Compare woods
Put species head to head to decide between them.
Red OakYellow Poplar
| Property | Red Oak Quercus rubra | Yellow Poplar Liriodendron tulipifera |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hardwood | Hardwood |
| Cost | $$ · Moderate | $ · Budget |
| Hardness | 1220 lbf | 540 lbf |
| Workability | Good | Excellent |
| Seasonal movement | Medium | Small |
| Outdoor-friendly | No | No |
| Origin | Domestic (North America) | Domestic (North America) |
| Commonly built | Shaker-style cabinets, Hardwood flooring, Dining tables, Bookcases, Interior trim | Painted bookshelves, Drawer boxes, Crown molding, Toy boxes, Mock-up prototypes |
| Overview | The workhorse American hardwood, strong, affordable, everywhere. Coarse open grain takes stain readily but reads busy. | The budget hardwood of choice for paint-grade work. Soft, cheap, easy, just don't expect to show off the grain. |