Juniper wood has intricate natural patterns and swirls, which is highly valued in high-end furniture making. It adds a touch of elegance to any wooden piece in your home. But is Juniper a hardwood that can also be used for outdoor applications?
In this article, our expert woodworkers analyze the characteristics of Juniper wood to help you decide if it’s suitable for your projects.
How Hard Is Juniper Wood?
Juniper wood is relatively softer wood compared to other commonly used hardwoods in woodworking such as oak, maple, or cherry. It has a Janka hardness rating of 2,780 N (626 lbf), which is lower than some hardwoods.
However, juniper wood can still be used in various woodworking projects, especially for items that don’t require a lot of structural support or heavy use.
Juniper wood is available in different varieties that are commonly used in woodworking. Each type of Juniper wood has its own unique characteristics, including hardness that is suitable for specific purposes.
Below are some of the most popular species of Juniper wood and their corresponding Janka hardness ratings:
Type of Juniper Wood | Hardness Value |
Alligator Juniper | 5,160 N (1,160 lbf) |
Western Juniper | 2,780 N (626 lbf) |
African Juniper | 3,960 N (890 lbf) |
The Janka hardness value measures the resistance of wood to indentation and abrasion. It is important in determining the durability and suitability of wood for different applications.
By understanding the different species of Juniper wood and their respective hardness ratings, you can choose the best type of Juniper for your project.
Although Juniper is generally softer than some other common hardwoods, you can use it in your projects effectively, especially those that emphasize the unique color and grain pattern of the wood.
While Juniper wood is considered softwood, it even has a higher Janka hardness score than some popular hardwoods. Let’s take a closer look at how Juniper Janka’s rating compares to that of popular hardwoods.
| Type of Wood | Hardness Value |
| Brazilian Walnut | 16,390 N (3,684 lbf) |
| Turpentine, Red Mahogany | 12,000 N (2,697 lbf) |
| Jatoba, Brazilian Cherry | 10,500 N (2,350 lbf) |
| Golden Teak | 10,400 N (2,330 lbf) |
| Satinwood, Hickory, Pecan | 8,100 N (1,820 lbf) |
| Sugar Maple, Hard Maple | 6,400 N (1,450 lbf) |
| White Ash | 5,900 N (1,320 lbf) |
| White Oak | 6,000 N (1,360 lbf) |
| American Beech | 5,800 N (1,300 lbf) |
| Northern Red Oak | 5,700 N (1,290 lbf) |
| Baltic Birch, Yellow Birch | 5,600 N (1,260 lbf) |
| Teak | 5,140 N (1,155 lbf) |
| North American / Black Walnut | 4,500 N (1,010 lbf) |
| Imbuia, Black Cherry | 4,200 N (950 lbf) |
| Red Maple | 4,200 N (950 lbf) |
| 4,430 N (995 lbf) | |
| Sweet Gum | 3,780 N (850 lbf) |
| Silver Maple | 3,100 N (700 lbf) |
| Douglas Fir | 3,158 N (710 lbf) |
| Juniper | 2,780 N (626 lbf) |
| Black Spruce | 2,313 N (520 lbf) |
| Hemlock | 2,402 N (540 lbf) |
| Cypress | 2,269 N (510 lbf) |
| Redwood | 1,868 N (420 lbf) |
| Cottonwood | 1,913 N (430 lbf) |
| Basswood | 1,823 N (410 lbf) |
| Sugar Pine | 1,690 N (380 lbf) |
| Engelmann Spruce | 1,735 N (390 lbf) |
| White Pine | 1,690 N (380 lbf) |
| White Cedar | 1,423 N (320 lbf) |
| Aspen | 1,557 N (350 lbf) |
As shown in the table above, although Juniper wood is not the hardest wood available, it is still a relatively hard softwood that can be more durable than some popular hardwoods. This means that Juniper wood can be a viable alternative to these hardwoods for certain projects.
However, it is important to carefully evaluate all aspects of the wood, including its Janka rating, durability, and other physical properties, before deciding on the best wood for a particular application.
Key Characteristics of Juniper
Juniper’s heartwood has a striking light pinkish-orange to rich reddish-brown color, which gives it an upscale appearance.
Generally, Juniper is a versatile wood, which makes it suitable for a wide range of projects. Since it’s a softwood, it has a fine texture, making it easy to cut, shape, sand, and finish.
Also, it has a remarkable ability to dry without warping or cracking due to its excellent resistance to high temperatures.
Essentially, it is easy to work with using basic tools and techniques, even for those without advanced woodworking skills. Its ease of workability makes it an excellent choice for crafting indoor furniture, cabinetry, and decorative woodcrafts.
Additionally, Juniper wood is relatively denser and tougher than other softwoods, which makes it more durable and lasts longer. In fact, it is highly resistant to decay, rot, and moisture.
However, it is vulnerable to insects and prolonged exposure to water, and may not withstand extreme weather variations. Fortunately, by applying an appropriate finish or protective coating, Juniper wood can also be utilized for outdoor projects that are exposed to harsh elements.
This treatment can help to enhance Juniper wood’s natural resistance to moisture and protect it from damage caused by weather, insects [1], or other environmental factors.
