The human race has always had a close
relationship with trees. They have been vital for our very survival, allowing
us to make tools and shelter, as well as fuel for fires and even providing us
with food in some cases. And that's before we even mention their role in
providing clean air for us to breathe. Without trees, we would not be here.
These days most of us are more aware of the importance of trees. Their role in our continued well being is accepted and appreciated, though we still rely on them for the wood that they supply. Wood is an ideal material, with many uses and applications in our lives especially wooden furniture. Through sustainable management, we can continue to use wood without risking the environment further. We can help by learning more about different wood types and their qualities. The following guide gives some details about a selection of wood types, their characteristics, and uses.
Hard Wood Types vs Soft Wood Types
This sounds simple enough; hardwood is hard, softwood is soft, right? Well, no, actually! The terms 'hard' and soft' are more of a botanical description rather than being an accurate idea of their density and feel of the wood. While it is generally true that most hardwoods are in fact hard, and softwoods tend to be softer, there are several exceptions that we will see further along in the guide.
The basic differences between the two are as follows:
Hardwood -
- Slow-growing
- broad-leaved flowering species
- Deciduous varieties
- Seeds are produced inside a shell (like a fruit or nut)
- Dense grain
- Generally more expensive
- Mostly darker in colour
- Low in sap content
- Close grain
- Heavy in weight and density
- Good resistance to fire
Softwood -
- Fast-growing
- Evergreen - usually from the conifer, fir, and spruce family
- Needles instead of leaves
- Seeds are either uncovered or in a cone
- Less expensive
- Usually lighter in colour
- High in sap content
- Loose grain
- Light in weight and density
- Very poor resistance to fire
These distinctions are general, however,
and to find out more we have to take a closer look at each of the wood types in
turn.
Oak (hardwood)
Oak has been a favourite for many hundreds
of years, with around 200 species to be found. It is relatively abundant and
has an attractive, open grain that looks great when used for furniture. Because
of its grain, which can resemble the contours found in fingerprints, it is used
extensively for veneers (thin slices that are glued to the surface of the furniture
to provide a beautiful finish). It is available in two types; red oak and white
oak. The white variety is, in fact, more of a greyish-brown shade, while red
oak is similar but with a reddish tinge. Although both are relatively
expensive, red oak is usually the cheaper of the two. Both are dense, heavy,
and hard-wearing, making them ideal for furniture, especially noted for its
resistance to stains and scratches.
Walnut (hardwood)
Due to its scarcity these days, walnut can
be very expensive. The rich, chocolate-coloured grain makes it perfect for
veneers and it is highly-prized in the high-end furniture industry. It is
renowned for its strength and for the variety of colours that can appear in its
straight grain. Although mostly dark brown, lighter shades can be found and the
grain can contain purplish streaks. It is easy to work and is often carved or
turned by hand.
One oddity of walnut is that exposure to
iron can cause staining.
Pine (softwood)
One of the most abundant species, pine is
always cheaper than most others. It is very versatile but not as hard-wearing
as hardwoods. Varying in colour from a yellowish-brown to a creamy tone, it is
a close-grained variety and the growth rings can be seen clearly. The grain and
colour make it ideal for staining. Pine often contains 'knots', which can look
beautiful in a finished piece but can present problems when working with the
wood.
It is widely used in the construction
industry (and has been for centuries), for structural integrity as it is
strong, lightweight, and flexible.
Ash (hardwood)
This moderately expensive wood is ideal for
bending, which makes it good for curved furniture. The colours range from a
greyish light brown through to an almost reddish hue. The grain is straight and
the wood is known for its strength and is valued for its suitability in the
making of tool handles, baseball bats, and furniture (especially in the
restaurant industry where it sees a lot of heavy use). Though similar in
appearance to oak, the grain is less prone to splitting.
Redwood (softwood)
Similar to pine, but not as durable or
sustainable. Pine regenerates quicker and is about 60% stronger. Redwood is
ideally suited for outdoor furniture or decking due to its resistance to decay
and natural insect-repelling qualities. It is easy to work by hand and though
it is readily available the actual cost of the wood can vary from region to
region.
Beech (hardwood)
Like ash, beech bends well but is
considered the less attractive of the two. Nevertheless, it is still popular
today as it is extremely strong and very resistant to shock. Its tight grain
and light colour give a warm feeling to a room, and it stains well to mimic
more expensive woods, such as mahogany and cherry. One drawback is that it is
notoriously difficult to work by hand. Another potential problem is that it
absorbs moisture fairly easily, so it is not ideal for humid conditions. This
makes it unsuitable for use in coastal regions, especially for door and window
frames, as they will begin to stick. In its favour, however, beech is an odourless
wood, so a finished piece will not overpower a room with its scent.
