If you are planning to build something around your home made out of real wood, then you are on the right track. That said, you do still have to determine the type of lumber that you are going to use.
Two popular options at your disposal include whitewood and poplar. That said, these two types of wood are different from each other, and you need to know what those differences are. Let’s determine what makes these materials different, and which one is best for you.
What Is Whitewood?
First, we have the whitewood tree, which is technically known as the tulip tree, or the American tulip tree. These trees are found in the eastern parts of North America, specifically in the USA and Canada. They can be found as far north as northern Ontario in Canada, all the way down to the Mississippi River in the USA.
These are known for being some of the tallest eastern hardwood trees around, as they can grow up to 160’. This type of wood is often used to make small items such as knife handles, as well as cabinetry and indoor furniture, and other basic indoor purposes. Whitewood is very popular because it is very fast-growing, sustainable, and not very expensive.
In terms of its appearance, it has a relatively straight grain with a fine to medium texture, can have some knots and gaps, and has a creamy white color. It is a hardwood, although it is relatively soft, and also flexible. This type of wood is not very dense either. Due to it being so flexible, it’s a popular option when it comes to crafting items that need to be bent into shape.
What Is Poplar?
We then have the poplar tree, which is a deciduous hardwood tree, although quite a soft one. Technically speaking, there are 35 species of poplar trees, and they are all part of the willow tree family. These trees are native to the northern hemisphere, specifically to the cooler parts of the world. This can be in northern Asia, northern Europe, and northern North America.
This is one of the lightest, least dense, and softest hardwoods around, and it also doesn’t have much sap or resin, which means that it is not very durable, pest-resistant, or moisture-resistant.
Poplar wood has a relatively straight grain, is very tight, and uniform, and really doesn’t have any gaps, knots, or voids. It also has a creamy, yellowish, white color. Poplar is a very popular choice as far as utilitarian purposes are concerned, especially for things like making pallets, slabs, plywood, low-end furniture, and other low-end applications, particularly for indoor use.
Whitewood vs. Poplar: What Are the Differences?
Now that we know what both whitewood and poplar are, let’s figure out what makes them different from each other.
1. Hardness
What is interesting to note is that both whitewood and poplar come in at around 540 lbf on the Janka hardness scale. We know that this is of course not a difference, but the fact that both are exactly the same is something worth noting.
2. Density
In terms of density and weight, poplar comes in at 28 lbs per cubic foot, whereas whitewood comes in at roughly 29 lbs per cubic foot. Although both have the same hardness level, whitewood is slightly heavier and denser, which can make it a bit more durable, but also harder to work with.
3. Pest and Moisture Resistance
Whitewood is somewhat pest-resistant, although not very moisture-resistant at all. On that note, poplar is not very pest-resistant or moisture-resistant. In fact, poplar is one of the least pest and moisture-resistant types of lumber around and is therefore not ideal for outdoor use. Although both of these types of lumber are not ideal for outdoor use, poplar is even worse than whitewood
4. Flexibility and Overall Strength
Something worth noting about whitewood is that it is very flexible, whereas poplar is not. In terms of overall strength and durability, the edge here does go to whitewood.
5. Appearance – Color and Grain
Poplar features a fairly straight and uniform grain with barely any knots or voids, along with a creamy, white, yellowish color. Most people would agree that poplar is nothing special to look at, which is also the case for whitewood, as it also features a relatively straight and tight grain, combined with a creamy white color.
6. Workability
Because it’s not overly heavy or hard, and because it doesn’t have many imperfections, poplar is generally considered to be a bit easier to work with than whitewood, which has more knots and is heavier.
7. Cost
Whitewood is going to cost you between $3 and $7 per board foot, whereas poplar usually won’t cost you more than $5 per board foot.
When to Use Whitewood?
If you need something relatively inexpensive and decent looking for things like indoor furniture, cabinets, small items such as knife handles, and more, then whitewood is a good option to consider. Just remember that whitewood should not be used for outdoor purposes. This material is also good to consider if you need lumber that is sustainable and eco-friendly. Due to its flexibility, this wood is also a good option for things like guitar bodies and skateboard ramps.
When to Use Poplar?
If you are planning on making low-end furniture, low-end cabinets, toys, pallets, or low-end trim, then poplar is a very good option to go with as it is affordable and easy to work with. Just remember, that just like whitewood, poplar should not be used for outdoor applications.
Alternatives to Whitewood and Poplar
If you need lumber that is very moisture resistant and ideal for outdoor use, ones such as cedar, redwood, cypress, ipe, and teak are all good options to consider.
Summary
Now that you know what all of the major differences between poplar and whitewood are, you can make an informed choice between the two for your next big woodworking or construction project.