Gustafs’ guide to wood species

Introducing the rich and varied patterns and colours of our most popular wood veneers.

It’s no secret that we love wood; it is the cornerstone of everything we do. It’s our heritage, not to mention the heritage of the region in which we’re based; in Dalarna, central Sweden. This area is regarded as a natural treasure and we’re surrounded by beautiful forests. We are fortunate enough to work with architects and interior designers across the world who want to explore the beauty of wood for their projects.

Wood brings beauty, warmth and harmony to a space, and as part of the specification process, one of the most exciting discussion topics is when we start talking about wood species. In this article, we share some key points about the properties, colours and patterns of our most popular wood veneers. From oak to birch, this article will teach you how to tell the difference between them in no time.

Hardwood and softwood

Before looking at species, one important thing to remember is the difference between hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods generally reveal pores when they are cut, whereas softwoods don’t have the same type of cells that reveal pores. Because of the visible pores, the grain patterns of hardwoods are generally more prominent than those of softwoods.

Another thing to understand is that softwoods grow faster than hardwoods. Considering that the grain patterns are the traces of the trees’ annual growth, it makes sense that softwoods have a wider grain pattern – there is more growth each year – and hardwoods have a denser pattern, as they grow slower.

Oak

The most popular veneer is, as you may have guessed, Oak. Being a hardwood, Oak has a distinctive grain pattern. And it’s an open-grained wood; this means that it grows faster in spring and slower in summer, which gives it a beautiful variety in its composition. Oak ribs – as seen in the design of the rehabilitation centre linked below – bring a warm, natural look to interiors.

BGW Halle

Ash

Another open-grained wood species is Ash. Like Oak, its patterns are pronounced and it can give a beautiful rustic appearance. Compared to Oak it is paler, although it does get darker as it ages. Ash typically has a straight, smooth grain, and gives a more uniform appearance. The pale, typically Scandinavian appearance of Ash has been further highlighted in the congress hall linked below, using acoustic perforated panels in white pigmented ash.

Congress hall in ash

Walnut

There are many varieties of Walnut, however, the veneer that is the most popular on our panels is English Walnut, which is open-grained and therefore has a strong and well-defined grain texture. It displays an irregular but straight grain, and the colour of its heartwood, the dense inner part of a tree trunk, is generally a beautiful dark chocolate-brown, as seen at the Royal Air Force Club in London, linked below.

Royal Air Force Social Club

Birch

Birch is a common tree in Sweden. It’s a durable hardwood, but unlike the hardwoods we’ve mentioned above (Oak, Ash and Walnut), it is closed-grain, because it grows slowly in both spring and summer. The individual grains are less pronounced; they are much more fine and, together with the wood’s pale colour and satin-like sheen, give a harmonious and undoubtedly Scandinavian appearance; it was even selected for the wood panelling in the Swedish parliament!

The Swedish Riksdag

Oregon Pine

This is sometimes known as Douglas Fir. Native to western North America, and the only softwood on the list of our five most popular species, it displays wider and softer patterns. The heartwood colour is a warm pink-orange – beautifully highlighted in the Danish music hall linked below – and its smell is recognisable by most people: it’s the aroma of Christmas trees!

Viften Rodovre Music Hall

Harnessing wood’s natural beauty

When specifying wood panels, understanding the natural properties of different wood species is just the starting point. By harnessing the natural beauty and properties of the wood veneer, and selecting from a range of surface treatments, slicing and joining techniques, you can achieve the expression you want for your project.

Surface treatments can enhance the natural grain, they can add an element of colour, or even highlight a specific texture. Species that are particularly interesting to work with are Ash and Oak; using a white or coloured pigment will bring out their natural grain beautifully. Different ways of slicing and joining, on the other hand, will help you reveal different grain patterns. It’s all about understanding the wood species and working with an expert who can guide you through the different combinations possible.

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Underpinned by our Scandinavian design heritage, we bring you regular stories about architecture and interiors, exploring natural materials, acoustics, and the creation of safe and harmonious environments.

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