Comparison chart
| Hardwood | |
|---|---|
| Density | Most hardwoods have a higher density than most softwoods. |
| Cost | Hardwood is typically more expensive than softwood. |
| Growth | Hardwood has a slower growth rate. |
| Shedding of leaves | Hardwoods shed their leaves over a period of time in autumn and winter. |
Similarly, what are the characteristics of hardwood trees?
The Difference Between Softwood And Hardwood
| Characteristic | Hardwood | Softwood |
|---|---|---|
| Originates from | Deciduous trees | Evergreen trees |
| Examples | Oak, Teak, Mahogany | Pine, Spruce, Fir |
| Price | More expensive | Less expensive |
| Density | Typically harder (but not always) | Usually softer (but not always) |
Also Know, what defines a hardwood? In general, hardwood comes from a deciduous tree which loses its leaves annually and softwood comes from a conifer, which usually remains evergreen. Hardwoods tend to be slower growing, and are therefore usually more dense. Softwood trees are known as a gymnosperm.
Beside above, what are the characteristics of softwoods?
Characteristics. Softwood is usually wood from gymnosperm trees such as pines and spruces. Softwoods are not necessarily softer than hardwoods. In both groups there is an enormous variation in actual wood hardness, the range of density in hardwoods completely including that of softwoods.
What is hardwood used for?
Hardwood is most commonly used for flooring, but can also be used for a range of things including cladding, panelling, buildings, fencing, boats and outdoor decks.
13 Related Question Answers Found
What is another name for hardwood?
Another word for hardwood. Any of numerous deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Quercus, bearing acorns as fruit.
What are examples of hardwood trees?
Examples of hardwood trees include alder, balsa, beech, hickory, mahogany, maple, oak, teak, and walnut. Examples of softwood trees are cedar, Douglas fir, juniper, pine, redwood, spruce, and yew. Most hardwoods have a higher density than most softwoods. Most softwoods have a lower density than most hardwoods.
Why is softwood cheaper than hardwood?
Softwoods come from coniferous trees which have needles instead of leaves. Softwoods grow faster than hardwoods and so are cheaper they are also easier to work with as they are softer than hardwoods. Softwood sizes are confusing because they are smaller once they are planned.
Is Apple a hardwood?
Hardwood trees are angiosperms (flowering plants) also known as broad-leafed trees, and they are mostly deciduous (lose their leaves in the winter). Examples of hardwood trees: All fruit trees (apple, banana, cherry, citrus, fig, jujube, mulberry, olive, pawpaw, pear, plum, quince, etc.)
Is Mahogany a hardwood?
Mahogany is a straight-grained, reddish-brown timber of three tropical hardwood species of the genus Swietenia, indigenous to the Americas and part of the pantropical chinaberry family, Meliaceae.
Where do we get wood from?
Wood is an organic material, meaning it comes from nature. Specifically, the part of nature that wood comes from is the trunks and branches of trees. If you cut through the trunk of a tree, there are several rings that tell you how old the wood is.
Is Mango a hardwood tree?
Mango is a hardwood. Hard wood usually comes from broadleaved trees, while soft wood is harvested from coniferous trees such as pine. Harwood trees take longer to grow to maturity than softwood trees. Generally, hardwoods are harder than softwoods.
What are the disadvantages of hardwood?
The main disadvantage of hardwood flooring is its cost. It can be very pricy to add hardwood floors to your entire home. Also, it’s not just the materials you have to worry about. Hardwood flooring is also difficult to install and requires specialized help, not to mention that the installation is pricy as well.
What are the different types of softwoods?
Explore the different softwood species that can be used for building and designing: Douglas Fir. Eastern White Pine. Hem-Fir. Ponderosa Pine. Redwood. Spruce-Pine-Fir. Southern Pine. Western Red Cedar.
What is made out of hardwood?
Many things once made of hardwood are now made of ceramics, plastic or softwood. Hardwoods are often used to make items that get used a lot because of their density. These items include furniture, flooring, and utensils. Furniture made by hardwood joinery is more expensive than that made from softwoods.
What are the advantages of softwood?
Redwood, Pine and Douglas Fir softwoods grow faster than hardwoods, which makes them cheaper than hardwoods. For our joiners, softwoods are easier to work with and faster to process. They also come in more reliable sizes and qualities than hardwoods, and can cover a wide range of uses in construction.
What is a type of softwood?
Softwood. Softwood is a type of wood that is cut from trees belonging to gymnosperms, such as coniferous trees. By contrast, hardwood typically comes from angiosperm, deciduous and broad-leaved trees. Trees that lose their leaves in the autumn, such as oak.
How hard is Mahogany?
The Janka Hardness Test is used to measure the capacity of different species of wood to withstand pressure. For example, Mahogany has a Janka Hardness of 800 (lbf), and Brazilian Walnut has a Janka Hardness of 3,680 (lbf).