Introduction

Woodworking starts with good timber, but choosing the right material can sometimes feel confusing.

  • What does quarter sawn mean?
  • What is the difference between kiln dried and air dried timber?
  • Why do two boards of the same species look completely different?
  • What makes walnut different from oak, maple or cherry?

The Wood Room Knowledge Centre has been created to help woodworkers understand timber, from choosing your first hardwood board through to selecting specialist materials for more advanced projects.

Whether you are making your first piece of furniture, turning bowls and pens, building instruments, carving, CNC routing or simply wanting to understand more about wood, our guides are here to help.

Article 1 -Timber Terminology Guide – Understanding Hardwood


Learn the essential terms used by woodworkers, from grain direction and timber cuts to moisture content, dimensions and grading. A simple guide to help you understand timber before choosing the right wood for your next project.

Click to Open

Article 2 - Understanding Wood Grain & Figure


Discover how wood grain affects the appearance, strength and workability of timber. Learn about grain direction, figure, texture and how to make the most of natural wood characteristics in your projects.

coming soon