I still remember the first time I built a piece of furniture—a simple coffee table for my living room. I didn’t know much about wood types back then, so I went with the cheapest option at the store. Big mistake. Within a year, the table started warping, and I realized there’s more to choosing wood than just the price tag. That experience taught me the importance of understanding the different types of wood and their unique properties, especially when creating something meant to last.