Introduction

Buying hardwood timber can seem confusing when you first start woodworking. Timber merchants and experienced makers often use terms such as quarter sawn, live edge, kiln dried, rift sawn, end grain and board foot without always explaining what they mean.

Understanding these terms makes choosing timber much easier. Whether you are building furniture, turning bowls and pens, making kitchen items, carving, creating musical instruments or simply looking for the right piece of wood for a project, knowing how timber is described helps you buy with confidence.

At The Wood Room, we believe good timber knowledge helps you make better projects. This guide explains the terminology commonly used when buying hardwood timber in the UK.

Understanding Timber Species

Every type of timber comes from a particular tree species. Timber is usually sold using its common name, but the botanical name is the most accurate way of identifying it.

Common Names vs Botanical Names

Common names are the names most woodworkers recognise:

  • Oak
  • Walnut
  • Maple
  • Cherry
  • Ash
  • Beech

However, common names can sometimes be confusing because different countries may use the same name for different trees. The botanical name identifies the exact species.

For most hobby woodworking projects, the common name is enough, but understanding botanical names becomes more useful when comparing imported hardwoods or choosing specialist timbers.

Timber Density Explained

Density describes how heavy a piece of timber is compared with its size.

It is usually measured in:

  • kg/m³ (kilograms per cubic metre)
  • g/cm³ (grams per cubic centimetre)

A denser timber will generally feel heavier and may have different working characteristics compared with a lighter species.

For example:

  • Lime is lightweight and easy to carve.
  • Sycamore is a medium density hardwood suitable for many projects.
  • Oak is heavier and commonly used for furniture.
  • Ebony is extremely dense and often used for specialist applications.

Janka Hardness Explained

The Janka hardness rating is a measurement used to compare the hardness of different timbers.

The test measures the force required to push a small steel ball halfway into the surface of the wood.

A higher Janka rating generally means:

  • Better resistance to dents and wear
  • A harder working surface
  • Potentially more demanding machining

For hobby woodworkers, Janka hardness can be useful when choosing timber for:

  • Flooring
  • Worktops
  • Furniture
  • Tool handles
  • High-use items

For decorative furniture or small projects, appearance and workability are often just as important as hardness.

How Timber Is Cut From The Log

The way a log is sawn has a major effect on the appearance and stability of the finished boards. Different cuts reveal different grain patterns.

Through and Through / Plain Sawn Timber

Through and through sawing is one of the most common ways timber is converted. The log is cut straight through into boards, producing a mixture of grain patterns.

Advantages:

  • Good timber yield from the log
  • More economical
  • Commonly available

Appearance:

  • Cathedral grain patterns on wider boards
  • Mixture of flat and vertical grain

Common uses:

  • Furniture
  • Shelving
  • Joinery
  • General woodworking

Most commercially available hardwood boards are produced this way.

Quarter Sawn Timber

Quarter sawn boards are produced by first splitting the log into quarters and then cutting boards from each section. This creates boards where the growth rings meet the face of the board at a more vertical angle.

Benefits:

  • Increased stability
  • Straighter grain
  • Reduced movement

In some species, especially oak, quarter sawn timber reveals attractive medullary rays.

Common uses:

  • Fine furniture
  • Traditional cabinetmaking
  • Instrument making
  • High-quality joinery

Rift Sawn Timber

Rift sawn timber is cut at a specific angle to the growth rings.

It produces:

  • Very straight grain
  • Minimal figure
  • Excellent stability

Common uses:

  • Furniture components
  • Table legs
  • Modern cabinetry
  • Architectural joinery

Rift sawn boards are often chosen where a consistent, clean grain appearance is desired.

Understanding Board Terminology

When buying hardwood timber, you will often see descriptions relating to the edges, faces and grain direction.

Square Edge Boards

A square edge board has been sawn or machined so both edges are straight.

Benefits:

  • Easier to measure
  • Easier to machine
  • Suitable for most woodworking projects

Most hardwood boards sold for furniture making are square edged.

Live Edge Timber

Live edge timber keeps the natural outer edge of the tree.

This can include:

  • Natural curves
  • Bark
  • Growth features

Live edge boards are popular for:

  • Tables
  • Shelves
  • Decorative furniture
  • Resin projects

Every piece is unique because it follows the shape of the original tree.

Waney Edge Timber

Waney edge is a traditional timber term describing the irregular natural edge of a board. The edge may include bark or the outer shape of the tree. Although often used interchangeably with live edge, waney edge is the more traditional timber merchant term.

Face Grain, Edge Grain and End Grain

Face Grain

The largest visible surface of the board. This is normally the surface that shows the main colour and figure.

Edge Grain

The grain visible along the thickness of the board. This can help identify grain direction and how the board was cut.

