woods and hardwoods. Softwoods come from conifers, the cone-bearing trees, such as , , cedar, , and hemlock. The hardwoods are deciduous; some trees shed their leaves annually. Among the hardwoods are ash, , , , , cherry, , and walnut. The terms hard and softwoods can be misleading, as some "hardwoods" are actually softer than some "softwoods." Oak is one of the most durable woods used in homes for finish work, trim, and furniture. Oak's dura­ bility makes it highly desirable for and furni­ ture that must withstand heavy use. Other less expen­ sive woods such as pine and fir are used where strength is relatively less important.

3 B. Wood Colors and Porosity moisture. In summer when humidity is high, moisture Woods may be identified by observing three char­ content in woods may increase to 10 to 12 percent. acteristics-color, porosity, and density (degree of Though protective coatings of , , or hardness). Woods having open pores or coarse grain, enamel retard the moisture absorption rate of woods such as , oak, ash, , and walnut finishes do not reduce the amount absorbed over ~ appear to have fine thumbnail dents running with the long period of time. Warping occurs when finishes lengthwise grain. Of the open-grained woods, walnut are applied only to one side of a wood surface because has the finest grain; oak has the coarsest. the unfinished side absorbs moisture more readily. Among the close- or fine-grained woods are cherry, One Yery common reaction of wood to moisture oc­ maple, ,. beech, redwood, gum, poplar, pine, fir, curs when doors and drawers are swollen with mois­ and syca~ore. The close-grained woods need only be ture. They tend to stick and are difficult to close. smoothe.d by sanding before protective coatings are applied. Before finishing, the pores of coarse woods D. Patterns and Figures in Wood can be closed by application of a paste/wood filler made of ground quartz, linseed oil or varnish, and Wood from the same tree varies considerably in paint drier. When the open-grained appearance is pattern depending on its location in the tree and the desired, no filler is applied. way it is cut. Design develops as the tree grows. Redwood and some are reddish­ Crotch wood, taken from the fork, has a pattern of orange. Beech, birch, and maple are all light yellow. figures and circles. Burls-gnarled, wart-like growths Red oak has a decidedly pink or reddish cast. Some on the trunk-yield bizarre patterns. Maple sometimes woods vary in color in a single plank. As the tree ages, has bird's-eye spots and markings resembling bird's color deepens at the heart in cherry, walnut, and red­ eyes. Butt figure, an elusive pattern of light and dark, wood, while the outer wood remains considerably is found in the base of walnut trees just above ground. lighter. Birch may have streaks of dark brown. Eastern Some woods have distinct annual growth rings that cedar is sometimes streaked with white. Although yield a variety of designs when cut by different color variation is an inherent characteristic of wood, methods. Rotary slicing results in thin rolls of wood some people prefer evenly colored wood for furniture. obtained by mounting the log lengthwise in a mill lathe and turning it against the blade. In quarter slic­ C. Reaction to Moisture ing a log is cut into pie-shaped wedges, then cut Woods respond to variations in weather, expanding across the growth rings. In plain or flat slicing, length­ with moisture and contracting with dryness. In heated wise cuts are made through the log, from one side to buildings, woods may have as low as 5 to 6 percent the other.

