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Wood Species Descriptions.

Here are some of species we use to build our doors. Some may or may not be appropriate for your project, depending on climate, exposure and type of construction. Note that some of these species may not be covered by our standard limited warranty. Your Designer Doors Territory Manager can guide you in your selection.

Western Red Cedar
One of the premier building materials, known for its beauty and durability. To learn more about Western Red Cedar, go to http://www.wrcla.org/
 
Knotty Cedar
Usually less expensive than clear cedar. In a Select or Architect Knotty Cedar grade, the knots are sound and tight. The wood will be a mixture of heartwood cedar and sapwood cedar.
 
Spanish Cedar
Many species grown in both North and Central America. Pleasant, familiar cedar scent. Straight, occasionally interlocked grain with very uneven texture. Well known for its stability and weathering qualities.
 
Genuine Mahogany
High and golden luster, texture is rather fine to coarse. Grain is straight to roey, wavey or curly, often with an attractive figure. Perhaps the most valuable timber tree in Latin America.
 
African Mahogany
Grows throughout West Africa. Interlocked or straight grain, often with ribbon figure and a moderately coarse texture.
 
Clear Cypress
High resistance to decay, easy workability -- qualities demanded by craftsmen. Natural protective oils give it an aromatic smell that never fades.
 
Pecky Cypress
Has lengthwise pockets that have been carved out by a fungus while the tree was living. Only occurs in 150+ year old Cypress trees. Pecking stops when tree is harvested.
 
Old Growth Cypress
Also known as River Recovered Heart Cypress. Sunken logs that have been preserved in silted waters and forgotten for over 100 years. Recovered by specially trained log recovery experts. Honey tones; rich red tans to light chocolates; uniquely fine grain often provides a feathery pattern.
 
Clear Alder
A North American favorite. Accepts stain very well, varies from pale yellow to reddish brown. Fairly straight grain with areas of burl clusters and a few small knots. The lightest and least dense of all the woods.
 
Knotty Alder
Popular for its rustic look. A soft, relatively low-strength, straight-grained, even-textured wood. A native of the Pacific Coast of North America.
 
White Oak
Highly resistant to the environment, very hard. Quarter and rift-sawn have striking grain appearance.
 
Red Oak
Pinkish red to blonde colored; very hard and strong. Grain is openly porous with dramatic patterns. Offered in quarter and rift-sawn.
 
Black Walnut
Soft to medium density, close pored, tight grain, beautiful dark brown color with a purple overtone. Sands and finishes beautifully.
 
Cherry
The premiere American hardwood due to its fine texture, hardness and moderate shrinking in drying, and excellent workability. Photosensitive: when it is worked, the color varies from soft pink to pale orange, but on exposure to light, despite any finish, it darkens to a rich dark reddish hue.
 
Sepele
One of Europe's most desired hardwoods for windows and doors. Cost-effective alternative to Genuine Mahogany.
 
Teak
One of the world's most valuable timbers, recognized for its durability, stability and rich beauty. Can withstand all types of weather, harsh chemicals, fungi, rot and termites. Grown on plantations in humid tropical climates.
 

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