Compare wood species and finishes for a new project, or find the source of a smell in a home you already live in. Start with the question that brought you here.
ALREADY LIVING WITH A SMELL?
Locate the source before treating the room.
A familiar cedar scent does not explain every woody smell. Damp materials, old liners, laundry residue and a fresh coating need different checks.
Set a project, choose a scent preference if you have one, and narrow the list by hardness. A match is a starting point for a supplier conversation, not certification for food contact, heated surfaces, or a structural deck.
Indentation resistance, not strength, durability or heat tolerance.
Scent coverage is intentionally limited: cedar is documented; sassafras has a faint root-beer/spice note grouped under “sweet.” No verified earthy or citrus match is in this six-species set. “Vanilla” is a preference label, not a promise.
Preferences can be saved on this device. The selector sends no inputs to a server.
Compare your shortlist
6 of 6 species match
No verified species match this scent family in the current reference set. Try “Any / no preference” and inspect a supplier sample; absence from this set does not mean such woods do not exist.
No species match all three filters. Lower the minimum hardness, explore all projects, or clear the scent preference.
Illustrative grain · colour and figure vary by board
Thuja plicata
Western redcedar
Straight grain with visible earlywood and latewood bands.
Janka side hardness
350 lbf
Typical density
370–385 kg/m³
Density basis: kg/m³ at 12% moisture content. Values are averages; individual stock varies.
Scent & persistence
Aromatic cedar; intensity varies with the board and exposed surface.
Aromatic, but no controlled service-life duration is available.
Soft wood dents easily. Sauna grade, deck dimensions, and instrument sets are different products; confirm the intended use with the supplier.
Compare oil, lacquer & wax
Oil
Test a suitable oil system; it can change scent and colour.
Lacquer
Interior finish only after a compatibility sample; not a deck coating.
Wax
Low-wear interiors only; wax is not a moisture barrier.
Illustrative grain · colour and figure vary by board
Acer saccharum / Acer nigrum
American hard maple
Fine texture; often straight, with figured boards also available.
Janka side hardness
1,450 lbf
Typical density
705 kg/m³
Density basis: kg/m³ at 12% moisture content. Values are averages; individual stock varies.
Scent & persistence
No verified match to the four scent families in this reference set.
Not rated: do not choose maple for a promised room fragrance.
Select sound, untreated stock for food use. Other maple species appear in instruments; a hard-maple reference should not be substituted for their properties.
Compare oil, lacquer & wax
Oil
Sample first: clear oils can warm the pale colour.
Lacquer
Test the whole sealer and coating system on an offcut.
Wax
A low-wear option; limited protection from standing water.
Janka side hardness describes indentation resistance. It does not tell you whether a timber can carry a deck load, tolerate sauna heat or make a good soundboard. This shortlist uses published averages rather than guarantees for a particular board. AHEC reports hardwood hardness in newtons; the displayed pounds-force values are rounded equivalents. Cedar is listed at 350 lbf in the USDA Wood Handbook.
Density also depends on moisture. Most records here state 12% moisture content; sassafras is explicitly listed at 7%. Those figures should not be treated as identical laboratory conditions. Ask for the species, grade, moisture and intended application when buying stock.
Aroma is not a safety test
We do not assign a numerical scent-longevity score because there is no comparable service-life measurement in these references. A finished board, freshly cut end, enclosed drawer and heated panel can smell different. The sweet filter includes the root-beer/spice description of sassafras; it does not claim that the wood smells like vanilla.
Persistent damp, musty or chemical odours should follow the home odour source guide. A stronger fragrance is not evidence that a material is healthier, cleaner or more durable. Avoid sanding unidentified, painted or contaminated timber simply to release a scent.
Choose the finish for the exposure
The matrix compares broad finish families, not specific coating products. Oil, lacquer and wax each cover different formulations. Test the actual complete system on an offcut, and follow the manufacturer’s preparation, ventilation, curing and disposal instructions.
Sauna surfaces need a sauna manufacturer’s specification. Cutting boards need sound, untreated stock and a product labelled for that use. Outdoor decking requires exposure-specific detailing and a compatible maintenance system. Instrument finishes belong in a luthier’s build plan. If an existing coating smells sharp, use the furniture off-gassing checks before adding another layer.
All grain viewports are original vector illustrations to explain broad grain character. They cannot identify a species, verify colour or replace a real sample. About this publication explains the site’s scope, while the contact page provides a route for corrections.