Walnut Wood: Varieties, Key Properties, and Comparison with Other Woods

Walnut is an exceptional hardwood material that is deeply valued in modern home interiors. Known for its deep, warm hues and versatility, walnut makes a cherished choice in high-end furniture and decorative pieces. The distinct features of walnut create an enduring character that elevates any space.

A Closer Look at Walnut Wood and Why It Is Valuable

Walnut slabs originate from trees of the Juglans genus. Unlike other hardwoods that often require staining to achieve depth, walnut claims its superior reputation from its deep chocolate heartwood.

An authentic walnut slab has the same width as the tree it is from, while its grains and edges tell its life story. This expressiveness, which you can witness during your visit at our studio, makes single walnut slabs especially prized.

Exploring the Diverse Selections of Walnut

While walnuts exist in different varieties, the American black walnut is one of the most popular types due to its wide availability and strength. Here are the various types of walnut wood:

American Black Walnut

Long regarded as one of the most prized types of walnut in fine furniture, the American black walnut has its roots in the eastern US. Its width, depth of colour, and grain patterns take 120 to 180 years to develop, placing it among the most valued hardwoods.

With growing demand, much of the American black walnut in the market is constructed through bookmatching, a carefully planned process of aligning several narrow boards to let the walnut grain flow with balance and intent. Drop by our studio and catch a glimpse of bookmatched walnut slabs that emphasise their natural movement, preserving both order and rhythm.

English Walnut

English or European walnut has similar workability to black walnut, and is also a great choice for various walnut woodworking such as furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and kitchenware. It tends to be slightly paler than black walnut, with a milk chocolate shade.

Claro Walnut

Claro walnut comes from the Juglans hindsii tree, an exotic species native to the upper Sacramento River basin. This type of walnut has a dark colour with irregular grain patterns and may be grafted with English walnut branches to create lively, colourful streaks, also known as marbling.

Butternut

Butternut or white walnut is a beautiful wood with a golden-tan colour. Due to its softer texture, it is more suitable for musical instruments, interior trims, or carvings.

Bastogne

A highly rare variety of walnut wood, the Bastogne is a cross between the Claro and English walnut species. Its heartwood colour varies from lighter gold to reddish brown, with rippled grain on some sections. This type of walnut is commonly used in musical instruments and other small specialty pieces.

Peruvian

Peruvian walnut is a trade name for a rich, dark type of walnut wood from Central and South America. Its consistent straight grain and natural sheen create a stunning alternative to black walnut. Although slightly softer, it still has moderate durability for various furniture.

Popular Uses of Walnut Wood

Walnut’s timeless appeal lies in its remarkable versatility, offering density and durability for various finely crafted pieces that you can customise at Woodslab. Its surface also finishes beautifully, allowing the grain to remain expressive in traditional and contemporary or Scandinavian-style homes.

For flooring, walnut wood is an equally compelling choice, bringing its natural richness to warm the atmosphere with a beauty that ages gracefully over time. Beyond home interiors, walnut’s workability allows it to be used for guitars and other stringed instruments. Artisans appreciate how its responsive grains can be shaped with precision for various uses such as hand carving, profiling, and turnery.

What Walnut Does Well, and Where It Requires Restraint

Like various fine wood slabs, walnut excels in certain aspects while calling for thoughtful consideration in others. Understanding both its advantages and limitations allows walnut wood to be used thoughtfully for its most suited purpose.

Where Walnut Wood Excels

Elegant Appearance

Each walnut slab has its own distinct features that catch the eye, with an alluring deep brown shade and elegant grain patterns. When paired with white or cream furnishings, walnut wood also creates an aesthetically pleasing contrast that redefines and adds character to the room. Feel free to consult your design vision with us and we will recommend a slab that brings your dream interior to life.

Versatility

Walnut responds well to woodworking, allowing it to be shaped and carved to meet every taste and preference. It also adapts well to various types of finishing, both to enhance its depth or celebrate its natural grain.

Safety

Free from sap and resin, walnut wood is a wise choice for homes with the elderly, infants, or people with allergies. However, as with all natural woods, any fine dust produced may still trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.

Durability and Resistance

Walnut is able to resist warping and shrinkage, letting you use and appreciate their pieces for a long time. Naturally existing oils within its structure also protect it from rot and decay.

