Hardwood Examples
Here are some of our most commonly used hardwoods with information about their qualities, uses, care and costs.
Gathering Moss can make furniture in any wood of your choice. For information about timbers other than those listed below, contact us.
NB The wood samples here may look different over the web - when making your final choice, please speak to our Furniture Maker, who can advise you on the different wood possibilities for your specific requirements and budget.
The recommended finish for hardwoods is wax, oil or varnish.
American Black Walnut: Contemporary and fashionable. this wood is rich dark brown to purplish black, mostly straight grained, but with wavy or curly gain occasionally present. In the USA, this is the standard timber for rifle butts and gunstocks. It is extensively used for high-quality furniture, cabinet-making and interior joinery, boat-building, musical instruments, clockcases, turnery and carving.
Ash (European): Hardwood. Cream to pale tan coloured, this wood is tough, flexible and straight grained. The texture is coarse, but even in colour. It is extensively used for cabinet-making and furniture. Sports' ash is valued around the world for sports goods, such as, cricket stumps, gym equipment, hockey sticks.
Oak: The mighty oak, king of wood, is tough and hard. Oak is best for boat building, dock and harbour work, sea defences, railway waggons, ladder rungs, sills, thresholds and for all purposes of exposure in contact with the ground. High-class joinery, coffins, ecclesiastical work such as pews, rood screens, pulpits and carving. Flooring, vehicle body bearers and floors in trucks.