Which floors are more valuable: oak, beech or ash. Which is better, oak or ash? Methods of decorative surface treatment and how they affect cost

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The main parameters by which industrial wood is selected for furniture production: strength, resistance to deformation, wear resistance. All these three qualities are combined into one indicator - wood density, that is, the ratio of the mass of the tree to its volume.

Types of wood depending on density:

A) Soft (up to 540 kg/m3) – spruce, pine, aspen, linden, fir, poplar, chestnut, alder, cedar;

B) Hard (550-740kg/m3) – larch, birch, oak, elm, beech, sycamore, Walnut, maple, apple, ash;

C) Very hard (from 750 kg/m3) – iron birch, rowan, white acacia, hornbeam, dogwood, boxwood, pistachio tree.

Let's consider the breeds most in demand in furniture production:

1. Pine

Wood color– brown, beige-yellow, white with light pink streaks. The best material for making furniture is considered to be pine trees growing on hills with sandy soils or on dry hills. In such wood, the annual layers will be pronounced and narrow, close to each other. Pine grown in an area with high humidity will have a loose structure, and blanks from it will have to be dried for a long time before being put into production. Pine wood is soft, easily scratched and damaged.

Pros:

  • flexibility in processing. Pine is easily planed along the grain, but difficult to plan in the transverse direction. When cutting, the opposite is true—a log cuts across easily, but poorly along lengths.
  • easy to glue;
  • depending on the color and structure of the wood, pine is used both for making furniture with subsequent varnishing, and for frames, and various designs with hardwood veneer veneer;
  • like all conifers, it has a pleasant smell and releases phytocindes, which are considered medicinal.

2. Spruce

Spruce wood is softer than pine. In addition, the trunk contains a large number of knots that make it difficult to process wood for the manufacture of furniture panels. Compared to pine, spruce absorbs moisture better and begins to rot faster. Due to its inexpressive texture and low strength, spruce is most often used for mosaic finishing or in structures that do not experience significant loads during operation.
Pros:

  • spruce wood is practically not subject to warping;
  • sticks well.

Along with spruce, Siberian fir is also used - these two trees have similar indicators.

3. Larch

The wood of this coniferous tree valued for its unusual reddish-brown hue and high performance. From disadvantages of larch– a large amount of resins, which quickly damages tools and causes difficulties in processing. At improper drying Internal cracks form on larch wood.

Pros:

  • high moisture resistance;
  • excellent strength indicators (the best among conifers);
  • little subject to warping;
  • used for making carved parts.

4. Cedar

Yellowish-white cedar wood is not very strong and dense, so it cannot withstand heavy loads.

Pros:

  • resistance to rot and wormhole;
  • suitable for carving;
  • has a specific woody aroma.

5. Yew

Red-brown with light and dark veins, yew wood has high strength, but also a large number of knots.
Pros:

  • not subject to wormhole,
  • easy to plan and sand,
  • insensitive to atmospheric changes.

6. Oak

On a radial section of an oak trunk, large pith rays and light sapwood are clearly visible. Oak is the most widely hardwood used in the manufacture of solid wood furniture due to its excellent combination of strength and beautiful texture. If an oak tree lies in water for a long time (several decades), its wood acquires a rare dark purple color with a green tint. Oak wood is difficult to polish and requires equipment with highly hardened cutters.

Pros:

  • despite the high viscosity of wood, it is processed quite well;
  • bends easily;
  • resistant to rotting;
  • lends itself well to artificial aging techniques.

7. Ash

Wood for many qualities looks like oak, but lighter and does not have pronounced medullary rays. Ash must be subjected to antiseptic treatment, since in humid conditions the wood is quickly damaged by wormholes. Poorly polished.

Pros:

  • bends well after steaming;
  • cracks little when dried;
  • When bleached, it acquires an unusual shade of gray hair.

8. Beech

Beech wood strength is not inferior to oak, but is highly hygroscopic, so it is not recommended for the manufacture of furniture that will be used in high humidity(bath, kitchen). Poorly polished.

