There are as many types of wood as there are varieties of trees. In other words, there are many! When you acquire a new piece of furniture, whether you inherit it or someone gives it to you as a gift, identifying its type can be a great help in taking proper care of it, restoring it, making it more easily matched to the rest of your decor or simply learning more about its history. To recognize the type of wood, you have to examine it from different angles. We'll tell you more!

1. The color of the wood and its grain

Each type of wood has a colour that is characteristic of it. Some types have quite similar shades while others have a very distinctive colour. This is therefore not a determining factor in establishing the type of wood in question, especially if the furniture is stained or varnished, but it can be a good first indication to guide you towards the right type of wood.

For example, walnut is generally dark brown while maple is lighter and tends towards white or beige. Cherry has pink undertones that become reddish over time. For its part, and unsurprisingly, the color of white oak is similar to a creamy beige and can sometimes appear gray.

You can also look at the grain patterns and sizes of the wood, which vary greatly depending on the species. Walnut and cherry are particularly fine grained, while ash has a coarser grain.

2. The origin of the wood

Knowing where the piece of wood you're looking at comes from can help you identify its species. For example, sugar maple is found primarily in eastern North America, while teak is native to Southeast Asia. Knowing the region of origin can help you narrow down your possible species options considerably.

Also, keep in mind that geographic characteristics, such as climate, soil, and altitude, influence tree growth and therefore the appearance of the wood. For example, European oak may look slightly different than American oak due to different growing conditions.

At La Fabrique Allwood, the wood we use comes exclusively from North American forests. You can therefore be sure to find only Canadian wood species in our catalogue, such as maple, walnut or Montreal ash .

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3. The texture of the wood

Run your hand over the surface of the piece of furniture or wood you are trying to identify to feel its texture. Some types of wood have a smoother texture than others. For example, maple is generally quite smooth to the touch while white oak has a rougher appearance. Note that if the wood has been polished, you won't really be able to rely on this criterion to conduct your investigation.

4. The smell of wood

Some woods have very characteristic odors that you will probably recognize. They are often used in candles to perfume interiors. For example, the rather pronounced resinous odor of pine is easily recognizable, like that of oak, slightly amber. For its part, walnut gives off a rather spicy scent, particularly when cut.

However, over time, the smell of wood tends to fade and most wood furniture is treated with finishes, such as varnish, lacquer, wax or paint, which can remove its natural smell.

5. Weight

Contrary to what one might think, one cannot really rely on the weight of a piece of furniture to identify its type. In fact, the weight of a piece of furniture also depends on its structure and components, in addition to the type of wood used. A piece of solid wood furniture will be heavier than a piece of furniture made with particle board, even though both may have the same wood species on the surface.

Finally, when in doubt, your best option is still to contact wood specialists such as cabinetmakers to recognize for sure, and at a glance, the essence of a wood! You can also plan a visit to our showroom to discover our samples and compare the wood essences to better understand their differences.