Guidelines for How to Choose the Right Type of Wood Species
Consumers are asking for a variety of different woods from their builders

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. May 30, 2007 — Wood is proving to be a classic, enduring and eye-catching feature that has struck a chord with today’s homebuyers who want to stand out from the crowd and live in a house that feels one-of-a-kind, according to the experts at
JELD-WEN, a leading manufacturer of windows and doors.

Discerning consumers are asking homebuilders to look beyond traditional woods such as pine, oak and fir and to incorporate a wider variety of species into today’s high-end homes. In response, luxury homebuilders are using less familiar wood species to attract buyers and differentiate their products in a crowded field.

“The market has diversified in terms of which wood species are utilized today,” said Shane Meisel, door product manager with JELD-WEN. “More species are readily available, which has led to more choices for builders and consumers. Homeowners want to personalize their spaces and wood species help them do that.”

Species gain traction
Like all trends, certain wood species tend to grab the attention of the market for a period of time and then retreat as preferences change.

“A few years ago oak was everywhere, but then consumers started to look for alternatives to differentiate themselves and their homes,” said Meisel. “In certain parts of the country, knotty alder is the rage for exterior and interior doors because of its rustic look.”

In addition to the knotty look, Meisel says JELD-WEN is seeing a lot of interest from homeowners for cherry and walnut, and a growing interest in species such as poplar and hickory.

“Poplar is easy to work with, takes paint well and is less expensive than some other hardwoods,” he said. “With the right stain, it can resemble the rich color of cherry.”

Mix and match adds drama
A recent design trend is using an assortment of complementary wood species to create a unique sense of style, warmth and sometimes a contrasting appearance.

“Using a variety of wood species in a home is very similar to selecting colors for a personal wardrobe,” said Meisel. “Mixing it up, when done with just a little know-how, is generally much more interesting. For example, mahogany and maple go great together because their grain patterns match well. Alder and cherry make another attractive combination.”

With homeowners requesting open floor plans today, Meisel notes that kitchens, dens and great rooms are popular areas in which to mix and match wood species.

Wood doors rate high
In addition to being a key design element in a home, wood species can be used by builders and designers as a competitive advantage in today’s luxury home building market.

For example, using unique wood species for interior doors is one way for architects and builders to set themselves and their homes apart from the competition, plus give customers increased value.

“Nearly 80 percent of all interior doors used in new construction are molded fiber doors,” said Meisel. “But when you look at remodeling, half of homeowners choose wood stile and rail doors for their projects, and only 20 percent choose molded interior doors. Clearly, homeowners prefer real wood doors to add beauty and warmth inside the home. Installing stile and rail doors is an opportunity for new-home builders to give customers what they really want and rise above the competition.”

Builders can stand out
Builders who take the time to learn about wood species have an opportunity to be a valuable resource for buyers who want to personalize their homes with wood, but may not be familiar with which species might look the best.

“There’s more variation available today than ever before,” said Meisel. “Many factors can influence the appearance of wood, such as texture, color, grain and tint, and consumers will naturally look to their builder for guidance.”

For more information on the wood species offered by JELD-WEN, refer to the Guide to Wood Species shown below. The guide describes the appearance and characteristics of 11 wood species used to produce windows and doors.

To request a brochure, please visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482, ext. PRWD.

Guide To Wood Species

Wood species used in today’s homes vary greatly in terms of characteristics and features. Performance aspects such as durability, stainability, grain pattern and color stability will vary depending on the type and the specific characteristics of the tree, including whether it is a softwood or hardwood. Some wood, such as cherry, tends to change color and darken over time.

Different species also react differently to stain. Softwoods have more resins than hardwoods and need more preparation before staining. Natural, clear or lighter stain colors work well for species such as pine, while mahogany is better suited for darker stains. Walnut and cherry, when stained with lighter tones, show a wide degree of interesting color variations. For windows and doors, be sure to check manufacturer’s recommendations for using grain filler and wood conditioner.