End Grain

The exposed end of the board showing the growth rings. End grain behaves differently because it absorbs moisture and finishes more readily.

This is why:

  • End grain chopping boards are popular
  • End grain requires extra finishing
  • Timber ends often need sealing during drying

Timber Forms Explained

Hardwood is supplied in several different forms depending on its intended use.

Hardwood Boards

The most common form of timber.

Used for:

  • Furniture
  • Shelves
  • Cabinetmaking
  • General woodworking

Available in different:

  • Thicknesses
  • Widths
  • Lengths

Boules

A boule is a complete log that has been sawn into boards but kept together in sequence. This allows the original grain pattern to be followed through the boards.

Benefits:

  • Matching boards
  • Book matching possibilities
  • Better understanding of the log

Often used by:

  • Cabinetmakers
  • Veneer makers
  • Specialist furniture makers

Timber Slabs

Slabs are large sections cut from a log, often retaining natural edges.

Common uses:

  • Dining tables
  • Shelves
  • Benches
  • Statement furniture

Turning Blanks

Turning blanks are smaller pieces prepared for woodturning.

Common examples:

  • Pen blanks
  • Bowl blanks
  • Spindle blanks
  • Bottle stopper blanks

They allow makers to buy suitable sizes without purchasing large boards.

See our range of woodturning blanks for project-sized pieces of hardwood.

Understanding Timber Drying

Freshly cut timber contains a large amount of moisture. Before timber is used for indoor woodworking, it needs to be dried.

Green Timber

Green timber is freshly cut timber that has not been dried.

Characteristics:

  • High moisture content
  • More movement as it dries
  • Not normally suitable for indoor furniture

Green timber is often used for:

  • Traditional green woodworking
  • Outdoor projects
  • Specialist turning

Air Dried Timber

Air drying uses natural airflow to remove moisture.

Advantages:

  • Traditional method
  • Slow drying can produce attractive timber

Disadvantages:

  • Takes time
  • Moisture content depends on conditions

Kiln Dried Timber

Kiln drying uses controlled heat and airflow to dry timber.

Benefits:

  • More predictable moisture content
  • Suitable for indoor furniture
  • Ready for most workshop projects

Most hardwood sold for furniture making is kiln dried.

Part Seasoned Timber

Part seasoned timber is between green and fully dried. It may need further drying before being used for fine indoor work.

Timber Moisture Content

Moisture content is the percentage of water remaining inside the timber.

For most indoor woodworking in UK homes, timber is typically dried to around 8–12% moisture content.

The ideal moisture content depends on:

  • Location
  • Indoor environment
  • Project type

Timber Measurements Explained

Timber is sold in different ways depending on the country and supplier.

Cubic Metres (m³)

In the UK timber industry, hardwood is commonly sold by volume.

The calculation is: Length × Width × Thickness = Volume

Example:

A board 2.4m long, 150mm wide, 50mm thick.

2.4 × 0.15 × 0.05 = 0.018m³

Cubic Feet (ft³)

Cubic feet is an older imperial measurement. Some timber suppliers still use it, especially when dealing with imported hardwoods or specialist stock.

Board Foot

Board feet are mainly used in North America.

One board foot equals: 12 inches × 12 inches × 1 inch

It is not commonly used by UK hobby woodworkers, although it is often mentioned in American woodworking videos and books.

Timber Sold By Weight

Some unusual timber products are sold by weight rather than volume.

Examples:

  • Burl/burr wood
  • Highly irregular pieces
  • Small specialist turning material
  • Very dense exotic timbers

This is because irregular shapes are difficult to measure accurately by volume.

Final Thoughts

Understanding timber terminology makes choosing wood much easier.

You do not need to become a timber expert before starting a project, but knowing the basics helps you choose the right material, understand what you are buying and get better results in the workshop.

Whether you are looking for hardwood boards for furniture, turning blanks for the lathe, tonewoods for instruments or project timber for your next idea, choosing the right wood is the first step towards a successful build.

If you are unsure which timber is suitable for your project, ask us. We are always happy to help you choose the right species, size and format.

FAQ

What is the difference between live edge and waney edge timber?

Both describe timber that keeps the natural edge of the tree. Live edge is the term commonly used by makers and furniture builders, while waney edge is the traditional timber merchant term.

Is hardwood always harder than softwood?

No. Hardwood and softwood describe the type of tree, not simply the hardness. Some softwoods are harder than some hardwoods.

What does kiln dried timber mean?

Kiln dried timber has been dried in a controlled environment to reduce moisture content and make it suitable for woodworking.

What is quarter sawn timber?

Quarter sawn timber is cut from the log in a way that creates straighter grain, increased stability and, in some species, attractive ray figure.

What moisture content should timber be for furniture?

Most indoor furniture timber in the UK is dried to approximately 8–12% moisture content.