A guide to wood and cores – choose the right material for your project

Wood is a diverse and versatile material that can be used in a variety of construction and interior projects. At Vyrk, we offer several different species of wood, with different properties and uses. Whether you need durable wood for floors or aesthetic panels, boards and battens, we have what you need to realise your vision.

Common wood species – properties and uses

Pine – versatile and easy to work with

Pine is a light wood with a yellowish tinge and a heartwood that varies from red to reddish-brown, where the distinct growth rings give a characteristic structure. This wood is:

• Medium hard with high resin content

• Easy to process

• Relatively light in weight (low density)

• Gradually yellows when exposed to light and air

Applications : Panels, battens, furniture and flooring. We also offer knot-free pine for a cleaner and more uniform look.

Oak – durable and warm tones

Oak is a species of wood with a warm, brownish tone and a pronounced grain structure that provides a vibrant look. This wood has the following characteristics:

• The colour varies from light to dark brown (depending on the treatment)

• Very hard and resistant to wear and damage

• High-density for strength and weight

Applications: Flooring, furniture and countertops (due to their durability), as well as slats and design elements where the fine play of the wood comes into its own.

Ash – light and durable

Ash has a light tone with a smooth texture and a straight grain structure. This wood is characterised by:

• Very high degree of hardness and density

• Properties similar to oak but somewhat lighter

• A bright and clean look

Applications: Flooring and moulding, as well as a stylish design element in the form of boards or slats.

Spruce – light and easy to build with

Spruce has a light yellowish-white colour with:

• Minimal difference between sapwood and heartwood

• Less pronounced growth rings and fewer knots than pine

• Medium hardness and low density

• Good workability

Note: A challenge with spruce is that the knots can come loose, making it difficult to produce thin veneer boards.

Applications: Widely used in construction projects due to its favourable combination of strength and light weight. Suitable for exterior cladding, interior panels, as well as roof trusses and other load-bearing structures.

Birch – light and flexible

Birch has a light, almost white colour with a fine, uniform structure. This wood offers:

• Medium hardness

• Good strength and flexibility

• Nice balance between weight and strength (moderate density)

Applications: Furniture production, panelling, flooring, and veneer due to its durability, fine texture and clean appearance.

Walnut – exclusive with deep colours

Walnut has a deep, dark brown colour with a pronounced grain structure and a delicate texture. This type of wood provides:

• Very high hardness

• Excellent abrasion resistance and resistance to damage

• High density, making it heavy and robust

Applications: Furniture, flooring, and interior details such as panels and doors, thanks to its beautiful colour and long-lasting durability.

Different heartwood and panel types – for different purposes

Solid wood – authentic and natural

Here, all of the wood is used, without any form of gluing or joining.

Applications: Panels, cladding, flooring, slats and frames for glass and doors.

Fire-rated / Fermacell – safety in focus

Vyrk Antibrann has a core of 12.5 mm fibre-reinforced gypsum, with no content of harmful substances.

• Does not burn

• Emits no toxic fumes

Applications: As a core that is veneered. Choose this for slats or for fully veneered panels with or without perforation.

Particleboard – cost-effective and environmentally friendly

Particleboard is made from shavings and sawdust that are pressed together with glue and heat under high pressure.

Applications: Often used in construction or as a core for panels with bonded surfaces. Gives a rustic look and is among the most cost-effective options for wood panelling.

MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) – smooth and dimensionally stable

MDF is a panel made of sawdust and small chips that are pressed together with glue and pressure.

• Falls under the category of particleboard

• More finely machined and more tightly pressed

• Structure reminiscent of compressed cardboard

Applications: Furniture, since it has a smooth surface and is sturdy, while being more cost-effective than solid wood or veneer.

Plywood – stable and flexible

Plywood consists of an odd number of thin sheets of veneer that are glued together in layers.

• The fibres of each layer are placed perpendicular to each other

• Provides increased stability

• Reduces the risk of warping

Applications: Available in a variety of wood species and dimensions. Often used as the core of structures or can be used alone as a stylish design element.

Three-layer panels – stable with a solid wood feel

A three-layer board is an adhesive structure made of solid wood boards.

• Consists of three layers of equal thickness

• The middle layer (of solid wood slats) is placed across the two outer layers

• Provides increased stability

Pros: A good alternative to veneered products, for example, if you want clean lines and smooth surfaces with a solid wood appearance.

Choose the right wood for your project

Choosing the right type of wood and core depends on several factors:

• The aesthetic requirements of the project

• Application and wear level

• Budget and cost framework

• Environmental requirements and sustainability considerations

Get in touch with us to find out more about our products and how we can help you with your next project.