A homemade sawhorse can double as a mini-workbench. DIY Woodworking host Bruce Johnson discusses some of the types of wood used for woodworking, their key characteristics and the methods used for grading wood. It's found in the frameworks of houses, in floors and in furniture.
Softwoods are less durable than hardwoods, but they're lighter and easier to work with.
Some of the more familiar hardwoods are oak, cherry, walnut and mahogany. Hardwoods are generally heavier and more dense and have a more dramatic grain pattern than softwoods. Since they generally cost more than softwood of the same grade, hardwoods are often reserved for fine flooring, cabinetry and furniture. A popular wood, oak is frequently used for floors and kitchen cabinets. It's native to North America and readily available.