hardwood · Fagus grandifolia
American Beech wood properties
Also known as: beech.
| Type | hardwood |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Fagus grandifolia |
| Modulus of elasticity (MOE) | 1,720,000 psi |
| Specific gravity | 0.72 |
| Density (approx) | 45 lb/ft³ (3.7 lb per board foot) |
| Janka hardness | 1,300 lbf |
| Shrinkage (tangential / radial) | 11.9% / 5.5% |
| Movement coefficient (CT / CR) | 0.00431 / 0.00190 |
| Region | Eastern United States |
A 1 in x 6 in x 8 ft board of American Beech weighs about 15.0 lb (roughly 45 lb per cubic foot). Its Janka hardness of 1,300 lbf is harder than about 59% of the woods in our database.
Uses and working notes
Common uses: flooring, furniture, veneer, railroad ties, turned objects.
Durability: Rates non-durable to perishable; insects attack it readily.
Workability: Turns, finishes, machines and glues well; steam-bends nicely though it moves considerably in service.
Use this data
Similar woods
Woods with comparable hardness and density to American Beech:
How these numbers were sourced
MOE, SG (12% MC), Janka and shrinkage from The Wood Database (cites USDA FPL Wood Handbook). CT/CR from the FPL/Hoadley table where listed. Uses, region, durability, workability summarized from The Wood Database. Price indicative.
Values shown as estimates rather than sourced constants: typicalPricePerBF_usd.
Sources
These calculators are for planning and estimation. Engineering results (shelf sag, wood movement) use published average material properties; real boards vary by grade, grain, moisture and defects. Verify load-bearing designs with a professional.