by xcomputers
Any time you have a project that involves timber, you would need to make sure that you choose the right timber for the project in question. It may be critical to check for aspects such as durability, cost, and aesthetics that come with the timber in question. Having been used for centuries as building materials, humans have studied timber for the longest time. As a matter of facts, most of the building projects tend to have timber as one of the major components. One of the most common ways of categorizing wood is by classifying them as hardwood and softwood. You would need to note that each type of timber tends to come with distinct characteristics.
You would need to note that hardwood timber tends to be sourced from hardwood trees which tend to be broad-leaved trees and tend to grow at a slower pace when compared to softwood. You would also need to note that hardwood timber tends to be denser when compared to its softwood counterpart. Hardwood timber tends to not only offer a condensed but also a complex structure. You would also need to note that hardwood timber is superior and durable when compared to softwood. Among the common types of hardwood include oak, teak, iroko, meranti trees which take a very long time to grow and also tend to be quite expensive. You would need to remember that some projects tend to demand high resistance timber and hence the need to go for hardwood timber. Trees such as maple, beech, and walnuts are the best when it comes to joinery projects, fine veneers, wooden flooring and crafting furniture. Hardwood trees are known for their wood grain, color among other aesthetic characteristics. Hardwood are also known for their resistance to the weather, longevity, as well as lower maintenance cost when compared to softwood.
Softwood timber, on the other hand, tend to come from coniferous trees and tend to be both readily available accrued to their quick growth. Softwood timber tends to be less expensive when compared to hardwood timber. Softwood timber is also known to come with lesser density when compared to hardwood timber. In a case where you plan a timber project that can easily be replaced or upgraded, softwood timber may be the best option. There are also exceptions such as balsa which is a hardwood which is not as long-lasting as cedar which is classified under softwood category.
Finishes and coatings may also be used to improve both hardwoods and softwoods especially to minimize water ingress. It may be essential to go for fully processed timber since the best suppliers tend to make sure that they customize the timber you need for your project.