American Hardwoods: Answering Your Questions for UK Woodworking Projects

Timbersource Limited, a trusted supplier of premium timber in the UK, recognises the growing interest in American hardwoods for UK woodworking and construction. Indeed, these hardwoods, renowned for their diverse range, exceptional quality, and sustainability, offer many possibilities. This blog post, therefore, answers key questions UK professionals and enthusiasts have about these remarkable materials. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive guide to their appeal and suitability.

Your Burning Questions Answered: A Deep Dive into American Hardwoods

What are American Hardwoods?

American hardwoods come from deciduous trees. Notably, these trees have broad leaves and produce fruits or nuts. Typically, they go dormant in winter. This dormancy, therefore, distinguishes them from softwoods, which come from coniferous trees (needle and cone-bearing). North America, indeed, has the most extensive variety of temperate hardwood species globally. Consequently, this variety offers a rich palette of options.

Why are American Hardwoods Popular in the UK?

American hardwoods are popular in the UK due to their unique aesthetics. For example, they offer a wide spectrum of colours, grains, and characters. These range from the deep, warm tones of Walnut and Cherry to the lighter hues of Maple and Ash. Leading UK timber suppliers, like Timbersource, stock a comprehensive selection: Walnut, Cherry, Oak, Maple, Ash, and Poplar. This established presence in the UK, therefore, shows a recognised value and a well-maintained supply chain. Moreover, we cater specifically to UK customers. Ultimately, the appeal of these timbers likely stems from several factors: distinctive visual characteristics, unique performance attributes (not found in UK native woods), and competitive pricing.

What American Hardwoods Does Timbersource Offer?

Timbersource Limited offers a diverse inventory: American Walnut, American Cherry, American Hard Maple, American Oak, American Ash, and American Poplar. Generally, we supply these timbers as kiln-dried sawn boards, in various sizes and thicknesses. Customers can often find these boards planed all round (PAR) and cut to their specified dimensions. As a result, this ensures convenience and minimises waste.

American vs. UK Native Hardwoods: Key Differences & Comparisons

While both American and UK hardwoods share the “hardwood” classification (providing strength and beauty), notable differences exist. For instance, American White Oak often has a more yellow hue than European Oak. It also tends to have a more consistent colour. However, its longer rays result in a more pronounced figure. European Oak, conversely, typically displays a wavier grain and a richer, honeyed golden-brown colour.

American White Oak might be less suitable for external use than European Oak. This is because its larger pores could absorb more moisture. American Ash, on the other hand, looks similar to European Ash: light colour and a bold, straight grain (sometimes wavy). However, American Ash offers exceptional shock resistance and flexibility. Therefore, this makes it ideal for tool handles and sports equipment.

Species like American Maple (Hard) and Cherry are not widely cultivated in the UK. As a result, this makes them unique offerings. They provide distinct colour palettes and grain patterns not readily sourced locally. Ultimately, understanding these subtle differences, even between similar species like Oak, is crucial.

Uses of American Hardwoods in the UK

Furniture Making:

American hardwoods see extensive use in UK furniture manufacturing and construction. For example, furniture makers often use American Oak (White and Red) as a classic, adaptable material. American Black Walnut, though, is highly valued for its luxurious dark colour. Therefore, it adds elegance to high-impact pieces. Hard Maple (American Maple), specifically, is popular for bright, modern furniture. Its creamy white colour and hardwearing nature make it ideal. Similarly, the rich reddish-brown tones of American Cherry bring warmth to fine furniture. American Ash, strong and pale, is used, especially when shock resistance is needed. Conversely, American Tulipwood provides a good option on a budget-conscious project that can easily be stained.

Construction, Joinery and Flooring Construction and Joinery:

In construction, American White Oak is used for structural elements, joinery, and trim. Likewise, American Ash excels in internal and high-class joinery. American Tulipwood, in addition, is versatile, found in interior joinery, kitchen cabinetry, doors, and mouldings.

