Walk into the lumber aisle for the first time and you will find dozens of options with confusing names. The good news is that a beginner only needs to know a handful of materials well. This guide covers what each one is good for, what it costs relative to the others and how to pick good boards from the rack.
Softwood vs hardwood
The names describe the type of tree, not how hard the wood feels. Softwoods come from conifers such as pine, fir and cedar. Hardwoods come from broadleaf trees such as oak, maple, cherry and walnut. Most softwoods are softer and cheaper, but there are exceptions: poplar is a hardwood that is fairly soft and easy to work.
The common choices
| Wood | Good for | Relative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine (common boards) | Shelves, bookcases, benches, practice | Low | Soft, dents easily, has knots. Can look blotchy when stained. |
| Construction lumber (2x4, 2x6) | Workbenches, frames, outdoor builds | Lowest | Often wetter and less straight. Pick boards carefully. |
| Poplar | Painted furniture, trim, drawers | Moderate | Smooth, stable and easy to cut. Often has green or purple streaks, so it is usually painted. |
| Red oak | Furniture, tables | Moderate to high | Strong with pronounced grain. Open pores, so not ideal for cutting boards. |
| Maple (hard maple) | Cutting boards, tables, workbench tops | High | Very hard and closed grain. Dulls blades faster. |
| Cedar | Planters, birdhouses, outdoor furniture | Moderate | Naturally rot resistant, light and fragrant. Soft, so it dents. |
| Plywood | Cabinet backs, shelves, workbench tops | Moderate per square foot | Stable and flat in large sizes. Edges show layers. |
Common vs select boards
Home centers usually sell pine in two grades. Common boards have more knots and defects and cost less. Select or premium boards are clearer and straighter and can cost noticeably more. For painted or rustic projects, carefully chosen common boards are usually fine. For a stained piece where looks matter, select boards or poplar may be worth it.
Plywood basics
- Grades: letters from A (best) to D describe each face. "AC" plywood has one good face and one rough face.
- Hardwood plywood (birch, oak) has a smooth, attractive face for furniture. Construction plywood and OSB are rougher but cheaper for shop furniture.
- Thickness: nominal 3/4" plywood is often 23/32". Measure it.
- Project panels (2 ft x 4 ft) are easier to carry and cut than full 4 ft x 8 ft sheets.
Pressure treated lumber
Pressure treated (PT) lumber is infused with preservatives to resist rot and insects. Use it outdoors, especially for anything touching the ground, and look for a rating that matches the use (for example, "ground contact"). Do not use it indoors for furniture. Wear a dust mask when cutting it and do not burn the scraps. For food gardens, follow your local extension service's guidance or use naturally rot resistant wood such as cedar.
Let lumber acclimate
Wood shrinks and swells with humidity. Boards from an outdoor lumber rack may be wetter than your house. Bring them inside and let them sit, stacked flat with small spacers between, for a few days before you build indoor furniture. This reduces warping and gaps later.
How to pick good boards at the store
- Sight down the length. Hold one end at eye level and look along the edge and face. Skip boards with a bow (curved along the face), a crook (curved along the edge) or a twist (corners not in the same plane).
- Check for cup. Look at the end: a board that curves across its width is cupped.
- Look at knots. Small tight knots are fine. Loose or black knots can fall out. Avoid knots near where you will cut joints or drive screws.
- Check the ends for splits and plan to cut off an inch or two if needed.
- Avoid wane (bark or a rounded missing corner along the edge) on parts that will show.
What to buy for your first projects
- Indoor shelves, bookcases, benches: pine common boards (1x8, 1x10, 1x12).
- Painted furniture: poplar.
- Cutting boards: maple, cherry or walnut.
- Planters and birdhouses: cedar.
- Workbench: 2x4 construction lumber with a plywood top.
Every project in our free PDF lists the exact boards to buy, by nominal size and length.