A Guide to Types of Wood Products Used in Construction, Furniture, and Musical Instruments

Types of Wood Products

Wood is one of the most widely used and versatile natural materials. It is made into a diverse range of products that we use every day. Here are some of the main types of manufactured wood products.

Lumber

Lumber is wood that has been processed into beams, planks, boards and other structural building materials. Softwoods like pine, fir and spruce are most commonly used for lumber. The wood is cut and sawn from logs into standard sizes at sawmills. Lumber is a basic material used for:

• Framing in house construction
• Roof trusses and rafters
• Concrete forming
• Scaffolding

Plywood

Plywood is made by gluing and pressing multiple thin layers of wood veneers on top of each other. The grain of each veneer runs perpendicular to the ones beside it. This creates strong, stable sheets for:

• Floors, walls and roofs in building construction
• Furniture panels
• Packing crates
• Concrete forms

Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

OSB is an engineered wood product made by combining wood flakes with wax and resin then forming panels under heat and pressure. It is a substitute for plywood in:

• Wall sheathing
• Flooring underlayment
• Roof decking

Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam)

Glulam is made by bonding layers of dimensional lumber together with durable adhesives. The grain of each layer runs parallel for strength. Glulam beams are used in:

• Heavy timber building frames
• Arches
• Trusses

Wood Pulp

Wood pulp is made by chemically or mechanically separating cellulose fibers from wood chips. The pulp is used to make:

• Paper
• Paperboard
• Tissue
• Cardboard

This overview covers the major types of industrial wood products. Wood is an essential renewable material that will continue to be vital to buildings, packaging and paper goods.

Wood Product Uses

Wood is used to manufacture an enormous range of products that fulfill many important functions in modern society. Here are some of the main uses of industrial wood products.

Construction Materials

Various wood products are used widely in building construction:

• Lumber for framing, trusses and rafters
• Plywood and OSB for sheathing walls, floors and roofs
• Glulam beams as columns or arched supports
• Wood trim for decorative moldings and details

Furniture Making

Wood is the dominant material used in making furniture:

• Solid wood is used for quality hardwood furniture
• Engineered woods make up hidden structural frames
• Plywood and particleboard are used for flat surfaces
• Laminates create decorative veneers

Cabinetry

Kitchen cabinets and other storage systems are built from:

• Solid wood doors and faces
• Plywood side panels and shelves
• Particleboard cores and structural parts

Flooring

Wood floors are constructed using:

• Solid wood planks for hardwood floors
• Plywood subflooring as a base
• Engineered wood with laminate surfaces

This overview shows wood is a versatile material used in nearly every aspect of buildings, interiors and furnishings.

Construction Materials

Many different types of materials are used in building construction. Each material has unique properties and applications that make it suitable for specific uses.

Wood

Wood is a renewable and versatile construction material used for:

• Lumber - sawn wood for framing and structural supports
• Plywood - layered wood sheets for walls, floors and roofs
• Glulam beams - engineered wood beams and arches

Wood's advantages include strength, insulation, ease of working with, and natural aesthetic. Disadvantages are flammability and potential for rot and insect damage.

Concrete

Concrete is an incredibly strong and durable material made from:

• Cement - binds other materials together
• Sand - fine aggregate
• Gravel - coarse aggregate
• Water - hydrates the cement

Concrete is versatile, fire-resistant, and economical. Disadvantages are heaviness and lack of tensile strength.

Steel

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon used for:

• Reinforcing bar - strengthens concrete
• Structural shapes - columns, beams, trusses
• Studs - interior wall framing

Steel has high strength but must be protected from corrosion with coatings.

Masonry

Masonry materials like brick, block, and stone are used for walls and veneers. Advantages are durability, fire resistance, and aesthetics.

Many materials are combined to create safe, efficient, and attractive buildings. Understanding the unique properties of each material is key for their proper use.

Furniture Making

Furniture serves important utilitarian and aesthetic functions in homes and offices. Quality furniture combines artistry, design, and skilled craftsmanship. Many materials and techniques are used to make furniture.

Woodworking

Wood is the dominant material used in furniture. Hardwoods like oak, maple, mahogany and walnut are typically used for fine furniture. Woodworking involves techniques like:

• Cutting - sawing lumber and sheets
• Shaping - lathe turning, routing, sanding
• Joinery - mortise and tenon, dovetails, gluing
• Finishing - staining, painting, polishing

Upholstery

Upholstery is the padding, springs, and covering fabrics applied to furniture. Upholstery materials include:

• Foam - cut to shape and bonded
• Batting - provides loft and padding
• Springs - coiled or rubber webbing
• Fabric - leather, microfiber, cotton

Metalworking

Metals like iron, aluminum and stainless steel are made into furniture pieces. Metalworking techniques involve:

• Welding - fusing metal pieces together
• Bending - shaping rods, bars and tubes
• Polishing - buffing metals to shine

Other Materials

Plastics, stone, and glass are also made into furnishings. Advanced manufacturing methods like 3D printing are emerging for furniture building.

Furniture makers blend art, craft, and technology to produce functional and aesthetic furnishings for everyday life.

Musical Instruments

Musicians use various instruments to create melodies, rhythms and harmonic textures. Musical instruments employ diverse technologies and materials to produce sound.

String Instruments

String instruments create sound using tightened strings stretched over a frame or hollow body. Types include:

• Guitar - plucked and strummed
• Violin - bowed
• Harp - plucked
• Piano - hammered

String materials include steel, nylon, and animal gut. String instruments make sustained notes and rapid melodic runs possible.

