Source priority
We rely first on forest-products research institutions, wood product associations, manufacturer technical datasheets, cabinet and furniture industry sources, universities, and recognized woodworking education sources. Established publications and large manufacturer educational resources are a secondary tier. Forums and social threads are used only to learn which mistakes are common, never as the sole source for a technical conclusion.
Terminology rules
We keep the botanical meaning of hardwood and softwood separate from hardness. We keep wood veneer (real wood) separate from laminate (a manufactured surface). We do not describe engineered wood as a single material, because it is a category.
How variable properties are described
When a property depends on species, grade, thickness, adhesive, panel construction, moisture condition, finishing, or manufacturing quality, we say so. We do not reduce a material to a single claim such as “waterproof” or “strongest.”
No fabricated testing
We do not invent laboratory results, strength ratings, load capacities, moisture ratings, fire ratings, or first-hand workshop testing. When a source does not support a numeric claim, we omit it.
Corrections and updates
Errors reported by readers are checked against sources and fixed. Pages carry an update date, and substantive corrections are made without leaving placeholder or review notes in published copy.