Imperial Hardwood Architectural Products  - Wood Properties

WOOD IS A GREEN ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCT - A RENEWABLE RESOURCE

IMPORTANT STUFF:        click below to link to properties 

Woods on this page: 

Interior Woods on this page                      

                                  Alder

                                  AmPoplar

                                  Linden (basswood)

                                  Maple

                                  Red Oak

                                  Wood Overlays

Interior Paint Grade   

                                  Pine

                                  Knotty Pine

                                  Cedar

Alder      

Alder is a favorite in Western North America.  There are two major variations of Alder.  Character Alder or Knotty Alder has small knots. 

Clear Alder is more of stain grade product.

All About American Poplar        

It is a hardwood. The tree is fast growing producing mostly white wood. However, there are some green streaks in the appearance. White is not guaranteed. It can be stained but is generally paint grade. It tends to be quite hairy. American Poplar is an excellent base for a wood overlay. 

FAQ: Is there a better wood to stain or clear coat?

Maple is a good alternative for clear coating or staining light colors. This is due to the fact that there is not the green tinge or streaks in Maple and the stain does not absorb too deep expanding the wood fibers. Like American Poplar, Maple is also a hardwood in spite of its' name implying that it is a softwood (it is softer than Northern Hard maple). Maple is not as

hairy, thus a smoother texture to provide even staining. 

FAQ: Will the American Poplar be consistent in color?

No: There are green tinges or even pieces that are very green in color.  American Poplar is sold as is within the product mix. 

Remember all wood is a natural product and there are always variances in color and grain texture from piece to piece or within one run. No two pieces are identical.  

Cherry            

  It is an expensive hardwood for furniture making.

  The tree is slow growing producing mostly red brown wood. Cherry stains well.

  There is a mix of sapwood and heartwood for most manufactured goods.

FAQ: Is there an alternative to using expensive Cherry?

Yes: Consider using Northern Soft Maple and staining it with a cherry stain.  The trained eye will notice the difference, however it will be slight. 

FAQ: How can i get greater consistency in Cherry?

For Columns: Heartwood is a premium cut (outer part of tree that is red) with no sapwood (inner part of the log that is white).

When turning columns it is excellent for staining with this level of consistency.

For Moulding: There is usually a heartwood and sapwood mix for mouldings therefore there are color variances.

Remember all wood is a natural product and there are always variances in color and grain texture from piece to piece or within one run. No two pieces are identical.  

Maple           

Southern Soft Maple:   This wood comes mostly from the Southern USA.   It is very brown-red in color and has little grain. It is excellent for making kitchen cabinetry, furniture, and carvings.  Although the wood is very hard, it is softer than hard maple. Both are hardwoods.  The tree grows fast and can be harvested and is a renewable resource. It is excellent for painting and staining.  

SAP Maple:  This part of the tree is very white and has few color variations.

FAQ: Can I use Southern Soft Maple outside?

No:  It is not to be used for exterior applications as it will rot very quickly. For exterior use, one could consider Pine. The best wood for exterior use is Cedar.

FAQ: Are there variances in color and grain?

Yes: Remember all wood is a natural product and there are always variances in color and grain texture from piece to piece or within one run. No two pieces are identical.  

  Northern Soft Maple:

  This wood comes mostly from Southern Canada & northern USA.

  It is very white in color and has little grain. It is excellent for making kitchen cabinetry, furniture, and carvings. 

  Although the wood is very hard, it is softer than hard maple. Both are hardwoods.  The tree grows fast and can

  be harvested and is a renewable resource. It is excellent   for painting and staining.  

  Best Choice of Wood for Cabinetry & Kitchens

FAQ: Is there a more grainy wood to consider?

Yes: One could consider White Pine as it is has more grain but maintains a white appearance.

FAQ: Is there a wood with the same grain but darker?

Yes: One could consider southern soft maple as it resembles cherry but with less grain.

FAQ: Can I use Northern Soft Maple outside?

No:  It is not well suited to be used for exterior applications. For exterior use, one could consider Pine. The best wood for exterior use is Cedar.

