Birchwood Vs. Maple Furniture

Maple and birch both have valuable natural qualities, which can make choosing between them more than a matter of price alone.

Birch and maple are both hardwoods with uneven densities that may cause any applied liquid stain to blotch. Both are similarly ideal for crafting furniture, and have been incorporated into many styles and types of furniture.

Birch

The wood grain in birch is usually highly attractive, and the natural, yellow color of the wood has a unique luster that few craftsmen stain over. The wood is heavy for a hardwood, and strong.

Maple

Maple is hard and durable, and usually straight-grained. Resistant to shock and scratching, maple woods usually make sturdy, long-lasting furniture. Maple is usually cheaper than birch, as the timber takes less time to grow to a marketable height.

Furniture

The type of furniture to be made will often determine the wood used. Maple is usually cheaper, and therefore most often used by those wanting to stain their woods a particular color. Birch has a unique beauty that most desire for natural-looking furniture. Maple is more often used for outdoor furniture.

Alternatives

Alternatives to maple and birch include oak, cherry, and walnut. Oak is very resistant to moisture and hard, usually makes longlasting outdoor funiture, but can be expensive. Cherry was often used in colonial furniture, and resists warping. Walnut is a light wood that holds stains and paints better than most hardwoods.

Considerations

If the wood is to be stained, maple is usually seen as the best alternative of the two. Gel stains can be used to prevent blotching. Depending on location, season, and desired function of the furniture, other alternatives might offer a significant savings on investment.

References

• Clarner Woodworks