Flooring:

For flooring, American Oak is a durable and popular choice. Hard Maple, in particular, is excellent for high-traffic areas due to its hardness. However, American Cherry, a softer hardwood, suits lower-traffic areas like bedrooms. Finally, American Black Walnut offers a luxurious flooring solution with a rich, dark aesthetic.

Assessing Durability: The Janka Hardness Test

The Janka hardness test measures a wood’s resistance to indentation. Consequently, a higher rating means greater wear resistance. Hard Maple, for example, boasts a high Janka rating (around 1450 lbf). This signifies excellent durability for flooring and furniture. White Oak (around 1360 lbf) is also recognised as durable. Similarly, American Ash (around 1320 lbf) offers a good combination of strength and shock resistance. Cherry (around 950 lbf), on the other hand, is a medium-density hardwood. Thus, it provides adequate durability for furniture and light-traffic flooring. Black Walnut (around 1010 lbf), similarly, offers good durability for furniture and moderate-traffic flooring. In contrast, Tulipwood (around 540 lbf) is softer and, therefore, best used where extreme hardness isn’t needed. UK native hardwoods like Oak, Ash, and Beech also provide excellent durability.

Aesthetic Qualities: Colour and Grain

White Oak from America has brown and yellow tones and a smooth grain. Mineral streaks, too, often feature. As a result, this makes it well-suited for contemporary designs. Its heartwood, however, ranges from light to dark brown. Ash, meanwhile, exhibits a light brown to pale yellow colour with a bold, straight grain. In contrast, Hard Maple displays a creamy white colour, sometimes with golden tints. Its grain, moreover, is straight and subtle. The rich reddish-brown tones of Cherry deepen with age. Furthermore, it has a straight, fine grain and smooth texture. Black Walnut, on the other hand, has a premium dark colour, from light brown to dark chocolate. Although its grain is usually straight, it can be irregular. Tulipwood, conversely, features creamy white sapwood and heartwood ranging from pale yellow-brown to olive green. Finally, Beech typically has a pale cream colour and a straight, fine texture.

Pricing and Sustainability of American Hardwoods Pricing of American Hardwoods in the UK

Prices vary depending on species, grade, thickness, and supplier. Generally, American Ash is often more budget-friendly than European Oak. American White Oak, for instance, starts from approximately £14.72 per square metre. Often positioned as a premium hardwood, American Black Walnut typically commands a higher price point, with timber prices starting from around £15.94 per square metre. The cost of Maple, however, depends on the specific grade. Similarly, Cherry usually falls in a mid-range price category. American Tulipwood, finally, is generally more cost-effective than Walnut and Cherry. While the overall UK hardwood market can be more expensive than the USA’s, the prices for comparable quality timber may not differ excessively.

Sustainability of American Hardwoods Choosing American hardwoods can be sustainable. This is because US forests are generally well-managed. In fact, tree growth often surpasses harvesting. The USA and Canada, indeed, lead in ensuring long-term hardwood forest sustainability. When selecting, look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. This, in effect, assures responsible forest management. Timbersource may offer FSC-certified American hardwoods. For UK-grown timber, the Grown in Britain certification serves as a similar indicator.

Choosing the Right American Hardwood and Where to Buy

Several factors warrant consideration. Durability, for example, is a primary concern. Therefore, use the Janka hardness rating to guide your choice. Consider aesthetic preferences: colour, grain, and texture. Think about, also, workability: machining, joining, and finishing. Naturally, your project’s budget will influence the selection. For eco-conscious projects, prioritise sustainably sourced species. Therefore, look for FSC certification. Finally, consider the intended use. High-quality American hardwoods can be sourced in the UK through reputable suppliers like Timbersource Limited, a leading online timber merchant. Furthermore, we provide services like planing all round (PAR) and precise cutting. Contact our sales team, then, for assistance.

A Closer Look at Popular American Hardwood Species

• American White Oak: This wood is typically straight-grained with a medium-to-coarse texture. In addition, it features light-coloured sapwood and light-to-dark brown heartwood. Its Janka hardness is approximately 1360 lbf. Density, also, is around 750 kg/m³. It’s commonly used in the UK for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and joinery. Moreover, it’s also used for crafting barrel staves. Advantages: versatility, good strength, wear resistance, and steam bending suitability. Disadvantages: lower durability for external use than European Oak, and high shrinkage.

