What's the best wood to build shelving with if you intend to paint it?

Question

What's the best wood to build shelving with if you intend to paint it?

Answer 1

If you are going to paint the shelves, pine works just fine.  You will need to sand, prime the boards before you paint.  Use a good quality latex enamel.  Tell the paint store what you are painting and they will point you in the right direction so you get a great result on your project!

Answer 2

Oak wood comes out really nic when its painted with bright colors

Answer 3

since you are going to paint, might want to look at MDF(Medium Density Fiberboard). will be cheaper than boards, comes in pre-cut shelf sizes, and you can get them with a bullnosed rounded edge. very smooth, paints very well.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

I second MDF - no need to worry about knots, end-grain, warping etc.  All the features that make natural wood nice when it's on show just make it harder to get a neat finish when painting.

Answer 5

pine