Pros:

  • high decorative qualities: beautiful texture both in radial and tangential cuts,
  • quick to dry, does not crack;
  • easy to process: pricks, saws, cuts, bends;
  • bleaches perfectly and is painted using special solutions - practically does not change the beautiful natural shade when varnishing.

9. Hornbeam

It has hard, dense wood of a grayish-white color. It is often called white beech, but hornbeam has a less pronounced texture and often has a cross-ply structure, which makes the tree difficult to split.

Pros:

  • after proper drying, the hornbeam becomes harder than oak;
  • not subject to warping;
  • lends itself well to etching and finishing.

10. Common birch

Birch wood, despite its high density, is not resistant to rotting, therefore it is used primarily for the manufacture of plywood, peeled veneer, and chipboard. It takes a long time and doesn’t dry well, is susceptible to wormholes, cracks a lot, and warps.

Pros:

  • homogeneous structure and beautiful colour wood;
  • bends well;
  • in the production of solid wood furniture it is used as an imitation of valuable wood (it is well colored when etched).

Karelian birch is distinguished separately, which has higher performance indicators, is known for its unusual texture and pink wood. It is expensive, so it is used mainly for veneering solid wood furniture.

11. Maple

Despite the fact that it is dense Maple wood rarely cracks, He not resistant to dampness. Bird's eye and sugar maple are the most prized maples because of their characteristic beautiful structure.

Pros:

  • easy to prick, well processed: cut, polished;
  • has a homogeneous structure without pronounced fibers;
  • when painted, it successfully imitates valuable species;
  • Maple wood does not have a pronounced core, so it is easily painted, varnished, and stained.

12. Alder

Soft breed, without a pronounced structure. Alder wood quickly darkens in air, so it is used mainly in painted form (black or mahogany). Feature of alder: susceptible to wormhole in dry places, but resistant to rot in wet conditions.

Pros:

  • dries quickly,
  • easy to carpenter,
  • polishes well
  • warps slightly.

13. White acacia

The hardest hardwood, therefore, has high friction resistance and is elastic. In dry form it is difficult to process, so it is used mainly for facing soft rocks.

Pros:

  • perfectly polished;
  • When exposed to air, the wood darkens, causing the texture to acquire a bright yellow-brown color and expressive texture.

14. Walnut

How older tree, the more valuable and darker its wood. The most expensive variety is American black walnut.

Pros:

  • a wide variety of shades;
  • dense but malleable wood;
  • easy to paint, thanks to the high content of tannins (from ebony tint to even white color).

15. Linden

It is used in production for the production of figured turned elements. It contains little tannins, so it practically does not stain, but it can be stained very well (with the correct concentration of the solution, linden wood can be given the appearance of more valuable wood species). Needs to antiseptic impregnation, as it is highly susceptible to wormholes.

Pros:

  • resists moisture well,
  • wood is durable and plastic,
  • has a beautiful white and creamy hue.

As you can see, each wood has its own advantages and disadvantages, based on which you can choose a certain type for making furniture from solid wood.

What do you know about the tree? No, not about the trunks and shape of the leaves, but about the characteristics of the wood. What is stronger - oak or ash? Or maybe a beech tree?

Basic knowledge of the properties of wood species is very important when choosing the door you buy. That's why we'll tell you a little about them.

How to determine the value of a tree?

Let's start with the fact that each type of wood has a set of basic indicators that determine its value and suitability for use in a particular area.

The first sign of wood is hardness. The service life of the tree depends on it, as well as on its resistance to various loads. The degree of oxidation is important - that is, how much wood will darken under the influence of sun rays, and stability - the compatibility of different types of wood depends on it, for example, in parquet and inlays. Visual perception is influenced by texture and its appearance: More expressive patterns are valued higher and look more impressive. It should be remembered that the properties of wood are individual. They depend not only on the species, but also on the area where the tree grew.