Wind Instruments

Wind instruments produce sound by vibrating columns of air within tubing. Types include:

• Flute
• Clarinet
• Saxophone
• Trumpet

Reeds, mouthpieces, and valves modulate the air flow to change pitch. Wind instruments are versatile for melodies and harmonies.

Percussion Instruments

Percussion instruments make sounds when struck, shaken or scraped. Types include:

• Drums
• Cymbals
• Tambourines
• Maracas

Percussion provides rhythmic drive and punctuation points to music.

Electronic Instruments

Electronic instruments like synthesizers and samplers generate or manipulate sounds using circuitry and digital signal processing technology.

This variety of acoustic, electric, and electronic instruments empowers musicians to be creative and expressive.

How to Use Amazon Prime to Buy Wood

Amazon Prime offers fast, free shipping on over 100 million products. This makes it a convenient option for ordering wood materials for your DIY, craft, construction, and woodworking projects.

Search for Wood Products

Use the Amazon search bar to find the specific type of wood you need. You can search for general terms like "lumber" or more specific items like "birch plywood". Use the left sidebar filters to narrow your search by item features, average customer review, price range, Prime eligibility and more.

See If Prime Shipping Is Available

Look for the "Prime FREE One-Day" or "FREE Two-Day Shipping" tags to identify products eligible for fast, free Prime delivery. The delivery date estimate is shown for each item. Prime helps you get wood materials delivered right when you need them for time-sensitive projects.

Check Seller Ratings

Make sure to check the seller’s ratings before purchasing wood products. High ratings indicate reliable sellers who provide quality items and good service. Sort search results by rating to easily find top rated sellers of lumber, plywood, dowels, and more.

Compare Prices

Browse through all result pages and multiple sellers to compare wood product prices on Amazon. The platform offers very competitive pricing from third party sellers. Use price history graphs to find deals and see if an item has been cheaper in the past.

Consider Quantity Discounts

Larger quantities of wood often have discounted pricing for bulk savings. Take advantage of volume discounts on lumber, boards, turning blanks, and other materials you need for big projects.

With its massive selection and fast shipping, Amazon Prime is a great way for crafters, builders and woodworkers to conveniently purchase quality wood products.

Sign up for a free 30-day Prime trial to enjoy unlimited fast, free shipping on wood and other essential supplies.

"What Are The Different Types Of Wood And Their Properties?"

Wood is a versatile material that can be used for a variety of purposes. There are three main types of wood: softwoods, hardwoods, and engineered wood. Softwoods come from conifer-type trees, while hardwoods come from broad-leaved dicotyledons. Engineered wood is manufactured by man and can be made to have certain qualities and characteristics. There are thousands of varieties and species of wood, but some of the most common hardwood species include oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, and walnut. Cedarwood is a lightweight wood that's pest-resistant and less likely to decay, while teak wood is known for its durability and water resistance. Pine is a softwood that's commonly used for furniture and interior parts of some types of furniture. Understanding the different types of wood and their unique characteristics can be helpful for choosing the best wood for your next project.

What Are The Differences Between Hardwood And Softwood??

Here are the main differences between hardwood and softwood:

Hardwood:

Comes from deciduous trees which lose their leaves annually.

Slower growing, meaning the wood is usually denser.

Characterized by a heavy, distinctive grain.

Tends to be darker than softwoods.

Usually stronger, more scratch-resistant, and harder-wearing.

Heavier than softwoods.

More complicated and time-consuming to machine and work with.

Usually doesn't take finishes, paints, or other treatments as easily as softwoods.

Softwood:

Comes from conifers, which usually remain evergreen.

Less dense than most hardwoods.

Flexible, lighter in weight, and less dense than most hardwoods.

Commonly used for interior mouldings, the manufacturing of windows, construction framing, and generating sheet goods such as plywood and fibreboard.

Softwoods contain more glucomannans than hardwoods.

Generally far more resistant to decay than softwoods when used for exterior work.

Usually reserved for windows and framing.

What Are The Advantages Of Using Hardwood Over Softwood??

Here are some advantages of using hardwood over softwood:

1. Durability: Hardwood is generally more durable than softwood due to its condensed structure. This makes it ideal for projects that require maximum durability.
2. Fire resistance: Hardwood offers a higher fire resistance than softwood, making it a safer choice for construction projects.
3. Appearance: Hardwood timber is available in a range of colors and finishes, and will suit almost any contemporary style setting.
4. Strength: Hardwood is usually stronger, more scratch-resistant, and harder-wearing than softwood.
5. Longevity: Hardwood stands the test of time due to its density, making it a great choice for long-lasting furniture and flooring.
6. Higher value: Hardwood is generally more expensive than softwood, but it is also more valuable due to its unique properties and characteristics.

• Types of Wood Products
• Lumber
• Plywood
• Oriented Strand Board (OSB)
• Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam)
• Wood Pulp
• Wood Product Uses
• Construction Materials
• Furniture Making
• Cabinetry
• Flooring
• Construction Materials
• Wood
• Concrete
• Steel
• Masonry
• Furniture Making
• Woodworking
• Upholstery
• Metalworking
• Other Materials
• Musical Instruments
• String Instruments
• Wind Instruments
• Percussion Instruments
• Electronic Instruments
• How to Use Amazon Prime to Buy Wood
• Search for Wood Products
• See If Prime Shipping Is Available
• Check Seller Ratings
• Compare Prices
• Consider Quantity Discounts
• "What Are The Different Types Of Wood And Their Properties?"
• What Are The Differences Between Hardwood And Softwood??
• What Are The Advantages Of Using Hardwood Over Softwood??