Finish...... Warping ... Unfinished

4 cross-band and horizontal veneer on the bottom. These Ill FURNITURE WOODS plies and core, glued with moisture-resisting glues, are bonded by heat and pressure. Cross-banding controls A. Kinds moisture-caused expansion of veneers. Manufacturers Maple, walnut, cherry, mahogany, pecan, , and prefer veneer to solid wood hecansc veneer defies are the most prized woods for furniture. warping in any direction. There is little or no differ­ Oak and pine are commonly used but are less luxuri­ ence in the overall production and marketing costs of ous. Historically, certain woods have held first place, solids and veneers, and both types occupy the same only to be replaced by others as fashions and tastes price brackets. Veneers have the advantage of more change. Walnut is widely used in contemporary furni­ grain interest in matched face veneers cut from various ture. Craftsmen from Scandinavia use teak extensively. scarce or exotic woods. Veneer's greatest contribution Hosewood, popular during the Victorian era, is now to us is to make the rarest woods cheap enough for used in modern styles. Maple and birch, often used anybody. in French provincial styles, are usually finished a light Solid wood furniture is made of one piece of wood tan and called fruitwood. Oak has recently heen en­ without plies of veneer. Solid wood can be carved joying a return to popularity. Mahogany has been very with ease and, when worn clown by use, can he planed, popular since its use by the famous furniture maker, sanded, and refinished without peeling. If worn or Chippendale. Bleached mahogany was the most popu­ damaged, solid wood does not change in appearance, lar wood used for modern furniture about 15 years grain, or figure. ago. Maple is now used extensively in early American style furniture. Cherry woods are used in medium­ and high-priced furniture. IV WOODS FOH FLOORS B. Solid Versus Veneer Oak and maple are the most common hardwoods Though many people today prefer solid wood used for flooring. , western , and south­ furniture, most furniture is veneered. The develop­ ern pine are softwoods often used for flooring. Most ment of better glues has eliminated the possibility of lumberyards stock at least one and two veneers peeling in humid weather. Veneered furniture hardwoods. Tongue and and end-matched has tops, fronts, end panels, and headboards made hardwood flooring is commonly furnished. ­ from and core. Veneered furni­ edged and square-end strip flooring is also available, ture usually has a five-ply construction of a center as well as parquetry flooring suitable for laying on a core, with cross-band and face veneer on top, and mastic base on an ordinary subfloor.

Matching Veneers

Herringbone

Chippendale

Four·way

5 Vertical grain ( qqarter-sawed) flooring shrinks and swells less than flat grain (plain-sawed) flooring, wears VP UNG evenly, is more uniform in texture, and remains closed at the joints. The silver or flaked grain of quarter­ . Homeowners often_ cho~se natu~·al wood paneling sawed flooriug is usually preferred to the figure of for walls. \Vood panelmg grves ordmary rooms an air plain-sawed material. You should carefully consider of warmth, and natural wood is easy to maintain. the advantages and disadvantages of various types of paneling, available in 4- by 8-foot and 2- wood when you want special decorating effects. Beech, by 8-foot sheets and other sizes on order, can be in­ birch, mahogany, and walnut may he used as stalled by homeowners for from $100 to $175 a room to attain unusual decorating effects. Today many floor­ Cost of plywood paneling varies from 20 to 60 cent~ ings are prefinished. per square foot. Hegularity in plywood veneer panel­ ing cannot be matched in solid paneling. Flawless B. Flooring Grades solid boards in amounts and lengths needed for panel~ Oak flooring, quarter-sawed, has three grades-clear, ing an entire room are difficult to find, and it is even sap clear, and select. Plain-sawed flooring has four more difficult to match large quantities of wood in grades: clear, select, number 1 common, and number color and figure. Panel boards need not be flawless. 2 common. Knotty pine, pecky fir, streaks in birch, and wormy Softwood flooring is usually available in B and better chestnut all have surface interest. grade, C select, or D select. Plywood paneling comes unfinished or finished Maple flooring is sold under first, second, and third and most dealers stock a variety so you can choos~ grades. from birch, mahogany, walnut, oak, or cherry. Unusual Grade specifications for flooring are useful guides and exotic woods can be custom ordered from all over the world-teak from Burma and Thailand, korina and when selecting various types of wood because these mahogany from Africa, and Brazilian mahogany and specifications state allowable imperfections in color rosewood from South America. and grain and indicate service expected. Some cloth-backed veneers can be used around C. Plywood Flooring curves or wrapped around pillars. Plywood and other wood products such as fiber­ hoard and pressed hoard are often used for floors VI fACT CHAHIS under wall-to-wall carpet. These materials are also The charts on the following pages list alpha­ used as an underlayment for smooth surface, resilient betically the most cOmmonly used woods, with their flooring materials in new homes and over old uneven origin, common uses, color, grain, density, and other floors. distinguishing characteristics.