Wood species

The main types of wood used in the production of doors are oak, beech, ash, walnut, cherry and mahogany.

Oak - This is a very dense, hard and heavy wood. Depending on the growing conditions, oak wood can have stunning contrasting shades: from bluish-gray and almost white to bright yellow, which allows it to fit into any interior. Oak tolerates moisture very well and is also durable. Expensive, but very practical for interior doors material.

It even surpasses oak in terms of strength characteristics. It is a heavy, strong, durable wood light shade. It “does not like” only contact with the ground, and is also poorly saturated, so it is almost never used for exterior finishing or construction. But for doors, such wood is ideal - it does not swell, does not dry out and lasts a very long time.

Beech also very durable. Its wood is an exquisite red-brown shade. Beech does not withstand loads and temperature changes very well, so it is not used outdoors. But its texture is very beautiful, it has a pronounced pattern of tree growth rings. This door looks great in a classic interior.

Refers to tree species medium density. According to its characteristics, it is very good for making furniture: it is not too heavy, and does not swell from moisture. A door made of solid wood or cherry veneer is easy to process and polish, and is resistant to temperature changes indoors. And of course, the color of this wood is most valued - from light beige to deep dark red-brown.

It is for the shade that the wood of the so-called mahogany . Typically, this name refers to breeds that have a rich burgundy-brown color. These rocks are very easy to process, so they are often used in decoration and decoration.

It's durable and very beautiful tree. Its texture is coarser than that of other species, which is why walnut wood is often used in finishing and veneering. Thanks to the texture, walnut doors look very original.

But no matter what wonderful properties wood has, it is not enough to simply cut down the tree and shape the door. Poor quality processing can ruin all the outstanding characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully select a reliable door manufacturer.

Material provided manufacturer of interior doors

Based on their performance characteristics and aesthetic indicators, we strongly recommend making your choice in favor of oak or ash. Both breeds have incomparable strength, flexibility, ductility, and excellent texture.

We work with oak, ash, larch, pine, beech, birch, spruce, as well as other types of wood. I have experience working with solid cherry, maple, linden, Canadian cedar, iroko, and teak. We use only high-quality selected wood of extra class and 1st grade, without chips, cracks, falling knots and other defects.

Based on the totality of strength, wear-resistant, and aesthetic indicators, the rock priority scale, from the point of view of professionals, is as follows (starting from the best indicators):

  • Ash
  • Larch
  • Birch
  • Pine

All wood undergoes multi-stage technological processing in order to enhance natural strength parameters and improve aesthetic qualities. We produce furniture panels from natural solid wood that have reliable performance characteristics: strength, stability of size and shape, resistance to warping and cracking. Therefore, for the customer, the criterion for choosing a wood species is:

  • personal aesthetic taste;
  • compliance of the wood texture with the chosen style and design of the furniture present in the room;
  • strength and durability of products.

Thanks to professional processing, the strength and performance qualities of solid wood are maximally stabilized. However, the selected breed still has an impact on the durability of the products.

When choosing a type of wood, the customer will have to focus on his taste preferences, evaluating furniture panels made from solid wood of various species.

Description and characteristics of furniture panels

The furniture panel is made from blocks of wood (lamellas), firmly glued together into a single panel rectangular shape. Depending on the gluing (connection) technology, spliced ​​and solid-lamella structures are distinguished.

  • Finger-joined furniture panels

This wood board, formed from identical wooden blocks glued along the width and spliced ​​along the length. Along the length, the lamellas are fused into a mini-tenon. Along the width they are glued together into a smooth fugue. The method is reliable and is used in the manufacture of standard products in 100% of cases.

Compared to solid-lamella structures, spliced ​​panels are considered more reliable, since the tension of the fibers in adjacent bars is uniform and, accordingly, the entire structure is more stable and durable.

  • Solid lamella furniture panels

This is a wood board formed from lamellas glued together only along the width. The gluing method is using a smooth fugue. The width of the lamellas is 40-45 or 25-30 mm. Thickness varies from 10 to 150 mm.

