You're buying furniture for your home. Well, knock on wood!

Ok, but what kind of wood? There's a large selection of hard and soft woods to choose from, including oak and pine, and with the addition of hybrids and other genetically engineered lumber, it is getting harder to make a selection amongst the myriad of woods on the market. This article will give you clues on how to determine what type of wood is best for your needs and likes.

There is one main difference between hard and soft woods. Trees that generate soft wood are conifers. These evergreens have needles that remain year round. Examples are pine, cedar, and spruce. Hardwood comes from broad leaf trees, such as oak, that loose their leaves annually. Other examples of hardwood are birch, maple, mahogany and hickory.

While many people think softwood is the complete opposite of hardwood, there are many overlapping characteristics. Although hardwood is generally harder than softwood, some species are actually softer. For example, Balsa--a type of hardwood--is softer than pine. A softwood called "yew", which is actually a poisonous evergreen, has the density of hardwood. Alderwood, a hardwood, comes from a broad-leafed tree and yet it is substantially softer and weaker than pine.

The classic designs from Greene & Greene are usually constructed from solid mahogany or cherry. This type of wood usually has a beautifully figured closed grain and bears a reddish-brown color that darkens over time. Mahogany is very durable and is the preferred material used in the construction of boats; it is also among the most expensive types of wood. There are many types of mahogany. One inferior type is known as Philippine mahogany; this wood is inexpensive, soft, and not very durable. The use of this species is only acceptable as a decorative top veneer layer on plywood.

Authentic Mission style furniture is usually constructed from solid quarter sawn White Oak. White Oak is known as being "barrel tight" because of the fiber that grows within the grain of the tree that makes it strong enough to prevent leaking (for example) through a barrel. Other reliable solid oak includes Siberian oak and American Red Oak. The unique specks (a.k.a. "ray fleck") that make quarter sawn oak so valuable is the protein that runs perpendicular to the growth rings on a lumber log. This protein makes the wood more stable and it gives the finished product a distinctive aesthetic. The most productive craftsmen, the Amish, hand pick the lumber to go into quarter sawn parts. The left over oak that is not quarter sawn will likely be used for drawer sides or other parts that don't require quarter sawn oak.

More recently, however, on some high end pieces, drawer sides have been constructed of aromatic cedar, which has its benefits. Cedar repels moths, is aesthetically beautiful, and leaves behind a fresh smell. After years of use however, cedar can oxidize and the smell may diminish. Sanding the cedar can revitalize it. Cedar is fantastic for all the reasons listed above; however, it is a soft wood so keep in mind that for the most durable drawers, hardwood construction is still the best.

Pine is a beautiful softwood known mostly for its attractive knots, but knots are actually signs of weakness in the wood. Nevertheless, a pine knot is stronger than a knot in oak furniture, which would probably fall out. To make sure the knot in your furniture isn't going to eventually fall out, a good test is to scratch around the edge of it. You are feeling for a ridge which would mean that there is bark present that might cause the knot to fall out. Pine is perfect for achieving a rustic look in your home, and it's usually the knots that add to its beauty. Recently pine farmers are growing pine without knots. These genetically engineered trees are being farmed to grow fast and without low branches, for ease of harvest.

Rubberwood is a hardwood that was discovered during the 16th century in Brazil, however, it's being farmed in Thailand and China. The sap from this tree has been used for many things from tires to rubber gloves. Rubberwood features a nice grain, is very durable, and is widely used in furniture from Vietnam, Thailand and China. Its quality is comparable to oak, as it is stronger than some hardwoods.

Plywood is a structurally strong material that is very durable and makes good economic sense to use under certain circumstances, although not as strong as solid wood. It's a panel made up of multiple layers, sometimes including particle board and solid wood. If it has particle board as an interior layer, it is an inferior product. Plywood is often used for drawer sides because of its sturdiness.

Furniture made of solid wood will give you the most use, as it is more durable and inherently stronger than veneer, but the later has gotten a bad rap. Although it is not as resilient as solid wood, Veneer is a good alternative for pieces that don't get much use. It can be very attractive and it is available in many styles and stains, especially darker ones. In determining quality, what's important to consider what's beneath the veneer. The best case scenario would be to have solid wood under the veneer. Not so good is softwood under the veneer. The worst would be particle board under the veneer. The construction of the veneer furniture can also be of questionable quality. It is recommended to purchase furniture that does not require assembly. If you notice that the piece is constructed of veneer and only features that decorative layer of veneer on one side, be prepared to not have that piece for very long. When moisture is absorbed by wood unevenly on one side only, it will swell and the board will warp. Even solid wood needs to be finished on both sides to prevent warping.

So when you are shopping for furniture, keep in mind not only the look you want, but the use of the pieces you are buying. Remember that solid wood, like oak and mahogany, is a very good investment because it will last a long time and will add charm and distinction to your home.