6 A. FACTS AHOUT NATIVE WOODS USED IN HOMES

Type Origin Uses Color, grain, density Other characteristics Ash (white) United States Upholstered furniture Hard; prominent, coarse Strong, straight grain; stiff, shock resistant; frames, interior trim. grain; light brown. moderate weight; retains shape, wears well; easily worked.

Beech Eastern Flooring, chairs, Hard; fine-grained; color Heavy, strong; has uniform texture; resists United States drawer interiors. varies from pale brown to abrasion and shock; medium luster. deep reddish-brown.

Birch Eastern United Cabinet wood, flooring, ply­ Hard; fine grain; light tan Yellow is most abundant and important com­ (yellow, sweet) States, Northeastern wood paneling, e:..-posed to reddish-brown. mercially; has white sapwood and reddish­ United States, and parts and frames of furni­ brown heartwood; heavy, stiff, strong; good Lake States ture. shock resistance, uniform texture; takes natural finish well; satiny in appearance.

Butternut Eastern United States, Paneling, carving, Pale brown; soft; Relatively scarce; available in plywood only; Deep South decorative veneers. open grain. low strength; related to walnut botanically and sometimes called white walnut.

Cedar Pacific coast, Paneling, furniture; Fine grain; soft; Alaskan: bright, Brittle, lightweight; easily worked; weak, low (Alaska, western Northwest, red cedar used for chests light yellow; red: reddish-brown shrinkage; high resistance to decay; strong, red, white) Lake States, and closet lining. with white sapwood; white; light aromatic. and J'l ortheastern with light brown heartwood. United States

Cherry Eastern and Paneling, furniture. Moderately hard; light to Strong, stiff, heavy; high resistance to shock (black, wild) Northern dark reddish-brown; fine­ and denting; not easily worked; high luster. United States grained; darkens with age.

Chestnut Southern Veneer panels, furniture, Has large distinct pores; Weak, moderately lightweight; scarce; blight Appalachians picture frames. hard; light brown. is exterminating this wood. Some like the wormy appearance of this wood.

Cypress Southeastern Paneling, doors, sash, Color varies from yellowish­ :\loderately light and strong; heartwood highly United States siding. brown to almost black; hard, decay resistant; pecky cypress pock-marked bv fine-grained. fungus decay. -

Elm North Central Plywood panelin.g, curved Hard; open grain; light Hea\'y, strong, great shock resistance; pliable, (rock) United States frames, upholstered furni­ brown. and screw holding ability; \vavy surface ture frames, exposed parts finishes well. of low-priced furniture.

Fir Idaho, Small home construction. Soft, close, straight-grained; Low strength; nonresinous; easily worked; low (white) California white with reddish tinge. decay resistance.

Fir West Coast­ Flooring, doors, plywood, Light tan; moderately hard; :\lost plentiful wood in the United States; used (Douglas) Washington, low-priced interior and ex­ close-grained. mostly for building and structural purposes; Oregon, terior trim. strong, moderately heavy. California Type Origin Uses Color, grain, density Other characteristics Gum South Plywood, interior trim, furn­ Heartwood (red gum) is light Moderately heavy; strong, uniform texture; (red, sap) iture lets, posts, stretchers, to deep reddish-brown; sap­ takes finish well; frequently finished in imita­ frames, supports-frequently wood (sapgum) nearly white; tion of other woods; in 1928 it was the most­ used in combination with moderately hard, fine­ used furniture wood in this country. other woods. grained.

Maple United States, Great Interior trim, furniture, floors One of America's hardest Heavy, strong, stiff; good shock resistance; (sugar, black) Lakes, Northeast, in homes, dance halls, bowl­ woods; heartwood, reddish­ great resistance to wear, one of the Appalachians ing alleys. brown; sapwood, white; usu­ most substantial cabinet woods; curly maple ally fine, straight-grained; prized for fiddle backs. sometimes curly, wavy, or bird's eye grain occurs.

Oak Eastern United States, Flooring, interior trim, furni­ Hard, pronounced open Moderately heavy, stiff, strong, resilient, tough; (red, white) Mainly Mississippi ture, plywood for cabinet grain; rich golden color to comparatively easy to work with ; takes Valley and South work, paneling. light reddish-brown. many finishes.

