Wood Species Guide: Choosing the Best Wood for Solid Wood Furniture
Wood Species Guide: Choosing the Best Wood for Solid Wood Furniture
Almost all of the furniture at Country Charm Mennonite Furniture can be built in your choice of wood species.
That means the dining table, bedroom suite, desk, or cabinet you fall in love with isn’t limited to the wood shown in the photo. Instead, it can be crafted in the wood that best suits your home, your style, and how you live.
Oak. Brown Maple. Cherry. Hard Maple. Black Walnut. Quarter-Sawn White Oak.
Each wood has its own personality — its own colour, grain pattern, strength, and way of aging over time.
For more than three decades, Country Charm Mennonite Furniture has worked directly with Amish and Mennonite craftsmen to bring authentic solid wood furniture to Canadian homes.
These craftsmen carefully build each piece from solid hardwood using traditional woodworking techniques designed to last for generations.
No veneers.
No particle board.
Just solid wood furniture built for real homes.
Why Wood Species Matters
Choosing the right wood species affects much more than appearance.
The wood you select influences:
• colour and tone
• grain pattern
• durability and hardness
• how stain absorbs
• how the piece ages over time
Because almost all of our furniture can be built in your choice of wood species, stain colour, and hardware, the same design can take on an entirely different personality depending on the materials you choose.
Solid Wood vs Mass-Produced Furniture
Much of today’s mass-produced furniture is made using veneers, MDF, or particle board.
Solid hardwood furniture is different.
It can be refinished, repaired, and restored over time. Instead of wearing out, it develops character.
Properly built solid wood furniture also adapts naturally to seasonal humidity changes, allowing the wood to move slightly while remaining structurally strong for decades.
That is why Amish and Mennonite craftsmen continue to build furniture using traditional joinery and carefully selected hardwoods.
Understanding Wood Hardness (The Janka Scale)
When comparing wood species, you may hear the term Janka hardness rating.
The Janka scale measures how resistant a wood is to dents and everyday wear. The higher the number, the harder the wood.
All of the hardwoods used in our furniture are durable enough for everyday life. However, the Janka scale can help you choose the best wood for your household.
Families with busy kitchens, children, or frequent entertaining may prefer a harder wood, while others may choose a species primarily for its beauty and character.
Hardwood Comparison Guide
| Wood Species | Janka Hardness | Relative Hardness | Grain Character | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Oak | 1,290 | ███████████████ | Bold open grain | Farmhouse and traditional furniture |
| White Oak | 1,360 | ████████████████ | Tight straight grain | Transitional and contemporary designs |
| Quarter-Sawn White Oak | 1,360 | ████████████████ | Dramatic ray fleck pattern | Mission and craftsman furniture |
| Brown Maple | 950 | ██████████ | Smooth subtle grain | Contemporary styles and versatile finishes |
| Cherry | 950 | ██████████ | Fine elegant grain | Heirloom furniture and formal dining |
| Hard Maple | 1,450 | █████████████████ | Dense smooth grain | Busy family dining tables |
| Black Walnut | 1,010 | ███████████ | Rich dramatic grain | Statement furniture pieces |
All of these hardwoods are strong and well suited for furniture. The best choice depends on the look you love and how your furniture will be used in everyday life.
Why Quarter-Sawn White Oak Is Different
White Oak and Quarter-Sawn White Oak come from the same species of tree, but the boards are cut differently.
In standard lumber cutting (called plain sawn), boards are cut across the log to maximize yield.
Quarter-sawing rotates the log and cuts it at a different angle. This reveals the wood’s natural medullary rays, creating the distinctive fleck pattern that mission furniture is famous for.
Quarter-sawn lumber is also valued for its stability. Because of the way the boards are cut, the wood tends to expand and contract less across its width.
For many people who appreciate traditional craftsmanship, Quarter-Sawn White Oak is one of the most beautiful and historically significant woods used in furniture.
How Wood Hardness Affects Stain Colour
The hardness of a wood species does more than influence durability. It also affects how the wood absorbs stain.
Harder woods tend to have tighter grain structures, while softer hardwoods often have more open grain. Because of this, stain penetrates each species differently.
This means the same stain colour can look very different depending on the wood species used.
For example:
• Red Oak absorbs stain readily and produces strong grain contrast.
• White Oak absorbs stain more evenly because of its tighter grain.
• Brown Maple and Cherry often produce smooth, consistent finishes.
• Hard Maple, being extremely dense, can sometimes appear lighter because it absorbs stain more slowly.
• Black Walnut is naturally dark, so finishes are typically designed to enhance the wood’s natural colour rather than dramatically change it.
Because most of our furniture can be built in your choice of wood species, stain colour, and hardware, the same design can take on an entirely different character depending on the materials you choose.
Explore available colours on our Finishing Options page.
Which Wood Is Best for Everyday Family Life?
One of the most common questions customers ask is:
“Which wood is best if we have kids?”
The answer depends on your priorities.
If durability is your main concern, Hard Maple is one of the hardest domestic hardwoods and stands up well to everyday use.
If you prefer a wood that hides wear naturally, Oak can be an excellent choice because its pronounced grain helps disguise small dents or scratches.
For customers who value elegance and natural beauty, Cherry and Black Walnut offer rich character and warmth that deepens over time.
There is no single “best” wood — only the wood that best suits your home and the way you live.
Crafted by Skilled Amish and Mennonite Builders
At Country Charm Mennonite Furniture, the pieces you see in our showroom are handcrafted by skilled Amish and Mennonite builders who have spent their lives mastering the art of woodworking.
For more than 30 years we have worked directly with many of these craftsmen, building trusted relationships rooted in craftsmanship, integrity, and a shared commitment to doing things the right way.
While many of our builders are located here in Ontario, others work in established Amish woodworking communities in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Together they share the same dedication to solid wood construction, careful finishing, and furniture designed to last for generations.
Built for Canadian Homes
Although the craftsmanship behind our furniture spans several woodworking communities, the homes we serve are here in Canada.
Our collections are chosen with Canadian lifestyles in mind — durable dining tables for busy families, comfortable bedroom suites, and timeless furniture designed to last.
Explore Solid Wood Furniture
Understanding wood species is the first step in choosing furniture that will serve your home for many years to come.
Browse our collection of handcrafted furniture or visit our showroom in Owen Sound, Ontario to explore wood samples and experience the craftsmanship in person.
Country Charm Mennonite Furniture
Rooted in wood. Refined for living.