When it comes to choosing the right wood for decking, cladding, or groundwork, the wide array of options becomes overwhelming and sometimes, no knowledge of wood deters a person from purchasing the best one. A vast majority of the population has no idea about which type of wood is better suited for which purpose and that’s why, before you choose any type of wood on the basis of your gut feeling or just because your neighbor bought it, it is necessary to do a little bit of research. 

Covering all the woods available in the market is not possible in a single blog and that’s why, in this blog post, we are going to discuss the most common and used wood- chestnut wood. 

There is no doubt that chestnut wood is a charmer and since it last longer than your expect, most people are inclined towards it. Even professionals suggest using chestnut wood for many purposes as it surpasses the quality and features of many other kinds of wood available in the same price range. 

So, let’s take a look at all that you need to know about chestnut wood so that you can make a more informed decision. 

Chestnut wood is a common name used for two different species in the genus Castanea. The name of the two species is Sweet chestnut and American chestnut. American chestnut is usually light brown in color and over time, after being chopped off, it darkens with a reddish-brown tone. 

Even the sweet chestnut has a similar color and pattern to the American chestnut. Some people might claim that sweet chestnuts don't carry the attractive look of American chestnuts but the ability to keep rotting at bay is similar in both kinds of woods. 

Finding pristine American chestnut might turn out to be herculean for you since more than 3 billion chestnut trees were wiped out during the chestnut blight. 

Chestnut woods are used mainly for-

● Fixtures

● Furniture, and 

● Roof beams 

It is the unparalleled weather resistance feature of this wood that makes it an ideal choice for all those places where the wood needs to withstand harsh weather and wind like shipbuilding, playground, and even railway sleepers. 

You should know that even wine barrels and garden fences are mostly made from chestnut wood and since they have a lifespan of 13-24 years, you can rely upon them. During the pre-industrial era, chestnut wood was used to tan the skin. 

In all those places where traditional construction method is still appreciated, chestnut wood is increasingly being cultivated. The best part is chestnut wood has a natural ability to withstand weather and there is no need to add any chemical additives for this feature. This makes these kinds of wood perfectly suitable for eco-friendly constructions. 

In most cases, the grains of the chestnut wood are straight and this is the main reason why professionals find it easy to bend these kinds of woods. Chestnut woods easily accepts polishes, stains, and paints and that’s why even beginners can work on it without worrying about the complex woodwork methods. 

Professionals find it easy to work on chestnut wood with both hand tools and machines but this doesn’t mean one can be careless while nailing or fastening the wood. Still, a wide variety of woodworking methods can be used on these woods and this makes it one of the most versatile woods available in the market. 

You might find the lathe to be ordinary but the gluing and staining ability of chestnut wood is exceptional and this is what offers a perfect finish. Sweet chestnut is not an exotic wood but if you are going for the American chestnut, it can prove to be an extravagant affair. Even beginner can try their hands on these woods and get better results. 

Whether you are buying American or sweet chestnut, you don’t have to worry about rotting since both these kinds of wood have an excellent ability to resist rotting even when exposed to the worst condition possible. American chestnut is considered highly durable while sweet chestnut is considered to be just durable. But just because both kinds of wood are durable doesn’t mean that they even keep insect attacks at bay. 

Chestnut wood is considered ideal for indoor use but if you are planning to use it outdoors, you should be careful about water, sun, and dirt exposure. Even if you are planning to build furniture from scratch, chestnut wood can be a good option. 

Chestnut wood is suitable for various purposes and if you are looking for a wood that is long-lasting and can withstand extreme climatic conditions, you must go with chestnut wood without any second thoughts.