Compared to spliced ​​models, solid-lamella structures have a more uniform texture and color range, as they consist of fewer lamellas.

Choosing the type of wood for furniture panels

  • Oak shield

An exceptionally strong naturally-occurring material with a beautiful, uniform texture that maintains stability of shape and size during temperature changes and changes in humidity levels. When painted, it acquires a noble, uniform shade. It does not deform, is durable, and retains its aesthetic properties for decades. Practiced in the production of furniture and all types of interior decoration: window sills, tabletops, bar counters, stairs, wall and ceiling panels.

Investments in oak interior items are economically justified, since you get products that will last for centuries, plus the aesthetic pleasure of the magnificent texture. An unrivaled interior material in classic style. To save money, choose finger-jointed oak panels. If aesthetics are a priority, we recommend solid-lamella designs.

  • Ash shield

It is distinguished by a picturesque texture of predominantly light colors. Ash is not inferior in strength to oak. Due to the high density of fibers, the wood is very hard, so solid ash is difficult to cut. However, the products turn out to be practical and decoratively attractive. When tinted, the array acquires a brighter and more pronounced texture with an impressive variegated pattern. Just like oak, ash is suitable for making all types of interior products. Due to the complexity of processing, high strength and aesthetic characteristics, it is almost not inferior to oak in price.

Ash, like oak, has no disadvantages. Furniture panels made of ash are hard, dense, evenly chipped, and do not warp during use. If in your interior, instead of a classic style, you prefer finishing with a non-trivial, bold wood pattern, do not hesitate to choose an ash panel. To save money, we recommend the spliced ​​option. In terms of price, products made from finger-joint panels will cost approximately the same as those made from solid beech or larch, but in terms of strength, wear resistance and beauty, finger-jointed ash panels are significantly superior to beech and larch.

  • Larch shield

Wood has softness and uneven hardness of the fibers. The array contains layers with different densities. Because of this, when sanding a panel, it is impossible to achieve a consistently smooth surface, as is the case in oak or ash. There are resin pockets in the massif. The advantage of solid larch is high stability to moisture, as well as a low price.

Compared to oak and ash, the structure is more prosaic. We do not recommend larch for luxury interior products due to its modest, mediocre aesthetics, and also because the wood, due to its softness, is more susceptible to scratches and chips during use. However, if you choose between larch and pine, then performance qualities It is better to give preference to larch.

  • Beech shield

The tree is a strong species with a hard texture. It cuts and polishes well, but is susceptible to temperature changes. The array reacts to temperature changes of even 3-4 degrees, which increases the risk of deformation and warping. The change in fiber density under the influence of temperature can be felt tactilely, since in this case waves are formed on the surface. It is no coincidence that professionals classify the species as an ever-living tree.

The texture cannot be called pronounced, but it is uniform and has its own individuality. Working with an array is difficult. It is even more difficult, due to the unpredictability of the array's behavior, to guarantee the stability of its characteristics during operation. When choosing beech, consider the conditions under which the products will be used. The advantages of beech are high density, lower price than oak and ash.

  • Birch shield

Just like beech, the species belongs to the ever-living trees. The array responds to temperature and even lighting. The slightest changes in the surrounding space can provoke warping and end cracks. At the same time, the array is well cut and polished. Birch makes original interior compositions and decor. The heterogeneity of the structure is manifested in the uneven color of the surfaces.

The advantage of birch is its cost - the price of solid wood is 2-3-4 times cheaper than oak. However, we recommend that you think carefully before choosing birch products. The products have a distinctive decorative style, but are subject to a high risk of deformation.

  • Pine shield

Refers to soft tree species with pronounced oblique layers in the structure. Characterized by the presence in the array resin pockets, which remain noticeable even after repeated tinting. When sanding, due to the cross-layer, it is difficult to create a consistently flat surface and uniform color. Due to the fact that some of the fibers in the array are softer than others, waves may be present on the surface. Due to its softness, the rock is susceptible to chips and scratches, which are clearly visible on the surface. The same goes for spruce and other conifers.