Ease of maintenance

Despite its luxurious appearance, walnut furniture and flooring are convenient enough to maintain, even for busy homeowners. It simply takes regular dusting and an occasional wipe with a damp cloth, along with oiling or waxing to preserve its lustre.

Diversity and Availability

With a wide variety of species, each walnut slab is distinguished by its own character, from the deep dramatic tones of American black walnut to the softer, more subtle expressions found in European varieties. This lets designers and homeowners select a walnut that matches their preferences. Bookmatched American black walnut can also be found in specialist wood shops, while other varieties can be sourced with sustainably responsible options.

For those eager to witness the walnut’s true character firsthand, experiencing the material in our showroom lets you appreciate its grain, weight, and liveliness before choosing the right piece.

Things to Note

While walnut wood is a great option for woodworking, there are several considerations to be aware of before choosing your walnut slab.

Cost

Regarded as a premium type of wood, walnut wood may require a greater investment than other wood types, especially for wide, continuous slabs that have expressive grain patterns.

Sensitivity to Light

While much of walnut’s charm lies in its rich, dramatic shade, it is important to note that this colour can lighten over time. This may happen due to oxidation from sun exposure, turning it into an orange-honey colour. For this reason, walnut is best suited to indoor environments, where there is less risk of colour change.

Susceptibility to Scratches

Although walnut wood is moderately robust, abrasive cleaning tools should not be used on their surface to minimise the risk of scratches. This is also an additional consideration if you have small children or pets in your home.

Comparing Walnut with Other Hardwood Species

Choosing walnut over other hardwoods is a process that requires thoughtful consideration of both function and intent. We also provide a personalised material consultation to guide you toward the best value piece. Here is how walnut wood compares to some popular types of wood:

Walnut vs. Teak wood

Teak has exceptional weather resistance compared to other types of wood, and is often used for outdoor furniture such as patio sets and garden benches. Walnut wood thrives indoors, where its depth of colour and expressive grain can be fully appreciated as various furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications. Teak wood also earns a higher price than walnut wood due to its scarcity.

Walnut vs. Suar wood

Both walnut and Suar wood share a striking visual contrast due to their rich heartwood and lighter sapwood. Their dramatic appearance suits statement pieces in both rustic and contemporary interiors. Walnut and Suar wood are also considered sustainable options as long as they are sourced responsibly.

In terms of structural behaviour, kiln-dried walnut is less prone to warping or shrinking, while Suar wood is denser and thus more able to resist scratches and dents.

Walnut vs. Zelkova wood

Zelkova wood, also known as Keyaki, is popular in high-end furniture, particularly for traditional Japanese Tansu cabinetry and luxury interiors. Both walnut and Zelkova wood are valued for their strength and longevity. Zelkova’s lighter tone and wavy grains create a calming presence that may draw in those looking for serene living ambiences. In contrast, the dark tones of walnut wood speak to those who enjoy a dramatic appearance in their furniture pieces.

	Walnut Wood	Teak Wood	Suar Wood	Zelkova Wood
Grain	Tight grained	Close grained	Mostly straight grain, sometimes with interlocking grain	Clear, uniform, and sometimes dynamic wavy grain patterns
Colour	Ranges from light brown to dark brown	Uniform, golden brown colour	Golden brown to dark brown	Ranges from tan to reddish-brown
Hardness	1010 lbf (Janka scale)	1000 - 1155 lbf	900 lbf	1,040 lbf
Durability	Durable, but not as durable as teak	Extremely durable	Moderately durable	Generally comparable to or slightly less than walnut
Water and Rot Resistance	Strong water resistance	Resistant to insects and moisture due to the high concentration of natural oils	Not as resistant as teak and walnut	Highly insect resistant, moderately water resistant

Experiencing Walnut Slabs at Woodslab

At Woodslab, each slab of walnut wood reflects the species in its most complete form, presenting scale, restraint, and natural variation. For those looking for quality wood furniture in Singapore, the journey is best experienced in person. We are delighted to welcome you to our showroom for a tactile encounter with our wood slabs, where you can feel the warmth, weight, and character of each slab beyond their appearance. Browse through our selection until you find a wood slab that resonates with your taste and preferences the most, as the right piece awaits to bring warmth and character to your home.