In commercial construction, the choice of building materials forms the backbone of structural integrity, aesthetic appeal, and sustainability. Wood, a timeless and versatile material, stands as a cornerstone in commercial construction, offering an array of options that balance functionality, durability, and design. Here's your quick guide to the most popular types of wood for commercial construction.
What Are the Most Popular Types of Wood for Commercial Construction?
Ash
Ash is an incredibly useful type of hardwood for commercial projects. The straight grain and light color of ash wood make it an excellent choice for cabinetry and millwork in commercial settings. Its strength-to-weight ratio also makes ash wood suitable for creating sturdy yet visually appealing furniture in office spaces. The versatility, strength, and aesthetic appeal of ash wood makes it a reliable choice across various applications in commercial construction, contributing both functionally and aesthetically to the built environment.
Spruce
Spruce was once more popular in furniture construction. However, spruce has many different applications when used in commercial construction projects. One of the primary applications of spruce wood in commercial construction is for structural framing. It's commonly used in wall framing, roof trusses, and floor joists due to its strength-to-weight ratio, which provides stability while keeping the overall structure relatively light.
While spruce wood may not have the same level of diversity in application as some other types of wood, its strength, availability, and affordability make it a practical choice for several crucial elements within commercial construction projects.
Pine
Pine is popular in the construction industry because it's readily available. These trees are fast-growers – and more sustainable to farm in North America. Similar to ash and alder wood, pine is softer and lighter and a preferred structural wood. Other qualities make it perfect for commercial projects like furniture or framing.
Cedarwood
Cedar is known as a fragrant wood, but that's not the only quality that makes this wood a special type. Cedar's ability to be milled into various shapes and its natural resistance to decay make it suitable for millwork and trim applications, especially in settings where moisture resistance is crucial.
Characteristics of cedarwood include:
- strength
- ability to withstand tension: the perfect element for many commercial construction projects.
- Most resistant to decay
Teak
Teak is a heavier wood and is used for many construction projects. Although heavier by weight than other types of wood, such as pine, it is often preferred for its strength and sustainability. In some upscale commercial constructions, teak wood might be used for architectural elements such as beams, columns, and decorative paneling due to its strength and aesthetic appeal.
Plywood
Plywood is made in factories where sheets of wood are laminated together. This is one of the best types of wood for commercial construction projects where lightness, strength, and budget are important factors to think about. Many plywood types are high-quality and prove to be great as a sustainable option for the future. In commercial settings like offices, retail spaces, and hotels, plywood is often used for crafting cabinets, shelves, and custom millwork due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness.
Alder
Alder wood is mostly associated with the creation of guitars. However, this type of wood gained popularity for its natural beauty of light brown color and subtle grain pattern and has become more popular in the commercial construction industry in the past 20. Alder wood's straight grain and moderate color variations make it suitable for paneling and wall coverings in commercial interiors, adding a touch of warmth and character to spaces.
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