Timber selection matters more than you think
Choosing the wrong timber for the job is one of the quickest ways to undermine your work. Boards move. Grain direction matters. Moisture content changes everything. If these aren’t considered at the start, joints open, panels cup, and finishes fail—no matter how well the work is made.
Understanding where the timber came from in the tree is just as important as knowing what species it is.
Not all trees or timbers behave the same
Deciduous (hardwoods)
Derived from the Latin deciduus, meaning 'to fall off'. These trees lose their leaves in winter and are generally prized for furniture and joinery thanks to their strength, stability, and appearance.
Coniferous (softwoods)
From the Latin for “cone-bearing”. Generally, evergreen trees with needles are typically faster growing and widely used for construction, interior joinery, and painted work.
Neither is “better” – they simply suit different jobs.
Matching the timber to the job
✓ Exterior work – Durable species chosen for longevity and resistance to decay
✓ Interior joinery – Clean softwoods or poplar for painted mouldings and skirtings
✓ Furniture – Timber selected for colour, grain, texture, and tone
✓ Tool handles – Straight grain with toughness and shock resistance
✓ Workbenches – Heavy, strong, and hard-wearing timber that won’t move excessively
Good work starts with timber that’s appropriate for how and where it will be used.
Moisture content: the detail that makes or breaks a project
Moisture content dictates how timber will behave once it’s worked.
✓ Green timber – Over 30%; easy to work and turn, but unstable and prone to rot
✓ 30% MC – Fibre saturation point; shrinkage begins below this level
✓ Exterior joinery – Air-dried timber at 13%–19%
✓ Unheated interiors (churches, lime buildings) – 12%–14%
✓ Modern heated homes – 9%–11%
✓ Highly heated or air-conditioned spaces – 6%–8%
Ignoring moisture content is one of the most common causes of failure in woodworking.
Peter Sefton’s advice
“Use timber of the correct moisture content for the environment it will live in.”
Wood Workers Workshop owner Peter Sefton is a Master Craftsman and furniture maker who has over 40 year’s woodworking experience. He spent more than two decades teaching and mentoring students, running his own furniture-making school and advising woodworkers on timber selection and workshop practice.
The takeaway
Selecting the right timber—and allowing for its movement—is the foundation of every successful project. Get it right at the start, and the work that follows becomes easier, more accurate, and far more satisfying.