Back Species

The species of face and back for your panel is again your choice, depending on the desired look. If you want to stain a panel surface to look like cherry or ebony, maple would be a good choice as it takes a variety of stains well and is relatively free of surface characteristics like discoloration, stain, and dark knots.

The (Species Guide) list includes both hardwood and softwood species. For the purpose of this guide, all species from both classifications are considered to be decorative. In this context, the only difference between hardwood and softwood species is their individual aesthetic appearance and selection of any species from either group is entirely a matter of taste. Decorative species, whether hardwood or softwood, are not specified or sold for their engineering or physical properties, but rather for their appearance only. This may be a bit confusing because typical use for softwood species, typically referenced as SPF (spruce, pine, fir), is construction applications where physical properties are of greater importance. Hardwood and Decorative Softwood surfaced panel products are sold exclusively for their aesthetic appearance and are not considered structural in nature.

Thus, if a rich, lustrous ‘old world’ furniture look is desired, good choices may include walnut, cherry, or mahogany, all from the hardwood group of tree species. On the other hand, if the specifier visualizes a rustic, early American pioneer appearance, her choices may include knotty white pine or knotty western pine, both softwoods, or spalted maple or wormy chestnut, both hardwoods.

To learn more, please download a copy of our Species Guide. The only difference between hardwood and softwood species is their individual aesthetic appearance, and selection of any species from either group is entirely a matter of taste. Decorative species, whether hardwood or softwood, are not specified or sold for their engineering or physical properties, but rather for their appearance only. This may be a bit confusing because typical use for softwood species, typically referenced as SPF (spruce, pine, fir), is construction applications where physical properties are of greater importance. Hardwood and Decorative Softwood surfaced panel products are sold exclusively for their aesthetic appearance and are not considered structural in nature.

Thus, if a rich, lustrous ‘old world’ furniture look is desired, good choices may include walnut, cherry, or mahogany, all from the hardwood group of tree species. On the other hand, if the specifier visualizes a rustic, early American pioneer appearance, their choices may include knotty white pine or knotty western pine, both softwoods, or spalted maple or wormy chestnut, both hardwoods.