Pros and Cons of Different Wood Types for Wood Frame Construction

Do you know that most of the houses you come across owe their construction to the wood frame? Yes, the rapid development of commercialized areas since the past century is because of the wood frames. 

So, you see, wood has very extensive use for our day-to-day lives: from the furniture we have at home to the foundation of some of the houses we see around. It has exceptional adaptability. 

Depending on what is needed, wood can fill the role. So, are you interested in knowing more about it and the different types of woods used for building a house or a building? 

If you are, you’ve arrived at the right place. If you’re in the market for building a house with wood frames, be on the look for these woods. 

Here, we’ll briefly visit the main considerations – the pros and the cons – of the most common types of woods used for wood frames. 

1. Pine Wood 

When it comes to cost savings, you should be able to rely well on pine wood. It’s pretty renowned because it’s not as expensive as the other woods that are commonly used as wood frames. It’s easy to outsource, thanks in part for its availability and accessibility. 

However, it’s doesn’t last that long as compared with other woods. Its softness also implies its permeability. 

When talking about the foundation of your house, you want it to become as solid and as sturdy as possible. You want it to last for a lifetime. Pine wood’s natural soft texture makes it more vulnerable to impurities. Good thing though that there mechanical and chemical ways to make sure that it stays scratch-free and immune from other damages. 

2. Oak Wood 

Let me be direct here and not beat you around the bush. If you have the money for it, go for the oak wood. It’s expensive, yes. But it’s extremely hard and solid. It’s less porous than the other wood types, which means that for durability alone, it remains incomparable. 

It’s very heavy and has a linear pattern making it ideal for a minimalist persona. It also comes in different colors, such as red and white. It takes a long time before it naturally decays. But, then again, the mechanical and chemical methods will be applied to ensure that they withstand the test of time. 

3. Cypress Wood 

Cypress wood is naturally known for contractors as it is moisture and decay-resistant. It is highly dense, with very few pores to allow air to come in and linger inside. It is very firm and tough, making it an excellent choice for house construction and not just for flooring. 

Relative to pine and oak woods, cypress wood is generally cheaper. It also has inherent properties that make it very good to deal with. When it comes to painting a finish on it or gluing it, it’s very good to work on. 

Despite its density, it can still fade over time. In addition to that, without chemical treatment, it can be toxic. Its inherent pungent odor might not sit well to some. Its texture is coarse, and the grain is generally straight and neat. 

4. Walnut Wood 

Contractors and woodworkers also love walnut wood. It has excellent properties that make it fun to work with. It can be easily profiled or carved or mold on how one wants to use it. It is tough, but it is equally flexible. 

Among its great features would be its distinctive brown color and grainy texture. Unfortunately, it is very expensive and can degrade due to harsh weather conditions. It has a high-maintenance profile. 

5. Maple Wood 

Maple wood is comparably hard – if not harder – as the other types of woods already said here, but it is relatively unstable. It is harder than oak wood and more dent resistant. Most would just often consider it for flooring purposes and not as the main foundation of the house. So, it’s not very ideal to be used for wood framing, especially if you have the money for either oak or walnut wood. In Canada, it’s very common because of its huge availability. So, it’s affordable. However, it can cost a lot in a country where there are no local maple trees.