Choosing the type of wood for a piece of furniture is an important decision--coloration, style and design all play an important part in the perfect table top for a space.  At Fat Cat we only offer Hardwoods suitable for daily use, but some may suit your personal space more than others.  Here are some of the most common species (which we offer!) and their most common uses/differences!

 

Walnut:

• Color: Walnut is known for its rich, deep, chocolate-brown color, often with darker streaks and lighter highlights. The heartwood is typically dark brown but can occasionally contain purplish/reddish coloration, while the sapwood is a pale yellowish-brown.
• Texture: It has a fine, even grain with a smooth texture, but it can also feature some irregularities, such as waves or curls.
• Durability: Walnut is a strong and durable hardwood, often used for high-end furniture, cabinetry, and woodturning. It is naturally resistant to decay.
• Uses: Furniture, cabinetry, gunstocks, veneers, and decorative pieces.

Claro Walnut:

• Color: Claro Walnut is a variety of walnut that comes from the West Coast of the U.S. It has a similar dark color to traditional walnut but is distinguished by its rich, warm hues, ranging from dark brown to purples, reds, and golden tones.
• Texture: Claro Walnut has a more pronounced grain than regular walnut, often displaying intricate patterns such as curly or figured grain, making it highly sought after for decorative work.
• Durability: Like regular walnut, it is durable and resistant to wear and decay.
• Uses: High-end furniture, woodworking projects, and artistic applications, especially where grain pattern plays an important role.

Maple:

• Color: Maple typically has a pale, creamy color with subtle grain patterns. The heartwood is usually light brown, and the sapwood is a nearly white or a pale yellow.  This can vary WIDELY between varieties---ambrosia can have gray striations with tan accents while Spalted maple can have black lines and pinkish/reddish hews.  Maple Burl and curly maples may also have varying degrees of figure, giving a 3D appearence.  
• Texture: Maple has a fine, uniform texture with a straight grain. Some varieties, such as curly maple, can feature distinctive wavy grain patterns.
• Durability: Maple is a strong, hard wood that is resistant to abrasion and impact, making it ideal for heavy-use items like flooring or cabinetry.
• Uses: Furniture, cabinetry, kitchen utensils, musical instruments (like drum shells), and flooring.

• Hackberry:

• Color: Hackberry’s color ranges from pale yellow to light brown, often with a grayish tint. The wood may have streaks or patches of darker color.
• Texture: The wood has a fine, even texture and a straight grain, but it can sometimes feature irregularities like wavy grain or small knots.
• Durability: Hackberry is a moderately durable wood, though not as tough as other hardwoods. It has moderate resistance to decay and wear.
• Uses: Furniture, cabinetry, paneling, and plywood, often used as a cost-effective alternative to other hardwoods.

• Cherry:

• Color: Cherry wood starts with a light pinkish-brown color that darkens with age and exposure to sunlight, developing a rich, reddish-brown hue over time.
• Texture: Cherry has a smooth, fine texture with a subtle, straight grain. It may have occasional small knots or burl features.
• Durability: Cherry is a moderately durable hardwood, with good resistance to wear and moderate susceptibility to scratches.
• Uses: High-quality furniture, cabinetry, woodturning, and interior trim. Cherry is particularly favored for its aging qualities, as its color deepens beautifully with time.

 Chestnut:

• Color: Chestnut wood typically has a warm, light to medium brown color, with some pieces featuring a slightly reddish hue. The heartwood is darker than the sapwood, which tends to be a pale, yellowish-brown.
• Texture: Chestnut has a coarse texture with an open, straight, or slightly irregular grain. It can have a rustic appearance with visible knots or figuring, especially in more highly figured pieces.
• Durability: Historically, American Chestnut was highly prized for its durability and resistance to decay, making it an excellent material for outdoor structures, fences, and other uses exposed to the elements. However, due to the near-extinction of the American Chestnut tree from a fungal blight in the early 20th century, chestnut lumber is now rare and more often sourced from European or hybrid chestnut species.
• Uses: When available, chestnut was used for furniture, cabinetry, paneling, and wooden beams. Its resistance to decay made it a popular choice for outdoor applications like decking, posts, and siding. Additionally, it was used in the production of barrels and agricultural equipment.

Chestnut is a highly sought-after wood when available, appreciated for its aesthetic appeal and durability. The modern wood that may be referred to as chestnut is usually from hybrid or European chestnut species, as the American Chestnut has been almost entirely wiped out by the chestnut blight. 

Hopefully this gives more insight into the differences between these hardwoods!