Hardwood Vs Softwood: Which Is Best?

August 21, 2024

Hardwood vs softwood, which is better? It’s something we’re asked a lot.

But did you know there are some ‘hard’ softwoods and some ‘soft’ hardwoods?

The terms don’t mean one is better than the other. In fact, there’s a lot to know about hardwoods and softwoods before you can be sure you’re using the best wood for your specific project.

While you might think a hardwood is only good for certain jobs or a softwood can’t stack up against its counterpart, you might be surprised to find out just how versatile both types of wood can be.

Hardwood vs Softwood: Know Your Wood

Knowing the difference between hardwood and softwood can help you make the right choices for your different projects. With all the info on hand, you can make a more informed decision, and your work will benefit from it.

Let’s start with the basics. What’s the difference between hardwood vs softwood?

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees that lose their leaves annually. These trees grow slower, resulting in denser, stronger wood with intricate grain patterns. Because of their undeniable aesthetic appeal, they’re a popular choice for flooring, furniture and ‘luxury’ joinery projects, both DIY and trade.

Softwood comes from coniferous trees that have needles and remain evergreen. These trees grow faster, resulting in less dense, lighter wood with a more uniform grain. Because of their specific grain pattern, they’re remarkably easy to work with, so you’ll often find softwoods used in home DIY projects and commercial building projects.

The important differences between hardwood vs softwood when it comes to woodworking is in the structure of the wood. Hardwood has a more complex structure which makes it denser, while softwood’s simpler structure makes it easy to manipulate.

All About Hardwood

Advantages…

Density and Strength: Hardwood is generally denser and stronger than softwood, making it more resistant to dents, scratches and wear.

Durability: Many hardwoods are naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects, increasing their lifespan, especially in outdoor applications.

Aesthetic Appeal: Hardwoods often have rich colours, intricate grain patterns, and a luxurious feel that adds character and warmth to projects.

Disadvantages…

Cost: Hardwoods are typically more expensive than softwoods due to their slower growth rate and longer drying times.

Workability: Some hardwoods can be more challenging to work with due to their density.

Our Hardwoods

At E.O. Burton, we offer a wide range of hardwoods, each with their own desirable properties, including:

American White Oak: Renowned for its strength and distinctive grain, often used in flooring and cabinetry.

American White Ash: Known for its elasticity and lighter colouring, it’s perfect for any application where flexibility and strength are a must.
American Black Walnut: Prized for its rich, dark hue and fine grain, walnut it a firm favourite for luxury furniture-making.
Cherry: Just as its name suggests, cherry offers a warm reddish tone that’s popularly used in musical instruments.
Iroko: Need an alternative to teak? Iroko is the ideal wood as it’s weather-resistant and highly durable to boot.
Idigbo: Versatile and ideal for both indoor and outdoor projects, this lightweight and light-coloured wood is easy to work with.
Maple: With a fine, even grain, maple is often used on kitchen worktops and flooring.
Poplar: This is an affordable go-to, specifically for uses like trim and mouldings, as it’s easily planed and painted.>
Sapele: Similar to Mahogany with a reddish-brown hue, this wood boasts a fine grain that’s ideal for quality joinery projects that will stand out.
European Oak: Widely used in premium flooring, furniture, and even wine barrels, this oak has beautiful patterning and durability.
Keruing: An often overlooked wood, Keruing is often used for the most demanding outdoor applications, like bridges and railway sleepers.
Dark Red Meranti: One of the more cost-effective, this type of Meranti can be used outdoors and indoors and is particularly suitable for doors, windows and garden furniture.

All About Softwood

Advantages…

Cost-Effective: When it comes to hardwoods vs softwoods, softwoods are generally more affordable than hardwoods, making them a budget-friendly option for many projects.

Workability: Softer and lighter than hardwoods, making them easier to cut, shape and manipulate.

Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of applications, including construction, furniture, and DIY projects. When treated, softwoods can be as durable as some hardwoods.

Sustainability: Many softwoods are fast-growing and readily available, making them a more sustainable option in some cases.

Disadvantages…

Less Durable: Softwoods are generally less dense and more prone to dents, scratches, and damage than hardwoods.

Susceptibility to Rot: Some softwoods are susceptible to rot and insect damage, requiring treatment or protective finishes for outdoor use.

Our Softwoods

At E O Burton, we stock only quality softwoods such as:

Southern Yellow Pine: A strong and durable choice that you’ll see used in structural applications, furniture and flooring. Due to its high resin content, this wood is highly resistant to decay and insects when treated.
Western Red Cedar: Resistant to rot, decay and insects, this wood was made for jobs like fencing, decking and cladding. Not to mention its sweet smell, making it a popular choice for saunas.
Larch: A durable softwood, larch is resistant to water and rot, so it’s ideal if you need a wood that will stand the test of time as fencing, furniture or cladding. A warm colour and fine grain add up to make this wood a trade favourite.

So, Hardwood vs Softwood. Which is Best?

The answer to hardwood vs softwood really does depend on the project.

Here are some of the most common uses of each:

Hardwood

Stairs and rails for an extra flair of beautiful grain patterning.
Flooring that’s durable enough to last the years.
Fencing and decking that has a luxurious touch.
Sleepers for decoration or structural use.
Furniture that needs to be sturdy and stylish.
Worktops that create a focal point.

Softwood

The structural framework of houses, including: wall studs, floor joists and roof trusses.
Doors & window frames that need to be resistant to rot, water ingress and insects
Furniture that needs to be cost-effective and simple to make, ie flatpack furniture
Fencing that needs to last the years and keep looking great
Decking that is both budget-friendly and durable