Walk into any lumber yard and you'll find dozens of species — each with different hardness, grain, color, and workability. Picking the wrong one can mean a board that warps, a finish that won't stick, or a project that just doesn't look right. Here's a practical guide to choosing hardwood for the most common DIY woodworking projects.
Step 1: Know Your Project Type
Different projects demand different properties from wood. Here's a quick cheat sheet:
- Cutting boards & charcuterie boards: You need a closed-grain, food-safe hardwood. Best choices: Hard Maple, Walnut, Cherry, White Oak.
- Furniture (tables, shelves, cabinets): You want stability and good finishing properties. Best choices: White Oak, Cherry, Walnut.
- Decorative & gift items: Figure and color matter most. Best choices: Walnut, Cherry, Ambrosia Maple.
- Outdoor projects: You need natural rot resistance. Best choices: White Oak (for its tyloses, which block water).
Step 2: Understand Hardwood Thickness (the 4/4 System)
Hardwood lumber is sold in quarters of an inch. So 4/4 ("four-quarter") means the board is approximately 1 inch thick rough, and about ¾" after surfacing. 8/4 is roughly 2 inches rough. For most cutting boards and furniture, 4/4 is the standard starting thickness.
Step 3: Choose Your Species
White Oak
Hard, durable, and water-resistant with a beautiful ray-fleck figure. Great for furniture, cutting boards, and anything that needs to last.
👉 Shop 4/4 White Oak | Shop 8/4 White Oak
Black Walnut
Rich dark color, moderate hardness, and excellent workability. One of the most sought-after domestic hardwoods for furniture and boards.
👉 Shop 4/4 Walnut | Shop 8/4 Walnut
Cherry
Warm reddish tones that deepen beautifully over time. Easy to work and finish. A classic choice for heirloom-quality projects.
Soft Maple
Lighter in color and slightly softer than Hard Maple, but still a great all-around hardwood for cutting boards, furniture, and painted projects.
👉 Shop 4/4 Soft Maple | Shop 8/4 Ambrosia Soft Maple
Step 4: Calculate How Much You Need
Hardwood is sold by the board foot (BF). One board foot = 1" thick x 12" wide x 12" long. To calculate board feet: Thickness (in) × Width (in) × Length (in) ÷ 144. Always add 15–20% for waste from jointing, planing, and cutting around defects.
Ready to Order?
All of our hardwood lumber is sold by the board foot and available for local pickup. Browse the full selection below.