Paramount Custom Ceilings Wood Species Guide

 Alder typically exhibits a light tan to reddish-brown hue, which deepens and takes on a more pronounced reddish tint as it ages. The distinction between heartwood and sapwood is not visibly apparent. On the face grain, occasional small streaks resembling defects in the wood may be mistaken for such, but they are actually large aggregate rays. 

 When freshly cut, American Cherry heartwood displays a light pinkish-brown hue, which gradually darkens to a medium reddish-brown over time and upon exposure to light. The wide sapwood, on the other hand, exhibits a pale yellowish color. It is quite common for boards to include some sapwood sections along their outer edges. 

 Ash heartwood displays a color ranging from light to medium brown. The sapwood, often wide, exhibits a beige or light brown tone and is not always distinctly or sharply separated from the heartwood. In comparison to White Ash, Black Ash tends to have a slightly darker color. 

 Black Walnut heartwood's color varies, spanning from a lighter pale brown to a dark chocolate brown, often adorned with darker brown streaks. Occasionally, the color may exhibit hints of grey, purple, or reddish tones. Sapwood, in contrast, appears pale yellow-gray to nearly white. Additionally, distinctive grain patterns such as curl, crotch, and burl are observable. 

 The color of Douglas Fir wood can differ depending on the age and location of the tree. It generally presents a light brown hue with subtle hints of red and/or yellow, accompanied by darker growth rings. In quartersawn pieces, the grain tends to be straight and simple. However, in flatsawn pieces, commonly observed in rotary-sliced veneers, the wood may display unpredictable and wild grain patterns. 

 The heartwood of Eastern White Pine displays a light brown shade, occasionally with a subtle reddish tint, while the sapwood appears as a pale yellow to nearly white. Over time, the color has a tendency to deepen and darken. 

 The hue of this wood is a pale straw shade, occasionally featuring hints of pink or brown. When veneer is produced, it typically takes on a slightly deeper color because the wood is usually treated with steam during the slicing process, imparting a golden tone. Surfaces cut in a flatsawn manner appear relatively plain, whereas quartersawn surfaces showcase a subtle ray fleck pattern. 

 In contrast to many other hardwoods, Hard Maple lumber commonly utilizes its sapwood rather than its heartwood. The sapwood exhibits a spectrum of colors, ranging from nearly white to an off-white cream, occasionally with a reddish or golden undertone. The heartwood tends to have a deeper reddish-brown hue. . Additionally, hard maple may feature distinctive grain patterns such as curly or quilted textures. 

 Pecan heartwood typically presents as a light to medium brown with a reddish tint, while the sapwood appears as a paler yellowish-brown. Boards that showcase a contrast between the heartwood and sapwood contribute to a somewhat rustic look, often marketed as Calico Hickory. 

Mahogany heartwood displays a reddish-brown hue, while the sapwood appears as a pale yellow or pink, and the boundary between them is not always distinctly defined. Both the sapwood and heartwood have a tendency to darken in color as they age. 

Bamboo typically has a consistent and light yellow to nearly white color. When live bamboo is left standing for an extended period, it often undergoes fungal decay, causing the wood to discolor with streaks and patches in brown or black hues. 

 The heartwood of Pecan usually exhibits a light to medium brown shade, tinged with a reddish hue, while the sapwood appears as a lighter yellowish-brown. 

Poplar heartwood ranges from light cream to yellowish-brown, featuring intermittent streaks of gray or green. Sapwood appears as a pale yellow to white, with no distinct boundary from the heartwood. It may also showcase mineral-stained hues, spanning from dark purple to red, green, or yellow, colloquially known as Rainbow Poplar. Over time, the colors have a tendency to darken when exposed to light. 

The heartwood of Red Oak typically showcases a light to medium brown shade, often with a reddish undertone. The lighter sapwood doesn't always have a distinct boundary from the heartwood. In quartersawn sections, noticeable ray fleck patterns emerge. White oak may have a slightly more olive hue instead of red, but relying solely on color may not always accurately identify the oak species. 

Despite its name, most soft maple species exhibit a hardness and density comparable to black walnut or black cherry, both highly esteemed cabinet woods in North America. "Soft" is a relative term, employed mainly to distinguish it from hard maple. In numerous applications, the hardness of soft maple proves adequate, and its lower density typically makes it more manageable and easier to work with than hard maple. 

White Oak heartwood typically presents as a light to medium brown, often with a subtle olive tint. The lighter sapwood doesn't always have a clear boundary from the heartwood. In quartersawn sections, distinct ray fleck patterns are evident. Red oak may have a slightly redder hue instead of olive, but relying solely on color may not consistently determine the oak species.