Timber is grouped into two categories hardwood and softwood. For you to separate the two, physical structure and composition is the determinant. You might presume that you can distinguish them by their appearance, but that’s not the case.
For instance, Yew wood is a softwood but is a bit harder compared to some hardwoods. However, Balsa is a hardwood but the least dense and the finest. So what are the characteristics that distinguish between hardwood and softwood if it isn’t in the name?
What is softwood?
Softwood refers to timber that grows from coniferous (gymnosperm) trees. Gymnosperm trees have pins like leaves and cones. Examples of these trees are spruce, redwood, cedar, black willow, and pine.
What is hardwood?
It refers to wood that comes from deciduous trees known as Angiosperm. Angiosperm means a vessel seed. These types of trees include maple, oak, walnut, and eucalyptus. If you need a supply of this type of wood, you can get it from hardwood timber suppliers for your carpentry works. But, first, you need to know the features that make wood soft or hard.
Differences between Softwood and Hardwood
Softwood
Softwood comes from conifer trees which are evergreen and have sharp leaves.
- They are less dense and have narrow fibre.
- They have an excellent regular texture and sweet smell.
- They are softer and lightweight
- They are light in colour.
- Their resistance is poor; they burn at a high rate.
- They are less resistant to weather adversities.
- Softwoods are less durable.
- They take a short time to mature.
- They are cheap and are easy to carve.
Uses
Most softwoods are used to make:
- Roof trusses
- Cabinets and benchtops
- Wood ware
- Furniture
- Paper
Hardwoods
Hardwoods come from deciduous trees (lose leaves in fall).
- They have close fibres and are dense
- They are heavyweight
- They are dark-coloured
- Burn at a prolonged rate.
- Highly durable
- Hardwoods are weather resistant
- Growth takes a long time
- They are expensive
Here are some of the uses:
Uses of hardwoods
If you desire to make something that will serve you for a lifetime, hardwood is the best. You can contact hardwood timber suppliers to get whatever you need. Here are some of the uses:
- Flooring
- Making indoor and outdoor furniture
- Making beautiful interior and exterior joineries such as window frames, doors, and gates.
- Boatbuilding
- To make musical instruments such as Bassons, which are made of maple and wooden flutes.
- To make cooking barrels.
Here is a simple way to distinguish these types of wood.
How to tell the difference between hardwood and softwood
You can know the type of wood by using your nails. To know if the wood is soft, when you scratch it with your fingernail, it retains a clear line of damage. However, when you scratch hardwood timber, no mark will be left.
There is more to timber than just the appearance. For example, most furniture at home, school, or offices are made of wood. So, whenever you plan to buy wood, you know how to check for what you need.
