Chestnut wood is a coarse hardwood from the same family as a beech tree. It is most commonly used for home construction, furniture, and cabinets. It is sanded very easily, but can be brittle, requiring carpenters to keep glue and fasteners at the ready. However, chestnut wood is beautiful once stained, similar in color to oak. For this reason it’s a popular wood to use as a veneer for flooring or cabinets.