Cherry Wood vs. Oak Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Both cherry<\/a> and oak are big name stars in the wood type arena. Each have their own characteristics that make them unique, and each have their advantages and disadvantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cherry wood is luxurious and strong, with a need to be handled with care. Cherry could be considered an elegant lady among solid hardwoods.<\/p>\n\n\n Oak wood<\/a> is strong with a prominent wood grain that grabs attention. It’s relied on for heavy use that can handle the workload. Oak could be considered the worker or the artist among wood types<\/a> with the strength and wild grain pattern it combines.<\/p>\n\n\n Elegant cherry wood furniture is timeless and classic. It touches a room with its range of reddish brown tones, its smooth wood grain and its natural glow. Cherry wood<\/a> furniture emanates beauty from every angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amish woodworkers crafting fine wood furniture like working with cherry wood for the following reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cherry wood brings rich colors to furniture that range from light blonde to reddish brown. The heartwood (wood closest to the center of the cherry tree log) and sapwood (the outer portion of the log) contribute rich cherry colors. The heartwood is a light pinkish brown that becomes a rich red brown color over time. The sapwood offers a creamy yellow color. Cherry wood colors vary from tree to tree. The color of the wood will darken to a rich patina over time with exposure to light. This darkening happens even after the stain is applied. The degree of darkening varies from tree to tree. This intriguing natural characteristic of cherry wood is loved by some and disliked by others. As a general rule, it is always recommended to consider the placement of new solid cherry wood furniture, and to try to keep it out of direct sunlight due to its natural darkening. Even if you love the darkening process, you\u2019ll want to monitor the sun exposure to be sure cherry furniture darkens evenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those who associate red colors with cherry wood, rich red hues have more to do with the choice of stain the wood is finished with than the natural cherry wood colors. Cherry wood has its own subtle red brown shade that works well with reddish stains.<\/p>\n\n\n The opposite of oak grain, cherry wood grain is a fine, closed, straight, simple, uniform wood grain with a smooth texture that\u2019s often compared to maple wood<\/a>. Mineral deposits (small black spots that occur randomly), gum pockets, occasional knots and pith flecks (worm tracks that create a brown streak) can occur in cherry wood, adding to its texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cherry wood strength is substantial. While it\u2019s classified as a \u201csofter\u201d hardwood, cherry wood is still a hardwood and it\u2019s no wimp. Cherry remains strong and durable over time. The Janka Hardness scale used to rate the hardness of wood rates the hardness of cherry at 950, which is a bit lower than walnut<\/a> and maple, but higher than pine wood<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n *The Janka Hardness Test measures the force needed to embed a .444 inch steel ball half of its diameter into a piece of wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The \u201csofter\u201d nature of cherry means a closer eye must be kept on it. Cherry wood furniture can sustain nicks or dents more easily than other solid hardwoods used for furniture. Cherry wood furniture pieces must be careful in high traffic areas or if they are used every day.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"Amish](\"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Amish-Shaker-Dining-Table.jpg\")
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<\/a>Cherry Wood Characteristics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Cherry Wood Color<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Cherry Wood Grain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cherry Wood Strength<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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