Is Hardwood Timber Better Than Softwood Timber

The timber species you choose will depend largely on your.

Is hardwood timber better than softwood timber.

Whether timber is hardwood or softwood all comes down to the timber s origin. Uses of hardwood vs softwood. Generally speaking hardwood cladding tends to be denser darker in colour closer grained heavier and more expensive than softwood cladding. Each timber species is unique and features a different texture grain and density all of which have their own list of benefits.

Hardwoods normally take longer to grow and so incur larger costs before they are even felled. Hardwood timber is available in a range of colours and finishes and will suit almost any contemporary style setting. The clue is not necessarily in the name some softwoods can be very sturdy. That s why anglian offers windows from a range of timber species.

Hardwood offers superior durability easy maintenance and formidable strength. 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. 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.

You may think it couldn t be much simpler than that but no. Hardwood always lasts longer a myth. Different types of projects require different types of timber both hardwoods and softwoods are used for. Hardwood timber offers a higher fire resistance than softwood.

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. Generally though softwoods are cheaper and easier to work with than hardwoods. Once ready the trees are themselves harder to convert into a saleable product due to the density and strength of the wood thereby accruing. Typically more expensive than softwood mahogany will set you back more than pine for a list of reasons.

Whichever you choose it s important that the timber is correctly treated and finished so that it performs well. Be classified as very durable durable or moderately durable class 1 2 or 3 bs en 350 2. 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 forests take longer to replenish due to the tree s slower growth rate.

This is not the case. For timber to be suitable for use in cladding it must have sufficient natural durability for external use i e.