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Mahogany (hardwood)
More so than most of the wood types here, the use of this one has become a subject of controversy in recent times. While there are a number of sub-species within the mahogany family, the name usually refers to the Honduran Mahogany. Illegal logging of this tree has led to it being listed on CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). It is still much sought after due to its excellent qualities and is very expensive, which has increased its use as a veneer wood. The rich, reddish-brown darkens over time to give an alluring sheen in the distinctive grain. It is frequently used in the manufacture of musical instruments because of the warm tone it provides.
Maple (hardwood)
The dense heaviness of this wood, along
with its moisture-resistant qualities, makes this a wood ideal for items such
as butcher's blocks and furniture that endures a high level of use. The grain
varies between being straight or bearing swirling 'bird's-eye' patterns. The
light-brown or reddish colour accepts wood stain easily to resemble a more
expensive wood. It is often used to make dining tables and dressers due to its
hard-wearing qualities.
As with most others in this list of wood
types, there are a number of varieties, but the most commonly used is hard
maple, also known as sugar maple or rock maple.
Mango (hardwood)
At the opposite end of the scale to
mahogany, mango presents a sustainable hardwood that is extremely durable,
versatile, and affordable. Mango heartwood is usually golden-brown in
appearance but darkens over time. It possesses excellent water-resistant
qualities, especially when polished or waxed. The grain is densely packed, and
though it is strong and durable (as strong as cherry or ash) it can be easily
worked by hand. Of all the wood types listed here, mango offers a way forward
for a more sustainable source of timber, allowing stocks of rarer species time
to recover. A mango tree can reach 100ft in 15 years, making it too hazardous
to harvest the fruit. In the past, the trees would be felled and burned. Now,
the timber is sold to be made into furniture, ornaments, musical instruments
and so on. This means that the farmers increase their income as well as
reducing air pollution.
Mango is prone to attack by fungus and insects while growing, which adds to the appearance of the finished product. But once it is treated the wood is safe from either of these problems.
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Yew (softwood)
A classic example of how the classification
'softwood' can be misleading, yew is actually harder and more durable than many
hardwoods! Due to the way it twists and turns as it grows, the uses of yew can
be limited. This has led to it often being used for smaller projects, such as
jewellery boxes, or being cut to make veneers for high-end furniture. It does
bend well, though, and is still used today in the manufacture of Windsor
Chairs.
Yew is notorious for its poisonous
properties, which have proved useful in recent times to make potent drugs that
are effective in the treatment of certain types of cancers.
Acacia (hardwood)
Also known around the world as mimosa,
wattle, whistling thorn, and a host of other names! It is extremely hard and
durable, with the reputation of having helped the English Royal Navy to
establish their place as a world power in the 1800s. The water-resistant
qualities of acacia made it suitable for shipbuilding, so the Royal Navy
invested in this type of wood to manufacture its legendary 'ships-of-the-line'
which ensured naval superiority at the time.
These same qualities make it ideal for use
today in conditions where it may come into contact with liquids. Untreated, it
is said to last between 20 to 40 years. It is one of the few wood types that
looks great whether polished, left natural, or varnished. Acacia does not
scratch easily and adds warmth to any home with its rich, deep brown colours.
The high resin content that makes it water-resistant also helps it to fight
against rot, odours, and stains. It also has antibacterial properties and is
easy to clean.
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Mindi (hardwood)
Sometimes called chinaberry or white cedar,
mindi wood is similar in density to red oak. It has natural anti-fungal
properties and is resistant to decay.
Although similar in texture to oak, the
grain is packed closer. It is loved by woodworkers as it is easy to work with,
mostly for smaller projects although it is sometimes used to make furniture
such as chests and cabinets. The sapwood of the mindi tree has a yellowish hue
similar to poplar, whereas the heartwood is darker. As the wood is exposed to
natural light it darkens, resembling teak or cherry.
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Teak (hardwood)
Teak is regarded by many people as the
'king of wood' due to its versatility and durability. The naturally high oil
content makes it extremely water-resistant and immune to decay and fungus. It
can even withstand high levels of heat and does not easily catch on fire. The
finished timber looks stunning, with golden brown heartwood and yellow/grey
sapwood. These properties make it suitable for a wide range of applications,
including; ship decking, indoor and outdoor furniture, veneers, turning,
carving, high-end joinery.
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Balsa (hardwood)
To end this list of wood types, balsa is
another example of how the 'hardwood/softwood' description is not as simple as
it looks. Balsa is classified as a hardwood, and yet anyone who has worked with
it knows just how soft and flimsy it actually is. The wood has an extremely low
density and is usually a white or off-white 'oatmeal' colour. It is unusually
buoyant, which accounts for its name (Spanish for 'raft') and is often used in
the manufacture of surfboards, aircraft, floats for fishing nets and so on.
Although easy to work with, the tools must be very sharp to avoid crumbling or
splitting.
There are so many other wood types, but these represent just a few of the wonderful species available. Each has its uses, some with better properties than others. By learning more about them we can perhaps manage our consumption better, to ensure they stay around to be enjoyed for many thousands of years to come.
A Guide To Wood Types See more on: Homes Direct 365 French Furniture
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