Species

Like all natural materials, variations in color, texture and grain occur in wood ceilings. Understanding the differences between species, between grades, between solid and veneer can influence a wood ceiling budget and design. The complexity of understanding the cost impact of each design decision, including LEED credits, can be intimidating.

Several resources are available for further study and resource. We recommend:

Architectural Woodwork Standards, Edition 1; www.awinet.org. This is the bible for the architectural-millwork trades, whose standards can be usefully applied to wood ceilings.
Hardwood Plywood Handbook, HPVA (Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association); www.hpva.org. This industry association is a great resource for understanding architectural veneers, species, slicing, veneer matching, cores, etc.

Common Wood Species

Below is a table of our most common wood species. If you would like to specifiy a specie not list, please get in touch. We are typically able to source nearly any specie not CITES-listed (see this link).

Specie	Variation (Flat)	Variation (Vertical)	Solid Cost	Veneer Cost	Exterior	FSC®
Alder	3High	2Medium	2$$	2$$	0	1
Anegre	2Medium	3High	3$$$	3$$$	0	0
Carbonized Bamboo	2Medium	2Medium	2$$	3$$$	0	1
Cherry	3High	3High	3$$$	2$$	1	1
Douglas Fir	3High	3High	1$	2$$	1	1
English Sycamore	2Medium	2Medium	3$$$	3$$$	0	1
European Steamed Beech	2Medium	2Medium	2$$	2$$	0	1
Khaya African Mahogany	2Medium	3High	2$$	1$	0	1
Makore	2Medium	2Medium	3$$$	3$$$	0	0
MDF	1Low	1Low	1$	0N/A	0	1
Natural Ash	3High	3High	2$$	1$	0	1
Natural Bamboo	2Medium	2Medium	2$$	3$$$	0	1
Natural Maple	3High	3High	2$$	1$	0	1
Pacific Albus	3High	3High	1$	0N/A	0	1
Red Oak	3High	2Medium	2$$	1$	0	1
Sapele	2Medium	2Medium	3$$$	3$$$	0	0
Teak	2Medium	2Medium	3$$$	3$$$	1	1
Walnut	3High	2Medium	3$$$	2$$	0	0
Western Hemlock	2Medium	2Medium	1$	3$$$	1	1
Western Red Cedar	3High	3High	2$$	3$$$	1	1
White Ash	2Medium	2Medium	3$$$	1$	0	1
White Birch	2Medium	2Medium	3$$$	2$$	0	1
White Maple	2Medium	2Medium	2$$	1$	0	1
White Oak	3High	2Medium	2$$	2$$	1	1

Veneer Cuts

	Rotary Sliced Rotary sliced veneer is created by mounting a log centrally in a lathe and turning against a blade, like unwinding a roll of paper. Because this slice follows the log's annular growth rings, a bold variegated grain marking is produced. Rotary-sliced veneer can be exceptionally wide.
	Plain (flat) Sliced Plain (or flat) sliced veneer is created by mounting a half log with the heart side floating against the guide plate of a slicer. The slicing is done parallel to a line through the center of the log, producing a variegated figure.
	Quarter Sliced Quarter sliced veneer is created by mounting a quarter log on a guide plate so that the growth rings of the log strike the blade at approximately right angles, producing a series of stripes that are straight in some woods and varied in others. In Oak, this slicing can produce unlimited amounts of medullary ray.
	Rift Sliced Rift sliced veneer is unique to various species of Oak. The rift or comb grain effect is obtained by slicing perpendicular to the Oak's medullary rays on either a lathe or a slicer. Medullary ray cells are distinct characteristics of Oak that radiate from the center of the log like the curved spokes of a wheel. Rift slicing limits the appearance of the medullary ray flake and produces a rather straight grain. Comb grain is a further hybrid selected from the rift slice.
*Veneer descriptions above taken from Architectural Woodwork Standards, Edition 1. Illustrations from AWI Quality Standards, 8th Edition and used with permission.