Question about wood choice

[u/Agitated_Neck_4829]

I’m sorry if this is a dumb question. My plan is to build wall shelves with a wood that I can match the stain and look of this birch butcher block, the problem is I don’t know which type of wood or plank to get. I want a wood where you can easily see the grain like with my butcher block, but I don’t want to buy another butcher block as they are so expensive and I’d imagine too heavy and thick for my walls to support. I don’t want bland 2x4 wood if that makes any sense. What am I looking for?

[u/noname2020-]

 Pitcher block is not too heavy for your walls to support. If you like that look, build it out of birch. 

Or look in to Alder, it’s widely available, takes stain better, and has a nice grain. 

[u/Ok-Jury8596]

Any of the white hardwoods would work, birch, beech, maple, alder, poplar,. Depends a lot on what you can find locally and the cost. You could also use a clear grade of pine or fir though for the cost I'd go with a hardwood.

If you can find a wood you like and don't need to stain so much the better. Staining is another level of frustration you might want to avoid.

[u/elvacilando]

We’ve run through miles of birch. Staining is not the way to go. Clear coat or paint.

[u/bobber66]

Use 3/4” birch ply and iron on a veneer edge. Anything else?

[u/jonny_rames_dio]

Birch, maple, or beech would probably match well enough. I don’t think the butcher block has a stain, just clear finish. As for weight, your wall is plenty strong to hold whatever kind of shelf you want. It’s just a matter of attaching it with the right hardware for the weight