When it comes to wooden furniture, most of you know there are various types. Do not think its down to the hardness of the wood that actually characterizes them apart. When all said and done as with most things, it’s a a little more intricate.
How effortless it was to cut the wood at logging sites is perhaps where the original names of hardwood and softwood came from. While usually it is correct that most hardwoods are harder than softwoods, there are oddities such as balsa, which is classed as hardwood but is actually softer than any softwood out there.¨
To find out whether a tree is classed as hard or soft, we have to go all the way back to its procreation. A tree seed that has a covering on (angiosperm) are classed as hardwood, although seeds that have no covering (gymnosperm) are identified as softwood. Softwoods keep their needles or leaves during the whole year and grow much rapidly than hardwoods. Even though softwood has nearly 100 less variations than hardwood, it comprises of over 3/4 of the world’s timber production. Mahogany, walnut and ash are the typical trees connected with hardwoods, while cedar, redwood and yew are the trees typically associated with softwoods.
The microscopic makeup of the trees shows the most meaningful differences. Pores which enable water transportation are common in hardwoods but deficient in softwoods. This is the source of characteristics between hardwood and softwood furniture calibre. When picking quality furniture, the softwood is generally found wanting compared to the hardwood. Its surface is more scratch resilient and since the furniture is more substantial, it is solid and therefore lasts longer. Bold attractive patterns in hardwood make it an attractive purchase for the discerning buyer.
Softwood does have benefits regardless of the drawbacks. Since softwood trees grow rapidly, it is cheaper and is also more environmentally friendly because of faster forest regeneration. A lot of casual furniture is made of softwood due to this and the fact that the wood is not as difficult to process, which means the cost is kept low.
Softwood furniture requires additional care compared to hardwood due to the greater possibility of receiving scratches and structural damage during every day use. On the other hand, with some care, hardwood furniture can last for centuries. To give an example of this; many generations of your family could have sat in the hardwood seats in your local church.
Wood’s most damaging adversary is humidity. Fluctuating humidity can led to swelling, shrinkage and splintering in porous hardwood. Shortly we will be publishing an article on the care of wooden furniture; if you would like to read how to look after and preserve this natural commodity keep an eye on our site.