Birch trees grow all over the world, and they are common in the United States. Just as there are advantages, there are also disadvantages. Birch plywood is considered as one of the safest woods out there, so much so that it is the most popular choice of wood for use in creating children’s toys or playground equipment. Now I live in Montana and would like to grow the Mountain Paper birch, which I believe is the mountain equivalent of the river model. Is Birch Wood Good for Furniture?. This means that many people who burn firewood to stay warm may have access to birch and may wonder just what the advantages and disadvantages are for using this wood for heating. Stylistically, your options include butcher black, parquet, face grain or end grain planks, panels and other designs. It dries rather slowly with little degrade, but it has moderately high shrinkage, so is susceptible to movement in performance. Pine is an inexpensive, lightweight wood that can be yellowish or whitish with brown knots. Wood flooring offers a wide variety of choices in terms of wood types, plank sizes and colors to suit every décor. It's often used for rustic pieces, like farmhouse-style tables. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES Birch is a heavy wood, hard, and strong. This safety record is all down the finish of the wood, which is smooth and not liable to crack or splinter. Also, the weeping birch… I used to have a trio of river birch growing in my Virginia yard...and although they were messy trees...I really loved them. Unlike wood, however, its short fibers make it flexible and light, and this bendability makes bamboo a great choice for earthquake-prone areas. Many of these disadvantages fall into a case-by-case basis and therefore may not apply to you. Hardwood Types, Uses, Advantages & Disadvantages Posted on 21st March 2019 by Editor Although the qualities of hardwood are not universally defined, many of them are known for their density which makes it the perfect material for projects that … Birch is abundant in North America, especially in the northern United States and Canada, and while it isn't a superior furniture-grade hardwood, it's a good one. Uses: furniture joinery and veneers; Advantages: straight wood grain and attractive pattern; light in colour but strong and durable Selecting wood flooring from this vast array of materials can be confusing when it comes to the hardness of the different types of wood and their wear capabilities. The white birch, the most distinctive of the birches, is easily recognised by its white, paper-like bark. Pros: It's low-cost, and it takes paint well, so it's great for kids' furniture. One of the latest interior design trends to start popping up in homes across the country is a butcher block countertop. It also holds stain better than many other types of wood, and waxing will increase hickory’s water resistance. Characteristics: The 60 species of Birch are classified as a stiff, close-grained hardwood. Birch trees are deciduous hardwood trees that grow in temperate climates. (The same holds true for birch and poplar.) Stains and finishes complete the look, giving each one a customized appearance. Grown in northern climates, it is known for its characteristic light colour and attractive patterns. Birch wood is widely used for various purposes because of its easy availability and low price, relative to other species of hardwood. Aesthetic Conflicts Bamboo is a grass, but offers a wood-like appearance. These countertops are typically made from pieces of wood cut straight and bonded together to create one solid piece. The first advantage is in fact its availability. 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