Ash wood is a strong, durable, and shock resistant hardwood.
It is native to eastern central North America.
Ash wood is an excellent choice for furniture and building construction.
Ash wood is not naturally rot resistant, it tends to rot due to constant
exposure to moisture and weather.
Ash Wood Advantages and Disadvantages.
Ash Wood Advantages.
Appearance: Generally, Ash Wood has a straight and regular grain which gives
uniform and fine texture to the furniture.
It gives an excellent after finishing.
Workability: Ash is relatively dense good working and finishing properties.
Its Janka hardness is moderate.
Therefore it holds the nail, paint, and polish well.
Responds well to steam bending.
Versatile: Ash Wood is a versatile hardwood.
It is used to make furniture, toys, and sports parts.
Shock Resistant: Ash wood the ability to resist shock.
Therefore it is the most suitable wood for tool handles, furniture,
roof construction, and flooring.
Durability: It is one of the most durable varieties and has been used in the
United States for hundreds of years.
It requires less care than other hardwoods.
Affordable and availability: Ash wood widely available around the world.
Ash wood is inexpensive to other hardwoods.
The demand for ash wood can easily met in its bulk.
Easy to maintain: Ash is easier maintain than any other hardwood.
If it is used indoors, it is durable with maintenance.
Disadvantage.
Open Grain: Ash wood has open which makes the surface look rough.
To get a smooth and fine surface, pores have to be filled.
Not exterior uses: Ash wood is recommended for use outdoors.
It is susceptible to attack by insects fungi after exposure to moisture and water.
Easily Split: Ash splits very easily the deal and screw are applied.
Hence pre-drilling is required.
Uses of Ash Wood.
Ash Wood is widely used for making furniture, flooring, doors,
cabinetry, architectural molding, millwork, tool handles, sports
parts, turnings, and many more.
Ash wood is a versatile wood species that can be used for all applications that
are not exposed to moisture and water.
It is an excellent choice for durable flooring because ash wood is hard and
less prone to scratches and dents.
Ash wood has extreme shock resistant properties which makes
it suitable wood for baseball bat, hockey stick, and tool handles.
Ash wood can be used for purposes but is not suitable.
It is extremely durable and stable not resistant to insect attack.
So it needs proper finishing and sealing.
Ash wood can be easily handled and it is not too expensive so it is
used for making boxes/crates, food containers, and decorative items.
Ash wood Appearance.
Generally, the color of ash wood is light to brown while sapwood is white to light brown.
The heartwood color of Ash gets darker over time.
This color change process occurs exposure to UV light and oxygen.
Ash wood has a straight regular grain pattern.
Sometimes wavy patterns can also be there.
Ash wood is an open pore wood that results a rough texture on the surface of the wood.
Working with Ash Wood.
Ash wood is very easy to work by hand and with machine tools.
It finishes well and well to steam bending.
Its straight and regular grain allows tools to carve, cut and split.
Avoid using green ash or damp to get good working experience.
The density of ash wood is the medium so its weight is heavier than many softwoods.
Ash wood holds nails and screws well.