Pine United States Solid construction in inex­ Soft; pale yellow to white in Uniform texture and straight grain; lightweight, (white, pensive furniture, sash, color; straight, fine-grained; low strength, easily worked; has moderately ponderosa) frames, and knotty paneling. darkens with age. small shrinkage, polishes well; warps or swells little.

Poplar Eastern Interior trim, siding, furni­ Sapwood, white; hardwood, Lightweight, moderately weak, does not split (yellow) United States ture, panels, plywood cores. yellowish-brown tinged with readily when nailed; easily worked, easy to green; soft; straight, fine glue; stays in place well, holds paint and grain. enamel well; finishes smoothly.

Redwood vVest Coast Sash, doors, frames, siding, Heartwood, cherry to dark Moderately lightweight, moderately strong; interior and exterior finish, brown; sapwood, almost great resistance to decay; low shrinkage; easy paneling. white; close, straight grain. to work, stays in place well; holds paint well.

Sycamore Eastern half of Interior trim, fancy panel­ Light to reddish-brown; Moderately heavy, strong; rays are conspicuous Unjted States ing, furniture. hard, close interlocked when quarter-sawed; seasoning without warp­ grain. ing difficult.

Walnut Central Furniture, paneling, cabinet Light to dark chocolate­ Strong; resists shock and denting, easily worked; (black) United States work, interior. brown; hard; moderately takes stain and finishes exceedingly well; heavy, prominent, straight grain; stiff; is stable in use; one of most beautiful sapwood is nearly white. native woods; finishes with luminous under­ glow. 8. fACTS UT IMPORTED WOODS USED IN HOMES

Type Origin Uses Color, grain, density Other characteristics East Indies, Veneer paneling, furniture, Black background streaked Extremely hard tropical wood; has heavy oil (Macassar) India, Ceylon inlays, overlays, piano keys with gray, brown, orange, content that makes finishing difficult, prevents -is one of the oldest cabi­ and yellow. perfect bluing, causes checks to appear in net woods. veneer; logs are very defective, slicing shatters fibers, must be sawed. ~vfahogany \Vest Coast of Furniture-solid and veneer Light pink through bright lviellow richness increases with age; strong, (Africa-) Africa -paneling, decorative in­ red to reddish-brown; me­ durable, unusual beauty, does not warp easily; lays. dium hard, straight, open easy to work, takes stain well; trees grow 100'- grain, ribbon striped be­ 150' tall and 8'-10' in diameter and yield cause bulk of logs are lumber of unusual lengths and widths. quarter-sawed; has beautiful crotch figure. :\Iahogany North and South Furniture, paneling, grand Slightly coarse, small pores, Great differences in quality and general char­ (true-Honduras) America, \Vest Indies, pianos. straight grain, beautifully acteristics, some heavy, some moderately light; Mexico, Central figured, some hard, some has sheen and depth, enhanced by time. America (finest true soft. mahogany grows in Mahogany Paneling, furniture, interior Medium dark reddish-brown Prone to fade under bright light; not a true San Domingo, Cuba, (Philippine) doors and trim. and light yello\vish-red; mahogany; less prized and cheaper than others. Philippine Islands, open pores, moderately soft. Mexico, and Primavera Guatemala) Veneer, furniture. Resembles mahogany in Like mahogany in weight. (white mahogany) grain; creamy yellow color, hard. Rosewood Brazil, Bombay Veneers, cabinet woods, fur­ Hard, straight-grained; Heavy, tropical wood; richly streaked and (Brazil-East niture, pianos, decorative varies in color from brown­ grained, extensively used during Victorian era. India) veneers used in borders, in­ ish yellow to reddish-purple Smooth satiny sheen, strong, stiff, freshly cut lays, overlays, and parque­ with black growth lines; wood gives off strong rose scent; usually try. highly porous. quarter-sawed to show prominent lines. Satinwood Ceylon, Veneer work in furniture, Yellowish;· close, fine grain; Durable, usually- cut on the quarter to bring Puerto Rico popular in French fu_rniture, hard, dense; looks like out the "ribbon" stripe, expensive; srriooth, Sheraton used it in furniture. molten gold. even surface is satiny and lustrous, possessing great "fire"; called the king of the cabinet woods, is translucent, enhanced by age; some logs have ''beeswing" mottle; very oily and sandings from it are as poisonous as poison ivy. Teak wood Burma, India, Scandinavian craftsmen use Straw yellow to tobacco ~Ioderately heavy; easily worked, shrinks, Java, Malay it for furniture, paneling, in­ brown, hard, striped or swells, and warps little; resistant to termites; Peninsula terior trim; sailors like it for mottled pattern. contains resin or oil which retards decay; logs boat decks. must dry 3 years before they will ; most are crooked and irregular; strong, tough, silky appearance; large, splashy block mottle or fiddle back figure; rich, mellow; 100% non­ skid surface. Zebra wood \Vest Africa Favored wood for inlays, Hard, creamy ground witl1 Pock and cross breaks appear in logs causing veneers, bandings, furniture. distinct stripings of dark great waste; prominent stripes are used to reddish-brown; open grain. produce geometric patterns. C. WOODS FOR INTERIOR PANELING

