Is Hardwood Timber Better Than Softwood Timber

Generally though softwoods are cheaper and easier to work with than hardwoods.

Is hardwood timber better than softwood timber.

When it comes to timber windows and doors there is a common misconception that hardwood is always better than softwood because it is more durable and long lasting. In many cases hardwoods and softwoods are both used for many of the same purposes with more emphasis placed on the type of hardwood or softwood and how dense it is. Whether timber is hardwood or softwood all comes down to the timber s origin. Each timber species is unique and features a different texture grain and density all of which have their own list of benefits.

For timber to be suitable for use in cladding it must have sufficient natural durability for external use i e. Different types of projects require different types of timber both hardwoods and softwoods are used for. Hardwood and softwood timber sound simple surely hardwoods are hard and softwoods are soft no. Deciding on whether to choose a hardwood a softwood or a modified timber for your windows and doors depends on a number of factors such as your particular requirements the properties of different woods and your budget.

Hardwood always lasts longer a myth. Generally speaking hardwood cladding tends to be denser darker in colour closer grained heavier and more expensive than softwood cladding. That s why anglian offers windows from a range of timber species. Due to the denseness of hardwood and the amount of natural oils it contains it takes a lot longer for the drying process to be completed.

This requires more energy and because of the nature of the wood it is commonly used for higher grade timber insinuating it is dried to a lower moisture content than many softwoods. Hardwood forests take longer to replenish due to the tree s slower growth rate. Hardwood timber comes from slower growing deciduous species which have a denser grain than softwood species from which the term hardwood derives. Hardwoods normally take longer to grow and so incur larger costs before they are even felled.

This is not the case. The clue is not necessarily in the name some softwoods can be very sturdy. Uses of hardwood vs softwood. Hardwood offers superior durability easy maintenance and formidable strength.

Hardwood timber offers a higher fire resistance than softwood. Hardwood timber is available in a range of colours and finishes and will suit almost any contemporary style setting. You may think it couldn t be much simpler than that but no. Whichever you choose it s important that the timber is correctly treated and finished so that it performs well.

Once ready the trees are themselves harder to convert into a saleable product due to the density and strength of the wood thereby accruing. Be classified as very durable durable or moderately durable class 1 2 or 3 bs en 350 2.