Wood has provided fodder for our imaginations since human history began. The grains move and meander across each cut, creating visuals the way clouds do. Grain patterns vary significantly across different wood species, and the types we choose for our design projects will ultimately dictate the aesthetic and acoustical performance of the wood, as well as the environmental impact of those projects. Using imperfect, natural wood in our design projects delivers a lot of great benefits. Understanding the differences from one species to the next is the first step in getting the benefits we’re after.
Understanding the Origins of Variation
Different species of wood exhibit different characteristics. Many of these differences can be attributed to things like growth conditions and mineral content, as well as the peculiarities in the way each species grows. Let’s take a quick look at what gives each wood species its unique look.
Cell Structure
Every organism on the planet has a unique cell arrangement. This is a result of natural evolution. These variations result in cell structures that impact the look and density of the wood. The more variation in cell types, the more complex the grain pattern.
Growth Conditions
Growth conditions also have the ability to affect the look and feel of the wood harvested from any particular region. Differences in light, moisture, temperature, and pollution can all affect a tree’s growth, changing the grain patterns as a result.
Growth Rings
Different species of trees grow at different rates, due to a number of factors. Things like age, genetic factors, and environmental conditions can all affect the development of a tree’s rings, contributing to unique characteristics in the wood grain pattern.
Knots and Defects
Natural imperfections make each piece of wood unique, and add a lot of character to the finished project. Embracing these imperfections can transform your project with greater visual variety and mixed densities that improve both the aesthetics and acoustics in the room.
Different Species
Each species exhibits unique natural wood grain patterns as well. Let’s take a look at some common species available in most US markets, as well as the characteristics that make them perfectly suited to certain projects.
Oak
Oak wood is incredibly durable, and features rich grain patterns that add tremendous character. It is well suited to both indoor and outdoor projects where the wood may have to endure a lot of abuse. The rustic looking patterns in the wood grain also lend themselves perfectly to furniture, walls, and flooring.
Maple
Maple, although another species of hardwood, is softer than oak. This makes maple wood slightly less durable, making it tricky for flooring applications with high foot traffic. The grains are more subdued and the color lighter, lending this wood well to modern and minimalist aesthetics.
PIne
Pine is a softer wood that is light in color, and often features knots, making it an attractive option for both traditional and modern projects. The soft nature of the wood makes it easy to work with, but also means it is not particularly well-suited for high traffic areas due to a potential for damage.
Walnut
Walnut is another very durable exotic hardwood. It features a dark, rich color with beautiful grain patterns. It is most commonly used in furniture and cabinetry but also works wonderfully for decorative accents.
Why Imperfection is Perfection
The differences and imperfections in each cut of wood add character. Choosing the right species with impressive imperfections can significantly enhance the overall look of each project. Let’s look at some great reasons to embrace the chaos of imperfect planks in our projects.
Aesthetic Appeal
If you have ever had a guest comment on the wood in your spaces, they often comment on the amazing wood texture or the imperfections that make it stand out from other projects they have seen. The natural variations across the project add an aesthetic appeal that you simply cannot get with perfectly uniform planks and patterns.
Uniqueness
These variations add uniqueness to your project. In the same way painted wood planks produce a clean but somewhat uninteresting finished product, planks personified by their uniformity leave little to get excited about. Introducing imperfections will make your project richly unique.
Connection to Nature
Nature is imperfect. There are few straight lines and geometric perfection comes at a premium. Much of the beauty we find in nature comes from chaos living in contextual harmony with the surrounding landscape. Bringing these characteristics into our milled home finishes connects us to nature and introduces a sense of biophilic design. Biophilic design is the practice of bringing natural elements like wood, stone, water, and plants into our designed spaces. The benefits are innumerable. It has been shown to enhance well-being, improve productivity, improve air quality and create more comfortable spaces, among a long list of other benefits.
Sustainability and Variation
One of the most important aspects of designing with imperfect wood is sustainability. By sourcing sustainable wood products, we can mitigate some of the impacts of forestry’s footprint on our environment. Here are a couple of ways choosing these unique variations over the status quo can help.
Reduced Waste
Choosing to use these unique wood variations rather than tossing them aside greatly helps us to reduce waste. Each tree is unique, and therefore produces a number of cuts containing knots and defects that make them look different from the other cuts and other trees. Embracing and highlighting these cuts represents a sustainable practice that ensures all parts of the tree can be used, and ultimately enhances the look of our projects.
Responsible Forestry
Raising consumer awareness about the advantages of utilizing these cuts of wood also encourages responsible forestry. It does so by encouraging biodiversity, promoting circular economies, supporting small producers, and encouraging sustainable wood suppliers.
Designing with Natural Variation
There are a wide range of projects that can be enhanced with the look of imperfect woods. These natural variations are perfect for punctuating creative pieces. From feature walls to ceiling systems, there are all kinds of creative uses for these unique pieces with different types of wood.
Feature Walls
Feature walls are a wonderful creative outlet for utilizing imperfect natural wood products. These spaces are intended to be unique and eye-catching, meaning you can make any statement you like here. Wood paneling is a great choice when acoustics matter in the space. Wood may be nature’s most perfect surface when it comes to acoustics, blending absorption and reflection in a way that makes spaces sound lively without becoming overly loud. Microperforated wood panels take acoustic performance to the next level, introducing tiny perforations that allow a portion of the sound waves that strike the surface to pass through the wood wall panels and become diffused on the back side. You can even install an acoustical backing to absorb those sound waves and take many of them out of the equation entirely. Vertical slats are an attractive alternative to panels, providing the impression of a slightly taller room. This linear illusion implies motion, and when combined with wood grains, creates a dynamic texture and incredible visual interest.
Wainscoting
Wainscoting is a type of decorative wall treatment applied to the lower portion of interior walls. It’s a classic accent, and an awesome use of imperfect wood. Wainscoting may be made of wood or composite molding, and can be found in planks and panels. Utilizing impressive variations of imperfect natural wood products may provide the most stunning results. If you want to double down on texture, beadboard is a classic variant of wainscoting that delivers on that front. Beadboard wainscoting uses small, rounded indentations at the joints, creating a distinctive pattern. Their application can range from traditional to modern design, making them suitable for any project you’re working on.
Ceiling Systems
Natural wood ceiling systems are incredibly popular for a range of different applications today. They add the warmth of natural wood overhead, while providing design options that we can’t get with many other products. Baffle and grid systems are two perfect examples. Baffles are made by suspending parallel planks horizontally on edge, creating a linear faux ceiling that blocks much of the overhead space from view. They allow us to drop sound, HVAC, and lighting fixtures directly through the ceiling, delivering their benefits exactly where we need them. If you’re looking for a little more visual blockage, grids increase the surface area by introducing perpendicular planks that intersect the baffles to create a grid pattern. They feature the same benefits as baffles when it comes to sound, light, and heat, but diffuse and absorb a little more sound while blocking more of that overhead space.
Conclusion
Embracing the beauty of natural wood and incorporating it into our home and office designs delivers aesthetic beauty and acoustic performance that are second to none. And when you’re working with eco-friendly wood options like imperfect planks and veneers, the benefits are seemingly endless. If you would like to learn more about how our line of natural wood products can enhance the look and sound of your most beloved spaces, reach out for a consultation. We’ve worked on all kinds of projects in all kinds of spaces, so we have the products and expertise to make your next project a success. Contact us today!