Type Sizes available Characteristics Cost/square foot Care. Solid wood 1", Vz", %"thick, Softwoods and hardwoods, unfinished or pre­ 22 cents to $1.75, %" to Warm water, mild soap or 3" to 12" wide, 8' finished; variety of patterns and woods; not for o/s" panels of unfinished soft­ detergent; dry. lengths use exposed to water or heavy moisture. wood; up to $1.75 for pre­ finished hardwood.

Plywood ~4" thick is standard; ~lastly prefinished face veneer, available in From 24 to 80 cents; some Wipe with damp cloth. May veneers 7/s" thick, 4' x 8', many woods, textured surfaces, dimensionally patterns and exotic panels use wax. 4' x 7', 2¥2' x 8', and stable, permanent glue bond; some have new from 70 cents to $1.75. Most can order 9' and 10' durable plastic finish; some have lacquer finish; hu.:urious cost up to $3.00. not for use in shower stall.

'Vood-grained %" thick, 4' x 7', Photo-processed wood-grained finish on core From 22 to 33 cents. Wipe with.damp cloth. 4' X 8'; 9', 10', 12' of wood fibers reconstituted under heat and lengths cost more. pressure; dense; rugged; coated with synthetic lacquer; high resistance to scuffs, scratches, household stains; comes in walnut, cherry, teak, elm, oak, pecan; not for use in bathrooms.

Plastic '14" thick, 16" x 8', ~lodified melamine-resin finish baked on hard­ From 35 to 55 cents. Difficult to soil; wipe with surfaced 4' x 8' ungrooved board panel; tough surface resistance to stains damp cloth. wood-grained and wear; popular wood-grained patterns; not hardboard for use in shower stalls; resistant to boiling water and alcohol.

Gypsum board %" standard thickness; Wood-grain printed paper applied to face of Solid faced panels, 10 to Wipe with damp cloth. Vz" available; popular gypsum board and coated with synthetic lac­ 17 cents; grooved, 12 to 20 size 4' x 8', some are quer or vinyl; solid face or grooved; available cents; vinyl coated, 17 to 6', 7', 9', and 10' feet in popular species imitations; for installation 23 cents. in length. where moisture is not a problem.

Plastic 1/16" gage; 1/36" for Tough; withstands 275° heat; resistant to ordi­ 1/16" material $1.60 to Needs little if any care. laminate walls 4' x 8', 4' x 10'. nary solvents, alcohol, boiling water; good for $1.70; 1/36" 55 to 65 cents. walls in heavy traffic areas; satisfactory for New solid panels run from shower areas; popular woods and patterns avail­ 60 cents to $1.25 depending able. on thickness and quality. You are surrourlded by wood in many <~hapes and fol'ms. Because wood re· sists a,ging, it has se:rved many generations as furniture, paneling,. flooring, and shelter. 1

\ The pUl pose of this bulletin is to stimulate your interest in wood and to help you,_ see and en~oy We beauty of it. \,. '