Woods & Stains
We offer a wide variety of domestic hardwoods. Our wood is sustainably harvested locally and has a minimal carbon footprint compared to imported woods. See below for information about the characteristics and hardness of our wood types. Stain samples $10 each
Chart of Woods & Stains
Click here to browse chart
About Janka Hardness Ratings
Woods are ranked according to their Janka Hardness Rating. This is a measure of the force required to embed a 0.444-in. steel ball 0.222-in. into the wood. The higher the Janka score, the harder the species. The hardwoods listed below are listed from softest to hardest. See descriptions for Janka ratings.
About Shrinking & Swelling
Wood is a living material that will react to swings of temperature and humidity. To help prevent problems, we provide customers with a Furniture Care Guide that includes recommended humidity and temperature ranges. To minimize potential problems, read and follow our guidelines.
The Woods
Elm
Unique grain, varying from straight to a lively or wooly, almost herring-bone texture. Depending on your choice of stain, gray elm can really pop with drama — for instance, when stained with Michaels Cherry. Without a stain, elm appears bland, so we don’t recommend it. Janka rating: 830
Brown (Soft) Maple
Sometimes referred to as soft maple. About 25% softer than select hard maple, it takes a stain better than its harder cousin. A frequent choice of people who want a look similar to stained cherry, but without the higher cost. Janka rating: 950
Cherry
Particularly beautiful, fine-grained, naturally orange-brown to mahogany. Sap wood (nearer to the bark) is paler, increasing the wood’s character. Cherry darkens as it ages, as a result of exposure to UV rays (think of the patina as cherry’s suntan). Therefore, for the first few months of a cherry table’s life, we advise customers to avoid leaving anything on top for an extended period, as doing so could result in a light spot. If this happens, however, no worries. Simply remove the item that was blocking the light and the color will soon even out. Janka rating: 950
Walnut
Stunningly beautiful, fine-grained, chocolate-brown, and relatively lightweight. The finest of hardwoods for furniture. We rarely choose to stain walnut, as the wood is naturally rich with color. Our most expensive wood. Janka rating: 1010
Red Oak
Often referred to simply as “oak.” Highly textured, with a wide, open, flowing grain. Run your hand across a finished red oak table and you can feel the grain. Very porous, so takes stain very well. Janka rating: 1290
Quarter-Sawn White Oak
Naturally beige. Due to its porous nature, takes stain very well. Very dense and heavy. Grain has outstanding wavy and ray-flake patterns. Resists rotting and warping, so highly desirable in areas with high humidity. “Quarter-sawn” means the tree’s growth rings are approximately perpendicular to the board's broad face, which is achieved by quartering the log before cutting it into boards. This specialized technique makes it a more expensive wood. Janka rating: 1360
Select Hard Maple
Very hard, dense, fine-grained, and light-colored. Highly valued for furniture and cutting boards. Extremely tight grain inhibits absorption of stains. Best with a clear varnish, allowing the pristine beauty of the wood to shine. As it ages, will slowly deepen in color, from very pale to soft gold. Janka rating: 1450
Hickory
Variegated color patterns run the gamut from near-white to dark brown. A stunning wood that requires a skilled eye and hand, as its wild changes in grain direction are extremely difficult to work with. A very hard wood.
Janka rating: 1820
