There are a number of factors to consider when choosing wood for a joinery project. Whilst you may have a great-looking design, if your wooden materials are not suitable to hold the designs’ structure, you may experience issues in the future which could result in your design becoming damaged or broken.
Although this is important in any joinery project, choosing the correct type of wooden material is vital for commercial joinery projects.
Industries such as hospitality, retail, and education all typically use wood in their designs, whether this be structurally or for decoration. Whatever the use may be, it is essential that a suitable wood option is chosen that can withstand high volumes of interaction every day.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the key factors you need to consider when deciding on your wood choice for your joinery project, and what type of wood could be suitable for your joinery needs.
1. Wood Density
The density of your wood choice will arguably be the most important choice for your joinery project, and as already mentioned, your choice will be dependent on the type of project you are looking to complete. Generally, wood is classified as being hardwood or softwood.
Hardwood
Hardwood is an extremely low maintenance type of wood and is reasonably easy to keep clean. Any scratches or indentations are also easy to fix, making the appearance of hardwood easy to upkeep and remain presentable.
Due to its density, hardwood material also deals with extreme weather conditions very well, and if treated correctly, can withstand harsh elements for long periods of time without the worry of deterioration.
Likewise, the density of hardwood makes it ideal for holding heavy loads and supporting large structures. When designing for industries such as hospitality and retail, hardwood is a great option for creating robust shelving to hold products or other design accessories such as bar tops and shop counters, as its density will allow these features to last for many years. However, when it comes to sourcing hardwood, this can be difficult due to the slow rate at which hardwood tress grow, which can sometimes put it at a premium price.
Softwood
On the other hand, softwood is significantly less dense, making it easier to work with and manipulate to achieve your desired design. Not only this, but it is a much more sustainable wood option for your joinery project too, as softwood trees grow at a much faster rate than hardwood. Since this wood is easier to source, it is also a more inexpensive purchase than hardwood.
But, where this low density can be helpful, it can also be a downside for your project as well, as softwood is weaker and less durable than hardwood unless it is treated properly. As a result, softwood is better used for small design features such as wall panelling, or for creating wooden furniture such as table seats, or reception desks.
2. Wood Grain
There are two types of wood grain that you can choose from, open grain and closed grain. When it comes to deciding what type of wood grain would be best for your joinery project, it is more about the visual appearance over other wood characteristics.
Typically, an open grain wood has much larger, visible pores. Wood pores are the trees vessels that give it the traditional appearance we all know. In open grain wood, these vessels can be seen from far away, and can give your joinery design an individual and rustic look.
Industrial style décor for bars and restaurants has become extremely popular throughout this year, and a key design feature to achieve this look has been dark, open grain wood which helps to create a more natural, rugged look in the space.
Closed grain wood is also another great option simply due to its low maintenance. Because of its lack of vessels, closed grain wood will require less care to keep it looking presentable.
Additionally, if you wish to paint your wood to match business branding or to fit with a certain colour scheme, closed grain wood requires less coats of paint. Overall, this will help to give your project a smoother and polished look to your final design.
3. Wood Type
Once you have identified the characteristics you need your wood to possess, you can then choose the type of wood you would like to use in your joinery project. Different types of wood can vary in popularity, and can range between hardwood and softwood types.
Oak
Oak is the most common type of hardwood seen in most commercial joinery projects, and therefore is an extremely popular option. Its natural appearance and ability to stain easily allows it to fit seamlessly into any design aesthetic, and its and durable quality makes it the perfect choice for simple furniture such as desks and tables, or shelving for your home.
Maple
Unlike oak, maple is a closed grain hardwood which makes is easy to sand and smooth down to your desired requirements. Its high density also makes it a great choice for heavy-use furniture such as bar tops or retail counters which ideally require a long lifecycle.
Cherry
Cherry wood is dark and deep in colour and is typically associated with office furniture. As a result, this makes it an attractive option for education and business spaces. Similarly to maple, cherry wood has a closed grain pattern that takes very well to different dyes and stains.
Pine
Pine wood is an incredibly common softwood found in a lot of joinery designs, usually found when designing panelling, flooring, and roofing. Although pine is a softwood with an open grain design, it is actually reasonably long lasting if cared for correctly.
Cedar
Cedar is also a great softwood choice if any of your joinery work will be used outdoors as it is highly resilient to harsh elements. The woods colouring with its warm, red tones also make this type of wood a great colour statement in any outdoor environment. Cedar can be a great choice for outside furniture, potentially for use in garden centres or outside eating areas where customers can enjoy the sun and natural surroundings.
Come and talk to our team about your commercial joinery project!
If you’d like to speak to one of our team about incorporating joinery aspects into your existing or new commercial space, please call us on 0113 253 7307, or drop us a message here: https://www.gralyn-joinery.co.uk/contact-us/.
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