Different types of woods and the characteristics considered to find out the suitability of timber for different purposes.

The following are characteristics to find out the suitability of timber:

(i) Hardness

(ii) Density

(iii) Grain

(iv) Texture

(v) Lustre

(vi) Moisture content

(vii) Shrinkage

(viii) Tensile strength

(ix) Compressive strength

(x) Shear Strength

(xi) Bending strength

(xii) Cleavability

(xiii) Brittleness

(xiv) Torsion strength

The timber is put to various uses depending upon the above requirements. Different varieties of timber have different properties & depending upon the use, the same are used.

Benteak: Bentak is very close to teak in strength. It is suitable for all constructional purposes and is not prone to fungus attack. It is finished to a fine smooth surface and takes a good polish. It is used for house building, furniture, carriage biulding and general carpentry.

Chir: Chir is not a very durable wood unless treated with a preservative. It is easy to saw and is usually popular in workshops. It can be brought to a fine smooth surface, but is more suitable for paint  and enamel finishes than for polish work. It is used for constructional work and house fitments for making wooden boxes, etc.

Deodar Wood: It is strongest of the Indian conifers. It is easy to saw and work to a smooth finish. It is strongly scented. It is used for house building, furniture and other construction work. It is also suitable for beams, floors, boards, posts, window frames and light furniture etc.

Haldu: Haldu is a fairly hard and strong wood. It is about 10 percent harder than teak but slightly weaker in transverse strain and elasticity. It is a very easy wood to saw and machine. It also finishes very easily and takes strain and polish very well. It cannot be dovetailed because it breaks away. It is commonly used for doors and window frames, floorboards, turning, carving, furniture, paneling and household fitments.

Hollock: Hollock is not a durable wood unless properly treated. It can be finished to fairly good surface, but needs careful filling before it is polished. It is used for house building in the form of scantling, beams, rafters and plankin. It is also used for making furniture.

Kail Wood: Kail wood is not a very durable wood. But it is easy to saw and work and it is quite popular in workshops. It can be brought to a fine smooth surface, but is more suitable for paint and enamel finishes than for polish work. It is useful for joinery works, construction work, light furniture and house fitments.

Khair: The heartwood is very durable and is seldom attacked by white ants and fungi. It is extremely strong and very hard and rought timber. It is a somewhat difficult timber to saw and machine, especially if the wood is old and dry. Stiff tools are required in machining and turning. It finishes and polishes very well. It is used for posts in house construction, tool handles, tool bodies, etc.

Mango: It is very sturdy wood. When seasoned, it is as good as teak but is not a very durable wood in exposed positions to white ant attack. It can be easily finished to smooth surface. Its chief uses are for cheap furniture, planking, floor and ceiling boards.

Mahogany: It is moderately hard and durable. It takes fine polish. It contains resinous oils, which protects it from the attack of insects. It is used for cabinet making, furniture and building work.

Mulberry: It seasoned well, is strong, tough and elastic. It is easily turned, carved and finished. It is easy to work and gives good finish. It is mostly used for making sports goods like tennis and badminton rackets, hockey sticks and cricket bats.

Sal Wood: It is hard and heavy. Sal is about 30% heavier than teak, 50% harder, and about 20% to 30% stronger. In shock resistance it is about 45% above teak. Its heartwood is a naturally durable wood, and usually remains immune to attack by white ants and fungi for a long period, while its sapwood is very perishable and should not be used. Well dried sal is not a really easy wood to saw and work. It is a rough construction wood, as it does not give a good finish. It can be used for a variety  of purposes, such as beams, rafters, flooring, piles, bridging, tool handles, picker arms and tent pegs, etc.

Shisham or Sissu: It is a very valuable timber for building construction. It is closer grained, tough and durable. It is very hard, seasons well and takes a fine polish. It is used for high-class furniture and important building works.

Teak wood: It is of outstanding merit in retention of shape and durability. The heartwood is one of the most naturally durable woods of the world. It takes very good polish. It usually remains immune to white ants and insect attack for fairly long period. It is, however, not always immune from fungus attack (rot). Good quality teak wood is used for making furniture and for important timber construction. Owing to its comparatively higher cost, its use is limited to only superior class works.