Identifying Wooden Door Materials

When shopping for a wooden door, it may already be part of your plan to purchase a certain type of wood because of its benefits and the look that it offers. When you go shopping, however, you may not be able to easily identify which wood is which. It’s also better not to rely only on what sales associates tell you since they can also make mistakes. Before you head to the store, learn how to identify the different types of wood used in doors. So what’s the secret? Look at the grain of the wood.

Oak

• Red oak has broad bands of grain in a zigzag pattern mixed with straight grain lines. This wood retains its red tint even after staining and is softer than white oak when tapped on.
• White oak has fewer zigzag patterns and more thin straight grain lines. After staining, this type of door will have a light gray or yellow tint. White oak is denser than red oak.

Mahogany

• Mahogany has straight grain patterns that usually look flat and consistent with few color variations and complex patterns.
• Mahogany retains its red tint after staining.
• This wood is low in density, and thus hollow sounding when tapped, and lighter than other door types.

Birch

• Birch has large, wide grain patterns compared to other woods.
• Color varies throughout a birch door. For instance, one half may be brown and the other half white with a swirling pattern.
• The surface of this door is slick and usually has solid core, making it heavier than other doors.
• Birch is the most affordable material for wooden doors.

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