Understanding Wood Density – How Does It Affect Wood Selection?

[emmawilson]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to get a better understanding of wood density and how it influences wood selection for different applications. I know denser woods are generally stronger, but how does density affect workability, durability, or resistance to moisture and pests?

I came across a complete hardwood and pine density chart, but I'm not sure how to interpret the values for practical use. Are these densities consistent across regions or suppliers? I'm especially interested in choosing the right wood for both indoor furniture and outdoor projects.

Any tips, resources, or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[emmawilson]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to get a better understanding of wood density and how it influences wood selection for different applications. I know denser woods are generally stronger, but how does density affect workability, durability, or resistance to moisture and pests?

I came across a complete hardwood and pine density chart, but I'm not sure how to interpret the values for practical use. Are these densities consistent across regions or suppliers? I'm especially interested in choosing the right wood for both indoor furniture and outdoor projects.

Any tips, resources, or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance for any help

 

[Oldnretired]

thanks in advance for any help

Durability is what you want for wood exposed to the elements. Durability and density or hardness are different. When describing durability in wood, resistance to rot equals durability regardless of the density or hardness of the wood.
Think of redwood vs oak. Oak is much harder and denser but redwood is considered more durable. Much softer but more durable.
IPE and Teak are very good choices for outdoor furniture but should still be protected from UV rays if one wants to retain the origional color. There are others just as good or better but near impossible to obtain due to regulations and bans resulting from overharvesting. Teakwood trim on boats is coated with Spar Varnish which has greater UV protection than other coatings to protect it from sun and salt water for instance.
Another option is Vahalla wood treatment which contains soluable iron and from what I understand (anyway) converts the sugars in wood to make them unpalatable to fungus and insect attack. It's all Parks Canada uses and their outdoor stuff takes a beating from the weather.
I have a pavilion in my back yard made from Douglas Fir that I treated with it and in time the sun has turned it to a nice rootbeer color. Cedar on my fence turned silver. It reacts with different woods differently.
If one doesn't like the driftwood color effect there will be the periodic maintenance of refinishing.
There's also the comfort issue. Vahalla doesn't keep the wood from weathering, just from rotting. Cracks will still form but the treatment "migrates" into them next time the treated wood gets wet.
On an outdoor chair or table I think it would be possible to design a two tone effect with Vahalla on the non contact surfaces and Spar Varnish on the chair arms, table top etc. to minimize maintenance.
Hope this helps. Kind of long winded......sorry..............