Choosing the best wood for your custom build

A question asked most commonly in regards to a new build is what type of wood should be used. There are a handful of factors to consider and it depends on what each individual customer's needs may be. We will quickly break down each type we most commonly use based on affordability, durability, grain pattern, and color. 

We started this business using primarily pine. We quickly learned that in order to create a piece that matched our high standards, hardwoods would need to be used. While it is very affordable, pine is a very soft wood that will not stand the test of time. Our first orders had reports of cracking and warping due to variations in temps and humidity. They also dent and scratch easily. You will find most hobbyists and DIY'ers use this species but we primarily source red oak, ash, maple, cherry, and walnut. 

The most affordable of those listed are red oak and ash. The majority of our custom orders are these species. While affordable, they are still durable and strong. Another species that has great durabilty is maple. 

If you want a piece with less wood grain visible, maple or cherry are your best options. 

If you favor a more visible grain pattern, oak and ash are the way to go. 

Want to keep a natural wood color for your table? Walnut is a beautiful choice for this. 

While ash takes just about any stain color beautifully, red oak requires a darker stain option due to the hint of red (as the name suggests) in its natural color process. 

When it comes to helping you design your custom piece, we walk you through all these options to find what best fits your needs. Our goal at IFT is to build a piece for your family that will be just what you are looking for and in many cases, one-of-a-kind, without compromising quality. We are always happy to answer your questions so you have a piece of furniture that can be enjoyed for years to come.