Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera
Hardness
Medium-hard; a versatile range for most furniture.
Overview
A pale, straight-grained birch best known for its papery white bark, commonly used for plywood and turning.
Commonly built
- Plywood
- Turned bowls
- Toys
- Dowels
Appearance
Nearly white to pale cream sapwood with a straight, fine, even grain.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Machines and turns cleanly. Accepts stain a bit unevenly due to tight, closed grain, a pre-stain conditioner helps.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn paper birch panel moves roughly 0.47 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Paper Birch move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Paper Birch?
Paper Birch has a Janka hardness of 910 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Paper Birch suitable for outdoor use?
Paper Birch is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Paper Birch to work with?
Paper Birch has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Paper Birch move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn paper birch panel moves roughly 0.47 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used paper birch, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.