In terms of wood, you will find both kinds of wood (hardwood as well as softwood) in ample quantities and at very affordable rates. Both have different characteristics and features and both are used in different situations altogether. According to the vendors of structural hardwood posts, in terms of characteristics, they differ on the basis on grain, texture, colour and finish. Because there is such a huge variety available in the markets, finding the best one is always a challenge, but experts say that this challenge can be surpassed easily with the help of knowledge about the both types. This knowledge is what we have filled in this blog post, so let us not waste any time and start the blog.

Types of Wood (The Wood Database)

Dealers of structural hardwood beams as well as timber hardwood say that hardness is the quickest way to determine the right kind of wood. Some people go by the name and assume that hardwood means harder wood and softwood means softer wood, but this not the fact. Basically, hardwood like timber hardwood, etc. comes from flowering trees, while the softwood is the product of conifers. The similarity about these wood types is that both of them can be used in all kinds of construction projects as well as manufacturing industry as well.

Hardwood

  • Mostly hardwood comes from angiosperms such as maple, oak and walnut and these trees are known for shedding their leaves naturally once per year.
  • Because of a very slow growth-rate, hardwood will have very dense wood fibres (fibre tracheids and libriform fibres) and that make it perfect for structural hardwood posts and structural hardwood beams.

Softwood

  • On the other hand, there is softwood, i.e. mostly created by gymnosperms and come from tree species such as pine, spruce, fir, cedar, juniper, redwood, and yew.
  • Since these trees grow tall and straight, cutting long straight planks become very easy.
  • Softwood is commonly used in building material such as structural frames, exterior and interior wall cladding, fittings, floor coverings, formwork, and scaffolding, among others.

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