For the price - the most cheap material from solid wood. However, the work (professional processing) is expensive, which makes the choice in favor of pine irrational. Since our masters are focused on high quality products (from the point of view of aesthetics and durability), we do not recommend pine for facades and solid interiors. Solid wood is suitable for making budget furniture and is not suitable for finishing wood surfaces on the front side.

Based on their performance characteristics and aesthetic indicators, we strongly recommend making your choice in favor of oak or ash. Both breeds have incomparable strength, flexibility, ductility, and excellent texture.

With versatile professional processing, products acquire various shapes and beautiful color scheme. The material cuts well, and therefore craftsmen cut out configurations of any complexity from it. The main advantages of oak and ash are durability and impeccable decorative appeal. In our work we use high-quality Decoration Materials, and therefore the products do not lose their environmental friendliness.

Oak is a plant of the beech family, the height of which reaches 50 meters, the diameter of the trunk is up to two meters. Well known for its acorns. Distributed almost throughout the entire territory of Russia. It grows slowly (on average 20 cm per year). Lives up to 1000 years. Ash is a plant of the olive family. (Its closest “relatives” are olive and lilac). The height reaches 40 meters, it is distinguished by a slender trunk and an openwork crown. Grows quickly. The most common species growing on the territory of Russia is common ash. Maximum age is 300 years.

Oak and ash from the point of view of materials science

Oak and ash are among the most valuable tree species. Let's list in more detail specifications oak and ash, and also consider the areas of their use.

First most important physical property wood is moisture. A cubic meter of freshly cut oak weighs 1.04 tons, and in an air-dry state (with a humidity of 10-12%) - 0.76 tons. The moisture content of wood used in carpentry production should not be higher than 12%. It is important that oak, like ash, is very demanding in terms of drying conditions. Rapid drying can lead to cracking of oak and ash wood. whether oak, ash or brick is thermal, sound and electrical conductivity. Dense tree species such as beech, oak or ash have higher thermal conductivity than less dense pine or birch. Therefore, oak and ash are used mainly in flooring and interior decoration, not in building walls. The sound conductivity of wood is much higher than that of other materials, so additional sound insulation of oak or ash partitions is necessary. The electrical conductivity of wood depends on its humidity and can change during operation depending on changes in air humidity in the room. Highly hygroscopic wood (such as beech) easily absorbs moisture from the air, as a result of which its size, shape and electrical conductivity can change. To reduce hygroscopicity wooden crafts cover protective paints, varnishes, etc. It should be noted that oak, like ash, are dense tree species, and their electrical conductivity does not change significantly with changes in room humidity. Let's point out mechanical properties oak and ash. 700 g/m3 and 680 g/m3 are the densities of oak and ash, respectively. The slight difference in density explains the similar mechanical properties of oak and ash. The wood of these trees is very hard and durable. According to the Brinnell method, the hardness of oak is 3.7, ash - 4. Floors made of oak or ash are distinguished by high wear resistance and resistance to mechanical stress. In addition, oak and ash wood has high value viscosity, which determines the property of these materials as flexibility. Without boring the consumer with numbers, let’s say that resistance to various loads, such as compression and tension, is very high for both oak and ash. The dense wood of oak and ash has high ability hold nails and screws, which is especially important for long-term use. Despite their resistance to fungal attack, we recommend that products made from oak, ash and other deciduous trees be coated with special protective agents before use.

Aesthetic properties of oak and ash

These include the color and texture of wood. In this respect, oak and ash are also somewhat similar. The color varies from light yellow to brown, only ash wood, unlike oak, does not have a characteristic greenish tint. The texture of oak and ash materials is almost the same, but its pattern is more pronounced in ash. Therefore, not oak, but ash is preferably used in mosaic typesetting floors.

