Cherry wood is a popular choice for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry due to its attractive grain pattern and warm, reddish-brown color. However, like any wood, it has both advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the main ones:
Advantages:
- Attractive appearance: Cherry wood has a warm, rich color that darkens over time and a distinct grain pattern, making it a popular choice for high-end furniture and cabinetry.
- Durability: Cherry wood is a durable hardwood that resists wear and tear, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas like floors.
- Workability: Cherry wood is easy to work with, making it a favorite of woodworkers. It takes well to both hand and machine tools and is easy to sand, shape, and stain.
- Stability: Cherry wood is less prone to warping and splitting than other hardwoods, making it a good choice for outdoor applications like decks and porches.
- Sustainability: Cherry wood is a renewable resource and is widely available, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive: Cherry wood is more expensive than some other hardwoods, which can make it difficult for those on a tight budget.
- Softness: Cherry wood is a relatively soft hardwood, which means it can be prone to dents and scratches if not properly cared for.
- Color variation: Cherry wood can vary in color depending on the part of the tree it comes from, which can make it difficult to match pieces of furniture or cabinetry.
- Sensitivity to light: Cherry wood is sensitive to light and can darken or lighten over time, which can affect its appearance.
Cherry wood vs other similar woods
| Property | Cherry Wood | Mahogany | Walnut | Maple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density (kg/m³) | 580-650 | 495-850 | 550-690 | 510-720 |
| Hardness (Janka scale) | 995 | 830-1,080 | 1,010 | 1,450 |
| Grain pattern | Attractive | Straight, Interlocking | Straight | Fine, uniform |
| Stainability | Good | Moderate | Good | Excellent |
| Durability | Good | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Susceptibility to warping | High | Low | Low | Low |
| Cost | High | High | High | Moderate |
Note: The values presented in the table are approximate and may vary depending on the source and specific type of wood.
Intresting facts about cherry wood
- Cherry wood has been used for furniture making for centuries, dating back to the early 18th century.
- The color of cherry wood can deepen over time, developing a rich, warm patina that adds to its beauty.
- In Japanese culture, cherry blossoms are highly revered, and cherry wood is often used to make traditional Japanese furniture and decorative items.
- In medieval times, cherry wood was believed to have healing properties and was used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.
- The bark of the cherry tree is often used in traditional medicine as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.
- Cherry wood has a distinct fragrance that is often described as sweet and fruity.
- The wood is highly resistant to decay and insect infestations, making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture and decking.
- Cherry wood is used in the production of high-end kitchen utensils, such as cutting boards and rolling pins, because of its durability and natural anti-bacterial properties.
- The wood is also used in the production of wine barrels, as it does not impart any off-flavors or aromas to the wine.
- Cherry wood is a popular choice for decorative turning, carving, and engraving because of its fine, even texture and attractive grain patterns.
