What Does Pecan Wood Look Like - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

Table of Contents

Pecan/ Hickory

American Hickory and Pecan Hickory are indeed different species of a very diverse group, however, in log form, they are virtually indistinguishable from each other and therefore often processed by sawmills and sold mixed together. Call it by either name, most suppliers do not differentiate.

You may be interested

Pecan has unique characteristics that many designers find very appealing when selecting finishes for wood flooring and millwork applications. It has an inherent wide array of color variation, caused by the natural mix of sapwood and heartwood found throughout most all planks. It is significantly lighter in color than Walnut, yet remarkably has a very similar grain and overall appearance to Walnut with the correct stain color.

You are viewing: What Does Pecan Wood Look Like

On the Janka Hardness scale, Pecan Hickory comes in at an impressive 1820, almost twice as hard as Walnut. This feature coupled with its beneficial open grain, that accepts stain very well, will significantly increase the wearability factor to withstand traffic in commercial projects.

However, when it comes to stability, Pecan does NOT fare well in comparison. Temperature and humidity fluctuations can cause Pecan to expand and contract excessively which can lead to design challenges.

So how do I choose?

There are many variables to consider when selecting a hardwood product for your project. Here are a few that are always vital in deciding which species will work best for your project.

Application and Project Location?
- The application for the material has a lot to do with proper species selection. Is it being used on a wood floor, wall, ceiling or perhaps a set of stairs? Consider the durability requirements and the Janka hardness rating of the wood.For Example, Walnut on a set of stairs will begin to show wear quickly, due to its hardness.
- The projects geographical location is also very important. Volatile climates with drastic humidity fluctuations certainly make the species stability a prominent concern.For Example, Pecan (rather unstable) specified in Colorado (a very dry climate) should be kept engineered and narrow widths to avoid inevitable shrinkage issues. Or perhaps in a beach resort restaurant, it will swell excessively with the higher humidity.
Light Exposure?
- Many species are adversely affected by the exposure to UV rays causing ambering, patina or excessive fading. Species like Maple, Walnut, Mesquite and several exotics can change color in a shorter period of time than a stained Oak or Pecan.
Design Intent… Is specie or color most important?
- Granted the depth and richness of Walnut is difficult to deny or reproduce. Many times, after considering the options, designers just insist on true Walnut to create the desired impact.
- Pecan accepts stain well and with its similar grain pattern can be an excellent substitute to Walnut. Oak has similar characteristics and can also be used in this manner, especially when more uniformity is required.