The Essential Difference Between Softwood And Hardwood Is That

Hardwood comes from a tree called the deciduous tree which produces seeds with a form of covering whilst softwoods are gymnosperms which let seeds fall to the ground as they are with no covering at all.

The essential difference between softwood and hardwood is that.

And while generally speaking the average hardwoodis a good deal harder and more durable than the average softwood there are examples of deciduous hardwoods that are much softer than the hardest softwoods. Below is a quick guide on softwood vs hardwood and how you can tell the difference between hardwood and softwood. Softwood trees generally grow faster than hardwoods and are usually less dense. Such seeds could be fruits or nuts.

In general hardwood comes from a deciduous tree which loses its leaves annually and softwood comes from a conifer which usually remains evergreen. That s why anglian offers windows from a range of timber species. Softwoods on the other hand come from trees that are known as gymnosperms. Each timber species is unique and features a different texture grain and density all of which have their own list of benefits.

In terms of fire resistance capabilities hardwood beats softwood by a high margin which is something to consider if fire hazards concern you. In general terms the names hardwood and softwood do make sense to some extent. Softwood trees are known as a gymnosperm. Hardwood has a slower growth rate.

Hardwoods tend to be slower growing and are therefore usually more dense. Trees that produce hardwood are known as angiosperms and produce seeds that are covered either with a skin or a shell. Hardwoods also attend to split when you drive in a nail which is not the case with softwoods. What s the difference between hardwood and softwood timber.

The distinction between the two woods lies within their reproduction. They are generally evergreen meaning that they do not shed their leaves in the fall and do not become dormant during winter. Evergreen trees yield softwood which is easier to cut and work with whereas deciduous hardwood trees are denser sturdier and relatively more difficult to work with. Softwood is typically less expensive compared to hardwood.

Softwood has a faster rate of growth. Softwood trees do not have broad leaves but rather have needle like leaves. Hardwoods shed their leaves over a period of time in autumn and winter. Hardwood trees grow a lot slower than softwood trees leading to their dense genetic makeup.

Whether timber is hardwood or softwood all comes down to the timber s origin. Hardwood is typically more expensive than softwood.