Here are Juniper wood’s main qualities:
- Fine wood fiber and even texture
- Dense softwood
- Attractive light color
- Highly resistant to rot
- Highly resistant to decay
- Excellent durability
- Tougher than most softwoods and other hardwoods
- Has a distinct pleasant aroma
Meanwhile, below are Juniper wood’s main characteristics:
- Wood Color: Light pinkish-orange to rich reddish-brown
- Type of Wood: Dense Softwood
- Density: 0.55 kg/m3
- Common uses: Furniture, Fencing, Paneling
Pros & Cons of Juniper
Like other types of softwood, Juniper wood has its own advantages and disadvantages. Below are the important benefits and challenges you must consider when using Juniper wood for your project:
Pros
- High durability
- Denser softwood
- High workability
- High versatility
- Excellent resistance to rot
- Can withstand high temperature
- High availability
- Less expensive than other softwoods
Cons
- Vulnerable to insects
- Susceptible to water damage
- Prone to dents and scratches
- Requires high maintenance
- Some find its strong odor intolerable
Uses of Juniper Wood
Many woodworkers often used Juniper wood in creating natural-looking furniture designs, where the unique appearance of the wood is valued more than its hardness. But it may not be suitable for more traditional or formal furniture designs, as its rustic look may not fit that aesthetic.
Meanwhile, Juniper wood can be used in many other woodworking projects, such as the following:
- Fencing
- Decking
- Cabinets
- Garden beds
- Crates and boxes
- Firewood
- Butcher blocks
- Decorative items
- Exterior constructions
Although Juniper wood is very versatile, working with it can also pose some challenges. One of the main challenges is that juniper wood tends to split, especially when drilling or screwing near the ends or edges of boards.
To avoid splitting, it’s important to use sharp tools and ensure to follow the correct procedure when fastening or cutting Juniper wood.
Additionally, Juniper wood requires finishing or coating to make it more durable and withstand extreme weather. So, ensure to use high-quality products on your Juniper wood pieces, especially for the outdoors to prolong their lifespan and keep them looking great for many years.
Strength of Juniper Wood
Compared to most softwoods and other hardwoods, Juniper wood is stronger and more durable. But there are other factors that you should consider when determining the strength of the wood appropriate for your project, such as compressive and bending strength.
Generally, compressive strength is a measure of the wood’s ability to withstand compression or squeezing forces along its grain.
The higher the compressive strength of wood, the more it can resist compression. This makes the wood more suitable for applications where it will be subjected to heavy loads or pressure.
Meanwhile, bending strength is a measure of a wood’s ability to withstand bending or flexural stresses, which occur when a load is applied perpendicular to the grain of the wood.
The higher the bending strength of wood, the more it can resist bending. This makes it more suitable for applications where it will be subjected to bending stresses, such as in furniture, construction, and exterior applications.
Here are the compressive and bending strengths of Juniper wood:
- Compressive strength: 32.5 psi
- Bending strength: 4.43 Gpa
Juniper wood has excellent compressive strength. Therefore, it can withstand a significant amount of force or weight pushing down on it without crushing or collapsing.
Additionally, it has good bending strength. This makes Juniper wood resists bending or flexing without breaking or snapping.
More wood guides here:
The Hardness of Juniper vs Pine
Juniper wood is significantly harder than Sugar Pine and White Pine. However, Yellow Pine is harder than Juniper wood. Here is a comparison of the Janka hardness rating between Juniper wood and Pine.
Type of Wood | Hardness Value |
Juniper | 2,780 N (626 lbf) |
Sugar Pine | 1,690 N (380 lbf) |
White Pine | 1,690 N (380 lbf) |
Yellow Pine | 3,870 N (870 lbf) |
It is also important to note that Juniper wood has a denser and closer fiber structure than Pine, making it stronger. In addition, it exhibits higher resistance to decay and rot than Pine, which makes it more suitable for applications that are exposed to environmental factors.
Therefore, Juniper wood is a superior option to Pine in terms of durability and suitability for such conditions.
Juniper vs Birch Wood: Which is Harder?
Birch is harder and more durable than Juniper wood. This is because Birch is one of the hardwoods with a higher Janka score. Therefore, although Juniper wood has high density, it cannot match the hardness and durability of Birch.
Let’s take a look at the comparison of the Janka hardness rating between Juniper wood and Pine below:
Type of Wood | Hardness Value |
Birch | 5,600 N (1,260 lbf) |
Juniper | 2,780 N (626 lbf) |
Juniper vs Oak’s Hardness
Both White Oak and Red Oak are significantly harder than Juniper wood. As hardwoods, Oak has a much higher Janka rating, making it one of the hardest and strongest woods widely used in woodworking.
Additionally, Oak is denser than Juniper wood, providing superior durability and longevity. Here is a comparison of the Janka hardness rating between Oak and Juniper wood.
Type of Wood | Hardness Value |
Juniper | 2,780 N (626 lbf) |
White Oak | 6,000 N (1,360 lbf) |
Red Oak | 5,700 N (1,290 lbf) |
Conclusion
Although Juniper is not a hardwood, it is one of the strongest softwoods and even more durable than some popular hardwoods. Due to its high density, its more resistant to wear and tear and can withstand the test of time.
Therefore, Juniper wood is also a suitable option for exterior applications and may even be a better choice than some hardwoods.
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