Despite recent innovations in manufacturing, natural wood remains one of the most popular materials for home building, outdoor construction, furniture, cabinets, and more. Different types of wood have different characteristics, but they can be divided into two main categories. These categories are softwood and hardwood.
Choosing the right wood can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Contractors and woodworkers can read on to find out about a few of the most noteworthy differences between softwood and Hardwood Lumber in Danbury CT, then choose the right wood based on which one will best fit their needs.
Types of Trees
Hardwood lumber comes from angiosperm trees, while softwood comes from gymnosperms. Gymnosperms have needles, rather than leaves, and cones. Because of how gymnosperms transport water from their roots to their leaves, they do not have visible pores.
Angiosperms are broad-leaved, usually deciduous trees. They transport water through their trunks via vessels, which appear under a microscope as pores in finished lumber. This affects the density and composition of hardwood versus softwood lumber.
Common Uses
Hardwood Lumber in Danbury CT is used to create high-quality furniture, decking, flooring, and certain types of long-lasting structural components. Softwood is more common in windows, doors, fiberboard, and certain building components. Around 80% of lumber is softwood lumber.
Expected Density
Most hardwoods are denser than most softwoods. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, though. Certain types of hardwoods, such as balsa, are less dense while certain types of softwoods are surprisingly dense.
Expected Cost
Softwood lumber is cheaper to produce, which helps to explain its popularity as a building material. Hardwood is longer-lasting, though, which can make up for its higher initial cost.
Choosing the Right Lumber
Contractors and woodworkers who are looking for longevity should buy hardwood lumber. Those who are more concerned about their budgets and don’t need their structures to last as long can buy softwood. Choosing the right hardwood lumber usually requires the advice of an expert, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Choosing a Supplier
Finding the right supplier is arguably as important as choosing the right lumber. Check out Companies online to learn about one local company with a well-deserved reputation for excellence.