A guide to different wood species and cores

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 types of wood, each with unique properties and applications. Whether you need durable wood for flooring or aesthetic panels, sheets, and slats, we have what you need to realize your vision.

Types of wood

Pine

Pine is a light, yellowish wood species with a red to reddish-brown heartwood where the growth rings are prominent. It is moderately hard, rich in resin, and easy to work with. Under the influence of light and air, the wood will yellow and darken over time. It has a relatively low density, which gives it a low weight.

Pine is commonly used for panels, slats, furniture, and flooring due to its lightweight and ease of processing. We also offer knot-free pine if you prefer a cleaner look.

Oak

Oak has a warm, brownish color with a prominent grain pattern in the growth rings. It can vary from light to dark brown depending on the treatment. It is very hard, making it resistant to wear and damage. Oak has a high density, which gives it strength and a heavier weight.

Oak is commonly used for flooring, furniture, and countertops due to its durability, as well as for slats and design elements because of its beautiful grain and wear resistance.

Ash

Ash has a light, creamy color with a smooth texture and straight grain patterns in the growth rings. It is very hard and has a high density, similar to oak, but is lighter.

Ash is often chosen for the same reasons as oak but offers a lighter and brighter appearance. It is a good choice for flooring and moldings, as well as a beautiful design element if you want panels or slats.

Spruce

Spruce has a light yellowish-white color with little color difference between the sapwood and heartwood. The growth rings and knots are less prominent than, for example, pine. It is moderately hard with low density, making it easy to work with. The downside of spruce and its knots is that it is difficult to produce thin veneer from this wood type, as the knots tend to loosen.

Spruce is widely used in construction due to its strength relative to weight. It is ideal for exterior cladding and interior panels. It is also commonly used in trusses and other structural elements.

Birch

Birch has a light, almost white color with a fine, even texture. It is moderately hard and has good strength and flexibility. It has a nice balance between weight and strength due to its moderate density.

Birch is often used in furniture production, panels, flooring, and veneer because of its durability, fine texture, and clean appearance.

Walnut

Walnut has a rich, dark brown color with a prominent grain pattern and a fine texture. It is a very hard material, making it durable and resistant to damage. Due to its high density, this is a heavy and robust wood species.

Walnut is used in luxurious furniture, flooring, and other interior details such as panels and doors for its beautiful color and durability.

Types of core

Solid wood

Here, the entire wood is used, without any form of gluing or jointing. This is most often used for our panels, cladding, flooring, slats, and for framing for glass and doors.

Antifire / Fermacell

Vyrk Antifire has a core of 12.5 mm fiber-reinforced gypsum, free of harmful substances. The panel does not burn and does not emit any toxic smoke. This product is often used as a core that is over-veneered. Choose this core for slats or for fully veneered panels with or without perforation.

Particle board

Particle boards are made from chips/sawdust that are pressed together using glue and heat under high pressure. They are often used in construction or as a core with a glued-on surface. This gives a rough appearance. It is one of the more affordable types of wood panels.

MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard)

MDF is a board made from wood dust and small chips that are pressed together using glue and pressure. It falls under the particle board category, but the material is finer and more densely pressed. It can resemble compressed cardboard. It is often used for furniture because it has a smooth surface and is solid, but more affordable than solid wood or veneer.

Plywood

Plywood is made by gluing together an odd number of thin veneer sheets in layers. The fibers in each layer are oriented at 90 degrees to each other to reinforce the panel against warping. The panel is available in various wood species and dimensions. It is often used as a core or on its own as a design element

CLT – Cross laminated timber

Three-layer board is a glued construction made of solid laminated boards. As the name suggests, the panels consist of three layers of equal thickness, with the middle layer of solid lamellae oriented perpendicular to the two outer layers—making the panel significantly more stable than comparable solid or finger-jointed boards. Three-layer boards are therefore a high-quality alternative to, among other things, over-veneered products if you want clean lines and smooth surfaces combined with a solid wood appearance.