Hardwoods and Softwoods Flashcards
Properties of Softwoods
Grow in colder climates, trees are often evergreen, fairly cheap and readily accessible
Properties of Hardwoods
Grow in warmer climates, slow-growing, more expensive than softwoods, trees are usually deciduous.
Wood tends to have a tighter grain and be denser and harder than softwoods (exception = balsa)
Properties of Pine
Strong and cheap
Knotty, which makes it hard to work with
What is pine used for?
Telegraph poles, fences and cheap furniture
Properties of Larch
Attractive colour, harder, tougher, more durable than most softwoods
Also resistant to rod which makes it good for decking
What is larch used for?
Decking, cladding the outside of buildings and fence posts
Properties of Spruce
Hard, with a good strength-to-weight ratio
Knotty, and not very durable
What is spruce used for?
Used for structural purposes, such as aircraft, crates and ship masts.
Properties of Oak
Tough, durable and very strong. Attractive grain markings (especially when quartersawn), and finishes well.
But corrodes steel screws and fittings, and expensive
What is oak used for?
Interior panelling, flooring and furniture
Properties of Mahogany
Durable and easy to work with.
Expensive
What is mahogany used for?
Used for good quality furniture
Properties of Beech
Hard enough to resist being dented.
Can be bent using steam.
What is beech used for?
Chairs and toys
Properties of balsa
Very low density, and very soft, making it easy to cut and shape, and has a high strength to weight ratio.
What is balsa used for?
Modelling
Properties of Ash
Tough, absorbs shock well, attractive
What is Ash used for?
Tool handles and wooden sports equipment, furniture
