Ranking The 10 Strongest Woods to Build With

Wood is a common building material, and its strength can be quantified using the Janka hardness rating, which is the standard rating in the industry. This is the rating used to measure the resistance of wood samples to wear and denting. To untrained eyes, all woods can appear strong and suitable for use in buildings. However, some woods can withstand more pressure than others

. According to Hitchcock and King, the Janka hardness scale indicates the strength of wood based on the amount of force it takes to drive a steel ball into the wood. This is the knowledge that builders use to make more informed decisions. This ensures that the boards they select can endure the wear and tear they can face. Wood is classified into hardwood and softwood, and they are ideal for various kinds of projects.

The strength of wood is not provided in a single measurement. It is indicated in measurements like density, compressive strength, bending strength, and hardness. The strength of the wood fiber is consistent across every tree species, and the strength of wood depends on the number of fibers packed into a given area.

Fiber Strength

Wood fiber’s strength is consistent across every tree species, and the strength of the wood itself depends on the number of fibers packed into a given area. For this reason, the density of a wood correlates closely to its hardness and strength. For that reason, if you know the comparative density of wood, you can get a great approximation of its strength and hardness. It is also possible to determine its relative strength based on other woods. Hardness is a useful measure of whether the wood is suitable for flooring or not. When building a structure, it is practical to ask if the wood is hard enough. Many times, particularly on flooring, the finish gets scratched, especially if the wood underneath is fine. In every practicality, most hardwoods are hard enough for many residual applications. However, if you need to have the hardest lumber around, this list will be helpful. Here are the 10 strongest kinds of wood to build with:

10. Oak

Oak is a cost-effective wood choice, even though it is not the strongest. It is easily available in the U.S.A and is therefore used to build homes. According to Hunker.com, the tree comes in various hues that range from light brown to red. Oak comes in dominant grains, which many people find appealing. It is therefore ideal for use in making furniture. An advantage of this hardwood is that it is easy to maintain. Cleaning it is also easy. The dirt is easy to remove since the particles fail to stick to the surface. Additionally, the surface of oak does not stick to the surface. The final surface of hardwood also does not accumulate allergens and dirt, making it the ideal choice for people with allergens. The other feature of hardwood is durability. It does not bend easily compared to structural or armored flooring that is easy to destroy.

9. Ash

Ash is a hardwood that is popular for use in wood sporting equipment. This is ideal for sporting equipment since it is not as strong and heavy as other hardwoods. It can also absorb shock without splintering. Items such as boat oars and baseball bats can come from ash. The wood has a light hue and comes with visible grain markings. This makes it appear relatively common. The ash woods taken from the deciduous species of the tree are usually hard. Essentially, they are harder than oak, but they do not resist moisture that much.

8. Hickory

This is a popular choice for builders who seek a string wood option because it is indigenous to the USA. It comes in an assortment of colors that range from reddish to white. Since it is possible to harvest it from domestic trees, it is usually less expensive, making it a wood that builders can use in various building projects ranging from furniture building to construction.

7. Ebony

This is an exotic wood that receives a hard rating when it comes to hardness. The wood features black tones and is predominantly exported from Africa. Unlike other woods, it does not have a discernible grain. Like cherry, it is often used in constructing furniture rather than building.

6. Cherry

This dark wood is not visually appealing, and it is also very strong. It has a red undertone that makes it fitting. Due to the coolness linked with Cherry, it is not normally used in construction. However, builders select it when building furnishings like end tables and beds. This saves the pricey cuts of wood for decorative pieces where the beauty is activated.

5. Lignum vitae

This trade wood comes from the Guaiacum tree, which is indigenous to the Caribbean and South America’s northern coast. This wood has been used since the sixteenth century. It combines density, strength, and toughness at a hardness of 4,500 lbf.

4. Schinopsis balansae

According to Mtcopeland, Schinopsis balansae is a tree that makes up large areas of forest in Paraguay and Argentina. At times, it reaches a height of 24 meters. Its wood is hard at 4,570 lbf.

3. Brazilian Ebony

This is a heavy wood that originates from Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. Its Janka rating is 3,692. It is especially great for the construction of planking and decking. The wood is durable, hard, and shock-resistant. This makes it an attractive, cost-effective, and practical choice in the long run.

2. Schinopsis brasiliensis

This is a species of flowering plant which belongs to the cashew family, and it originates in Brazil. It creates very tough wood of 4,800 lbf. Due to its strength and hardness, it is often used to construct buildings.

1. Australian Buloke

This is an ironwood tree that mainly grows in Australia. The wood comes from a tree species that grows in most of Southern and Eastern Australia. It is regarded as the hardest wood globally, and it has a hardness of 5,060 lbf.

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