Because No. 1 grade lumber will cost more, it's usually only necessary if the look of the wood is important. When sorting through grade classifications, don't forget that the nominal lumber measurements differ from actual dimensions. At sawmills, boards are cut to their nominal lengths and then are planed, which shaves off a bit of the width and thickness. Besides molding, hardwoods such as maple, oak, poplar, cherry and walnut are all candidates for shelving, paneling, cabinetry, tables and bookcases. Poplar generally costs less than clear red oak, which is free of knots and splits.
Most consumers choose to paint poplar, while they stain the oak to highlight the wood grain.
Warran also suggested that consumers investigate using composite woods such as particleboard for shelves in garages or closet shelving. They generally cost less than solid wood. Consumers today have many more choices if they want to help preserve the world's dwindling forests. Much of the alternative lumber is composed of recycled plastic and sawdust. It's all mixed, heated and placed into a mold.