The selection of the proper wood species for an architectural design can be the end result of a number of contributing factors and conditions. Intended use, costs, hardness, and relative stability are among many important considerations. The architect and designer may make their selection from a large variety of foreign and domestic species, now commercially available. The unique quality that wood imparts to design is that each species has its own distinguishing characteristics. Once the species is chosen, its effectiveness may vary according to the manner in which it is sawn, sliced as veneer, treated, and finished.

This section is designed to counsel the architect and designer in the comparisons, considerations, and species which should be evaluated before decisions are made and specifications are written. This section will help you correlate, and tabulate the information needed. An informed choice will reward the owner with the best possible performance by a natural building material