FAQ: Are there variances in color and grain?

Yes: Remember all wood is a natural product and there are always variances in color and grain texture from piece to piece or within one run. No two pieces are identical.  

Sap Maple is the inner part of the log and is more white - premium priced  Heartwood Maple is the outer part of the log with greater variances

Red Oak         

Red Oak:  

It is a hardwood. The tree is slow growing producing mostly red brown wood.

Red oak is very hard and grainy. It appears to be rougher than other woods. 

When stained the grain is enhanced greatly. 

FAQ: Will my carvings in Red Oak be detailed?

Yes: but they will not be as refined as those done with Maple.  Red Oak is very hard and is difficult to get great results in carving.

Red Oak carvings are very beautiful because of their more rustic look.

FAQ: Are there variances in color and grain?

Yes: Remember all wood is a natural product and there are always variances in color and grain texture from piece to piece or within one run. No two pieces are identical.  

Linden Wood (Basswood)       

  Linden has the consistency of soft maple.   It is a type of basswood and is very white in color.

  There is little grain.  It is relatively soft and is easy   to carve unlike harder woods like oak.

  FAQ: How does it Stain?

  Due to it's white appearance and little grain, this wood paints very well. However for staining we would suggest Maple, Alder, or Oak.

  If you choose to stain Linden, be aware that it very porous and the wood cells will expand creating a rough appearance.  

  A harder wood like Maple, does not allow the stain to absorb in such a manner.  Some finishers suggest a mix of stain and glaze.

  The normal ratio of mixing glazing compound with the stain is one part glazing liquid to two parts of stain.

  Other finishers suggest shelac or other wood conditioners prior to staining.    Not recommended for clear coating.

FAQ: Are there variances in color and grain?

Yes: Remember all wood is a natural product and there are always variances in color and grain texture from piece to piece or within one run. No two pieces are identical.  

It is a hardwood. The tree is slow growing producing mostly white wood. White Pine is very hard with smooth grain.

FAQ: Are there variances in color and grain?

Yes: Remember all wood is a natural product and there are always variances

in color and grain texture from piece to piece or within one run. No two pieces are identical.  

All About Powdered Wood Overlays       

 Wood Overlays:

 A powdered wood overlay is applied to the surface of a wood base.  American Poplar is often used

 because of it's neutral light background.  This provides a high relief profile that can easily be

 stained or faux finished. 

MonRealeTM is a registerd Trade mark of White River Hardwoods: many patterns of powdered wood overlays

FAQ: How is it made?

The wood overlay is actual wood powder mixed with a bonding agent. This product is not made

from molds, it is actually poured onto the surface of the wood. Know as "comp", patterns are

regular but there can be slight variations due to the manufacturing process. 

FAQ: How does it Stain?

The wood overlay stains very well especially with darker colors.  Because the wood overlay is

different than the base wood, a couple of coats of stain would have to be employed.  Clear coating

of a wood overlay and the American Poplar base would amplify the color variances.  Light color

stains would have to be applied a few times to mute the color of the overlay.

FAQ: Am I wasting money by ordering the Overlay on Mahogany?

Probably yes: Since most of the background wood is covered by the overlay, most of the expensive

background wood will not be seen.  If mahogany is used, for example, the wood overlay will be lighter

in color to the background wood.   This may not be a problem if darker stains are used.

FAQ: Are there variances in color and grain of the base wood?

Yes: Remember all wood is a natural product and there are always variances

in color and grain texture from piece to piece or within one run. No two pieces are identical.  

FAQ: Is there something you can tell me about commercial wiping stains?

Yes: Always read the manufacturer's warning labels and recommended uses.

Remember, Stains are chemicals and they act differently with variable products.

Stains can be applied with a brush or rag.  If you use a rag, when you are finished with it

do not throw it into a bag (sealed or otherwise), or let multiple rags pile up. 

Stains with linseed oil in them can spontaneously combust - yes catch fire

before your eyes!   Dispose of rags inside a metal can filled with water.

Take it to a site for hazardous wastes for disposal once your project is finished.

Never through old stains or solvents down the sink or toilet.