Here is a brief overview of the wood species available for JELD-WEN windows and doors:

Hardwoods – Produced from deciduous (leaf-bearing) trees

Alder (Clear and Knotty) – A popular species today because of its pronounced grain and uniform texture. Clear alder presents a fairly straight grain with small knots. Knotty alder presents a more rustic look. When stained, alder blends well with walnut, mahogany and cherry. Available for: doors (clear and knotty), windows (clear).

Cherry – While usually recognized by its darker tone, cherry can be stained in a variety of shades. Features a smooth texture with fine, straight grain. Cherry will darken over time with exposure to light and contains miniscule pith marks as identifiers. Available for: doors

Hickory – Heartwood is tan or reddish while sapwood is white to cream with fine brown lines. Features a closed grain with moderate definition and is rough textured. Available for: doors

Mahogany – One of the most recognizable species because of its rich red hue and subtle grain pattern that shows visible growth rings. A hardwood that grows around the world, mahogany is open grained so it needs grain filler when finishing. Available for: doors, windows

Maple – A dense hardwood that has a prolonged life. Has a fine grain that is similar to birch and cherry. Traditionally used for interior applications. No grain filler required when finishing. Available for: doors

Oak – Native to North America and one of the most popular species used today, with red oak and white oak the most common. Red oak features greater variation in color and a more dramatically pronounced grain. Very durable and strong, oak accepts stains evenly and is easy to work with. Available for: doors

Poplar – One of the less expensive hardwood species. Often referred to as “affordable cherry.” Moderately soft and easy to work with, poplar takes paint well and is often used for panel doors and mouldings.
Available for: doors

Walnut – One of the more beautiful and expensive species, walnut is a dense hardwood that is fairly porous. Walnut can feature dramatic color differentiation, from chocolate brown to light tan, because of the way it grows: the heartwood of a walnut tree grows darker than the sapwood on the outer rings. Presents a straight grain with waves or occasional curls of blond streaks. Requires grain filler when finished. Available for: doors

Softwoods – Produced from conifer (cone-bearing) trees

Douglas fir – Douglas fir’s light, rosy color is set off by its remarkably straight and handsome grain pattern. Will tend to “redden” over time when exposed to light. Paints easily and can hold all types of stains and finishes. A popular choice for front doors, as it naturally resists weathering. Available for: doors, windows

Hemlock – Hemlock is light and bright in color, varying from a creamy, nearly white to a light, straw-red color. Sometimes western hemlock may have a slight lavender cast, especially around the knots and in the transition area between the spring and summerwood growth rings. While wood darkens over time with exposure to sunlight, hemlock often remains true to its original, freshly milled pastel color. Accepts stain and paint well. Often contains small mineral deposits. Available for: doors

Pine – Available in more than 80 species around the world, pine can vary greatly in appearance. The grain can appear straight or erratic depending on how it is cut from the log. Pine is traditionally used for doors, windows, frames, jambs and moulding. It machines to a fine, smooth finish and easily accepts lighter stains and paint. Pre-staining is recommended to achieve a uniform appearance because pine naturally contains resins that can affect penetration. Knots should be sealed before painting.

Available for: doors, windows

About JELD-WEN
JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors. Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant in 1960 and has grown into a company with nearly 150 divisions and more than 20,000 employees worldwide. JELD-WEN is the official window, door and millwork provider of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour, Proud Partner of THE PLAYERS and title sponsor of the JELD-WEN Tradition.  JELD-WEN was the only window or door manufacturer to be named 2003 ENERGY STAR® “Partner of the Year” by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Eleven JELD-WEN® product lines and all windows and doors constructed with AuraLast® wood have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.  JELD-WEN® windows and doors have been honored by numerous consumer and industry publications. In 2005, JELD-WEN® Custom Fiberglass exterior doors received a Consumers Digest Best Buy rating. For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.jeld-wen.com or call 800-877-9482.