The Color of Wood Part 2, Domestic Wood

In my last blog, I spoke about how tropical woods change color and now we will talk about domestic hardwoods and how they change as they age.  Again, there are too many woods to list them all, so we will talk generally on how they change depending on direct and indirect UV exposure.

Domestic woods are completely different from tropical woods in how they react to UV light and oxidation.  Generally they lighten only, becoming more yellow or golden.  The only exception I know of is cherry, which like tropical woods, darken with direct or indirect light.  Cherry does switch gears after about one year, and will lighten if it is continually exposed to direct sun.  But if it only gets indirect sun, it will continue to darken.  Black walnut, on the other hand, starts out deep purple brown and lightens to a light golden-honey brown in 2-5 years with indirect light and much faster with direct light.  Light-colored woods, such as white oak, birch, and maple all yellow or become more golden-light nuances of color.  Slight greens, pinks and browns tend to soften and variations in color become less, so that color matches improve over time.   Again, the exception is cherry.

Cherry, like tropical hardwoods, should be matched not just for color but also for density and grain.  Typically 1st growth cherry will be heavier (denser) and will deepen in color much more than the 2nd and 3rd grows.  Also, solid cherry or walnut used next to a veneer of the same species will look quite different five years out.  But in most cases using light hardwoods, the variations between solid and veneer are small, with the solid wood usually becoming more golden over time. 

Knowing how woods change allows you to plan your wood species and finishes for the best results now and into the future.