• American Ash: This variety has a bold, straight grain (sometimes wavy). It also features a light brown to pale yellow colour. Its Janka hardness is approximately 1320 lbf, and its density ranges from 670 to 900 kg/m³. It’s commonly used in the UK for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, tool handles, and sports equipment. Advantages: versatility, a good strength-to-weight ratio, shock resistance, and steam bending properties. Disadvantage: non-durable heartwood (internal use unless treated).

• American Maple (Hard): This maple has a close, fine, generally straight grain. It also features creamy white sapwood and light to dark reddish-brown heartwood. Its Janka hardness is around 1450 lbf, and density is around 705-770 kg/m³. It’s commonly used in the UK for furniture, flooring (especially high-traffic areas), kitchen cabinets, and table tops. Advantages: hardwearing nature, abrasion resistance, and steam bending. Disadvantage: can be difficult to work with due to hardness.

• American Cherry: Cherry has a straight, fine grain and smooth texture. It features a rich reddish-brown colour that, in time, darkens with age. Its Janka hardness is around 950 lbf, and density ranges from 600 to 800 kg/m³. It’s commonly used in the UK for furniture, cabinetry, millwork, and fine woodworking. Advantages: rich colour, good workability, and excellent finish. However, it’s relatively soft, so it’s only suitable for low-traffic flooring.

More American Hardwood Species

• American Black Walnut: Black Walnut has a grain that is usually straight but can be irregular. It, therefore, features a colour ranging from light to dark chocolate brown. Its Janka hardness is around 1010 lbf, and density is approximately 660 kg/m³. It’s commonly used in the UK for furniture, cabinetry, veneer, and high-class joinery. Advantages: beautiful dark colour, good dimensional stability, and excellent workability. However, it can be more expensive.

• American Tulipwood: Tulipwood has a straight fine and even texture and, in addition, features a light cream to pale brown colour. Its Janka hardness is around 540lbf and has a density ranging from 370 to 510 kg/m3. Consequently, it’s commonly used for furniture, carving, musical instuments and mouldings. Advantages include it’s light weight, soft strength properties and excellent workability. However, it is not particularly durable outdoors.

• American Beech: Beech has a straight, fine texture and features a light cream to reddish-brown colour. Its Janka Hardness is around 5800 N, and density ranges from 720 to 800 kg/m3. Therefore, it’s commmonly used in the UK for furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and tool handles. Advantages, for example, include its strength, toughness and workability. However, it is not particularly durable outdoors.

Matching the Wood to the Task: A Quick Guide

Furniture: For furniture, consider aesthetics. Oak is classic. Walnut, on the other hand, is rich. Maple is elegant, and Cherry is warm. For high-use pieces, consequently, choose harder woods like Oak, Maple, or Walnut. For intricate designs, Cherry, Ash, and Tulipwood offer good workability.

Flooring: For flooring, prioritise hardness. Hard Maple, in particular, is a top contender. American Oak is also durable. Consider moisture levels; White Oak offers better resistance.

Construction: For construction, strength is key. American White Oak, therefore, is reliable. For internal joinery, American Ash and Tulipwood work well.

Budget: American Tulipwood is often more economical. Black Walnut, in contrast, is typically more expensive.

Sustainability: For sustainability, choose FSC-certified wood.

Conclusion: Partner with Timbersource for Your American Hardwood Needs

American hardwoods offer beauty, strength, versatility, and sustainability. From Oak’s elegance to Walnut’s depth, Maple’s modernity, and Tulipwood’s character, there’s a perfect match for every project. Timbersource Limited is your reliable UK partner. We, therefore, offer an extensive range of American hardwoods. Furthermore, we combine expertise with customer satisfaction. Explore our range on our website today. Contact our knowledgeable team. We’ll help you select the perfect American hardwood. Finally, we provide high-quality timber and services to bring your visions to fruition.

American Oak wall panelling (American Hardwood UK)