Frames are like clothes: they dress our memories with an elegance that makes our memories even more beautiful. And just as with fashion, one must know what type of clothing to wear to match the occasion.

One of the most commonly used frame types is wood. Wood brings elegance and sophistication with a hint of vintage feel to it. In order to appreciate the beauty of wood framing, you must know the different types of woods. Each type brings different characteristic to your home.

Here’s a quick guide to help you identify the type of wood to frame your cherished wall art or memorabilia.

Poplar: Poplar grows across most of the eastern U.S. and is the softest of the hardwoods we offer. It is also the least expensive and easiest to work with. Poplar does well with veneers and is yellowish-white in color.

Maple: This type of wood is very hard, heavy, and strong. It is resistant to abrasion, it sands beautifully, and stains well. There are 115 species of maple, but only 5 commercially important species grow in the U.S.

Ash: Ash is a hard, heavy porous hardwood. It has a prominent grain that resembles oak and is colored between white and light brown. Ash is widely used for structural frames and can be steam bent, which is sometimes seen in furniture pieces. It is often less expensive than comparable hardwoods.

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