Types of Woods Used for Making Wooden Picture Stands

Products made from wood are interesting to look at. The different colours and stains make the wooden picture stand attractive. When your guests notice your pictures displayed on the wooden picture stand, they are not just drawn to pictures but also the wood. 

Makers of wooden picture stands have their preference for wood to use. They mainly choose between hard and dost wood. Both types of wood have advantages and disadvantages. 

Hardwoods

Hardwoods have beautiful grain patterns, handle cutting machines well, are easy to stain and have a great finishing. Unfortunately, hardwood more expensive than softwood. Oakwood, Mahogany, Birch Cherry, Maple, Walnut, and Poplar are some of the woods commonly used for making wooden picture stands. 

These woods have unique characteristics which influence the differences in the appearance of wooden picture stands. Hardwood is favoured because it is hard-wearing, and it resists scratches and dents. Since you are likely to move wooden picture stands around, you need to get one made from high-quality wood. 

Softwoods

Cypress, cedar, pine, fir, and spruce are some of the softwoods commonly used. Their grain patterns are rather plain and not as attractive and intense as those of hardwood. Since they are soft, these woods can be curved into picture stands of different shapes. Some softwoods absorb paint well and are cheaper than hardwood. 

Unique features of popular woods 

Basswood

This wood, also known as Linden, is from the Tilia family. It falls under hardwood but is easy to carve and shape. It is often chosen because it is lightweight, has unobstructed grain, and is smooth to touch. 

Cedar

Cedar is a softwood known to repel moths. It makes it a great choice if you are looking for wood to protect your pictures and artwork. This wood comes in various shades and grains. The colours range from pinkish-white to a rich brown-red. 

Pine

Pine, a softwood, is light-yellowish in colour. It has even straight grains that resemble a bar code. This wood tends to resist paint applications. With these features, you may wonder why this wood is sometimes used to make wooden picture stands and frames. Well, pine is affordable. When making wood items with machines, the likelihood of some getting damaged is high. Since pine is cheap, losses are minimal when damages occur. 

Mahogany

Mahogany, a popular hardwood known for its red hue. While other types of woods mimic its red colour, its straight grain and durability are unmatched. Some mahogany species have a glossy sheen when polished. These features make this mahogany ideal for a wooden picture stand. 

Walnut

Walnut is a dense hardwood with irregular grains. Some walnuts have straight grains, which are easier to work with, while irregular grains are harder to cut. Since this is an expensive wood, wood that chipped while being cut is often used for small wooden picture stands. Irregular grains still work and are attractive on wooden picture stands. 

When ordering a wooden picture stand, some vendors will give you the option of choosing the wood you’d like. Understanding the features, especially the stain and colour, will help you make the right choice.