Areas of application for oak and ash

First of all, this is the arrangement of luxurious, durable, warm, environmentally friendly and energetically healthy durable floors. Mature oak and ash trees are used in the production of carved and bent furniture. Due to its ability to turn to stone over time, oak, along with ash, invariably remains one of the most wear-resistant and durable building materials. Flexible and durable ash has found its use in the production of firearms, sports equipment and working tools. It is the favorite material of kings and designers.

It is unlikely that anyone would argue that an important part of any home is the floor. Coziness and comfort in our home directly depends on what type of flooring we choose: laminate, linoleum, carpet, parquet or solid wood. By the way, the last option is very tempting, because it is one of the most prestigious and attractive floor coverings. Wooden floors have always been an indicator of wealth, solidity and excellent taste of the owner of the house. Solid wood floors have fairly high performance properties. It is resistant to stress, environmentally friendly, durable, has an elegant appearance due to the pronounced wood texture and all the possibilities for creating a healthy microclimate in the house.

Oak floor boards - strength and durability

When choosing solid board, you should know that its wear resistance and long service life are determined by the type of wood used. Compared to parquet, solid floor boards are 1.5-2 times thicker, which significantly increases its service life. Since ancient times, oak and ash wood was used to create a reliable floor. , distinguished by its natural noble color, is indispensable when creating an interior in a classic style. High aesthetic qualities, durability, excellent thermal insulation properties They will bring warmth and tranquility to your home, and will also emphasize your impeccable taste. ideal for floors that will be subject to increased loads; it’s not for nothing that oak is called “eternal long-liver.” The material goes well with interior solutions, gives comfort and a feeling of harmony and unity with nature.

In terms of hardness, this type of wood occupies a leading position. Over the years it only gets stronger, and its natural beauty only intensifies. The natural texture of solid floorboards will add richness to any interior. So it will not leave any connoisseur of natural beauty indifferent.

Solid ash field board - exquisite durability

However, not only oak floor board enjoys overwhelming success. Along with it, many are also attracted. It is often used at all kinds of sports facilities. Properly dried, there are almost no shrinkage dates, it is minimally subject to deformation and pleases its owner for a very long time. And the contrasting pattern with smooth patterns of annual rings makes ash stand out from other species. It looks quite elegant, it does not catch the eye, but at the same time it is very impressive and presentable. Interiors in country, modern, classic, and retro styles will surprisingly benefit from being next to a similar coating, which beautifully plays with reflections in daytime and evening light.

Unpretentious. Changes in temperature and importance do not affect its characteristics and dimensions. The elasticity and hardness of ash allow you to install floor boards quickly and without extra effort. Solid ash floor board - the best choice for those who dream of admiring the beauty and unusualness of their interior for a long time.

So solid and ash is a promise bright decor, luxury and long service life. If a massive board is laid according to all the rules, it will look simply gorgeous.

Before you begin installing solid wood flooring, remove it from its packaging and stack it to allow it to absorb the humidity of the room before laying the floor. Work begins with screeding and waterproofing the floor. Laying is done on a dry and level base, designed to ensure the durability of the coating. The most best base- subfloor or plywood.

Several ways to lay solid floorboards

There are several methods for laying solid boards; before any of them, prepare the base for laying the covering using self-leveling mixtures or cement-sand screeds. Most often, laying solid boards using a plywood base is used; this method is the simplest. When installing the floor, the solid board needs to be “pulled”. The board is laid on a prepared base made of moisture resistant plywood along the screed and is attached using two-component glue and self-tapping screws from the side ends.. With all this, keep in mind that between the sheets of plywood themselves a gap of 3 mm must be left, and between the sheets and the walls of the room the gap must be about 10 mm. After laying, the massive board needs to be sanded. Before laying solid floorboards, do not forget to clean the base from dust.

A little effort and patience - and you will be able to show off to your guests a stunning floor that will give the entire interior a unique charm, and you will be in a great mood!

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