First Class MasterCraft

Upholstery - Restoration - Custom Fabrication

2431 Lemoine Ave Fort Lee NJ 07024

 


Wood Species

A complete guide to the wood species we trust — from walnut and oak to maple, cherry, and mahogany.
Built for clients seeking clarity, durability, and long-term performance in custom furniture, restoration, and fine cabinetry.

Assorted wood species samples including walnut, oak, and maple

 

Walnut

Walnut is a premium hardwood known for its rich brown color, straight grain, and exceptional stability. It is prized for high-end furniture and architectural millwork.

  • Deep chocolate-brown color
  • Excellent dimensional stability
  • Ideal for luxury furniture and casework
  • Develops a warm patina over time
Walnut wood grain with rich dark brown color
 

White Oak

White oak is strong, durable, and highly resistant to moisture. Its tight grain and natural tannins make it ideal for both modern and traditional furniture.

  • Extremely durable and dense
  • Beautiful ray fleck patterns in quarter-sawn cuts
  • Ideal for tables, chairs, and cabinetry
  • Excellent for restoration and refinishing
Quartersawn white oak showing ray fleck grain pattern
 

Maple

Maple is a hard, smooth-grained wood known for its strength and clean appearance. It is commonly used in cabinetry, tabletops, and structural furniture frames.

  • Very strong and impact-resistant
  • Light, uniform color
  • Ideal for painted finishes or clear coats
  • Excellent for high-use furniture
Maple wood with light color and uniform grain
 
 

Cherry

Cherry is a fine-grained hardwood that darkens beautifully with age. Its warm tones and smooth texture make it a favorite for heirloom-quality furniture.

  • Warm reddish-brown color
  • Develops a deep patina over time
  • Ideal for traditional and contemporary furniture
  • Excellent workability and finishing
Cherry wood with warm reddishbrown color and smooth grain

Mahogany

Mahogany is a classic furniture wood known for its rich color, straight grain, and exceptional carving qualities. It is widely used in fine restoration work.

  • Deep reddish-brown color
  • Excellent stability and workability
  • Ideal for antique restoration
  • Premium choice for luxury furniture
Mahogany wood with deep reddish tone and straight grain

Solid Wood vs. Veneer

Both solid wood and high-quality veneers have a place in fine furniture. Veneers allow for stable, consistent surfaces and intricate patterns, while solid wood offers strength and longevity.

  • Solid wood → strength, longevity, heirloom quality
  • Veneer → stability, consistency, decorative patterns
  • Both are used in high-end furniture
  • Choice depends on design and application
Hands peeling back a flexible cherry wood veneer sheet to show its grain and backing.
 

Choosing the Right Wood

The best wood species depends on the project — from structural frames to tabletops, cabinetry, and restoration work. We guide clients toward materials that balance beauty, durability, and long-term performance.

  • Luxury furniture → walnut, cherry, mahogany
  • High-use furniture → white oak, maple
  • Restoration → period-correct hardwoods
  • Cabinetry → maple, oak, walnut
Grid of nine wood finish samples labeled reclaimed oak clear, reclaimed oak walnut, reclaimed oak textured, white oak clear, walnut clear, ash clear, white oak natural, white oak gray, and white oak black
Stacked wood veneer panels showing various grain patterns and tones from light beige to medium brown.

Explore More Materials

Continue learning about the materials we trust across upholstery, restoration, and custom fabrication.