What is the difference between softwood hardwood and man made boards

Softwood and hardwood are distinguished in nature in terms of their reproduction rather than their end appearance and attributes. Softwood comes from conifer, which usually remains evergreen. The trees from which hardwood is obtained tend to be slower growing, meaning the wood is usually denser.

Hardwood is considered the ultimate versatile material, with applications ranging from exquisite veneers and furniture, musical instruments, flooring, construction and boatbuilding. It is a material of real beauty, available in countless combinations of species, specifications and colours. Because of their condensed and more complex structure, hardwoods generally offer a superior level of strength and durability.

As these grow at a much slower rate and require longer drying times, these factors drive up the cost of the wood. Hardwoods tend to be much more resilient than softwoods and are often reserved for projects that require maximum durability. Hardwoods such as beech, maple and walnut are usually reserved for bespoke joinery projects, crafting furniture, wooden flooring and fine veneers.

These types are hardwood are most suitable for these tasks as they desire particular aesthetic characteristics, such as colour and woodgrain. At Arnold Laver we have experience with hardwood gained over decades of meeting the exact timber requirements of companies and individuals. We carry what we believe to be one of the widest timber-based product ranges in the UK, and we pride ourselves on the high standards of timber. We aim to be able to meet virtually any hardwood requirement from stock.

We also offer a full machining service and can supply everything from a simple length of timber to intricate mouldings. Softwood is renowned for its versatility and strength. These standardized results are then used as a relative measure of the hardness of a wood, the results of which are fairly easy to find on the web. If you browse a Janka hardness table, you'll see that the hardest woods are tropical hardwood species, but then below that, softwoods and hardwoods are relatively randomly mixed.

So, now you know the rest of the story Let's Stay Connected. By entering your email, you consent to receive communications from Penn State Extension. View our privacy policy. Thank you for your submission!

What is the Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood? Most people think hardwood is hard, and softwood is soft. Sometimes true, but not necessarily. Real Wood - but is it hardwood, or softwood? Hardwood is hard Charles David Ray, Ph. Why do we need this? Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. Related Products. Why Does Lumber Need to be Dried? Tubing System Installation Articles.

Forest Moss Articles. Plywood is considered to be a strong board as the grain of the timber sheets are glued together in different directions.

Blockboard has a sandwich construction where the core is made from strips of softwood and the two other surfaces areas are made from hardwood veneer to produce a relatively lightweight manufactured board that is strong and durable. Each type of timber or board will function differently and can therefore be used in different environments.

Some timbers are hard and very dense , whereas some are lighter and softer to cut and work with. They are categorised as hardwoods or softwoods and this affects their properties, aesthetics and potential uses. Aesthetics relate to the way a material looks, and each example of timber has a different pattern on the grain and texture.

The way a timber looks can be altered through several methods:. Quite often MDF is laminated with a single sheet of a hardwood veneer to give the impression that solid hardwood has been used to make a product, but at a fraction of the cost.

When a tree is chopped down for timber, there is a cost to the environment. Trees are vital for our survival as they absorb carbon dioxide CO 2. Although more than one tree can be planted for each tree that is chopped down, older trees often absorb more carbon dioxide and provide more of a habitat for wildlife due to their size.

The availability of a material is an important consideration too.