Oak

Is a very hard wood and the most commonly used wood for ready-to-finish furniture. It is open-pored, and has a very detailed grain. It is available in red and white varieties. Red oak, which is the more popular of the two, has a pinkish cast. White oak has a slightly greenish cast and tends to cost less to purchase, but is every bit as durable.

Eucalyptus

Is used to construct our "teak-like" outdoor furniture. It is a plantation-grown hardwood that has properties quite similar to teak, but  is stronger, heavier, and less expensive. It is stained a reddish-brown color. To maintain the color, a periodic application of teak oil is suggested.

Pine
Is a soft wood that comes in many varieties from various parts of the world. In the U.S., Eastern white pine, ponderosa pine, and sugar pine are some of the varieties used to make furniture. All have yellow coloring with brown tones and are excellent for staining. With some stains, a sealer helps prepare the wood for a more even look.

Beech

Grows primarily in the Northeast and Canada. It is a cream-colored hardwood, often confused with maple, due to its similar characteristics. It is most commonly used to make chairs and stools.

Birch
Is a close-pored, flat-grained hardwood, which is prevalent in the Northeast and Canada. It is very light in color, and is commonly used in butcher block tops, chairs, stools and kitchen carts.

Ash
Is one of the hardest woods available for furniture. It is a close-pored, light-colored wood. It is very similar to birch or maple, and has a very detailed wood grain similar to oak. Because of its strength, ash is used to make baseball bats and shovel handles, as well as high quality home furnishings.