Woods

Using these general rules will help you answer most questions relating to Hardwoods and Softwoods:

• Hardwoods tend to be more expensive due to the longer time to grow to maturity
• Hardwoods tend to be denser due to slow growth times, this makes them more durable, stronger, harder and tougher than softwoods
• Hardwoods tend to be darker than softwoods

Oak:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Strong Works Well Durable	Expensive Heavy Prone to Splitting Can be Physically Hard

Uses: Garden furniture, construction, High quality furniture

Mahogany:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Easy to work Durable Finishes well Very few knots	Grain can be variable Prone to warping Prone to Splitting Physical hardness varies

Uses: Furniture, Veneers, Floorboards

Beech:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Physically hard Tough Polishes well	Can be prone to warping Not suitable for outside applications Can be difficult to work

Uses: Workshop benches, School desks, Furniture

Jelutong:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Straight grain Easy to work (low density) Little tendency to warp or split Durable	Can be easily stained Sap blunts tools Relatively expensive Suspect to biological corrosion

Uses: Carving, model making, patternmaking

Balsa:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Lightweight Easy to work Grows very quick (sustainable)	Can be expensive Not very durable Not waterproof

Uses: String instruments, model making

Pine:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Easy to work Straight grain Affordable	Prone to knotting Not very durable Rots/corrodes easily

Uses: Roof joists, Floorboards, Construction, Furniture

Cedar:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Doesn't warp easily Easy to work Naturally resistant to wear and decay	Prone to knotting Susceptible to biological corrosion Highly flammable unless treated

Uses: Garden sheds, Decking, Floorboards

Larch:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Aesthetically pleasing Easy to work Good availability	Natural resins can damage tools Prone to knotting/warping Difficult to treat

Uses: Furniture, Cladding, Boatbuilding, Veneers

Redwood:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Aesthetically pleasing Very durable Doesn't warp	Easily dented Expensive Can have irregular grain

Uses: Furniture, Construction, Exterior furniture, Veneers

Using these general rules will help you answer most questions relating to Natural timbers and Manmade timbers:

• Manmade boards are not limited by the size of the tree, they can be created in any size, shape or thickness
• Manmade boards are often covered in a wood veneer for greater strength, durability and for aesthetics
• Manmade boards are harder to recycle due to the adhesives in them
• Manmade boards tend to be cheaper than natural timbers due to lower quality wood
• Manmade boards don't have a grain (except Plywood) which makes them stable in all directions and easier to machine
• Manmade boards are more readily available
• Manmade boards are made from recycled timber so they are more sustainable

Please refer to Section 1.4 - Composites to learn more about man made boards.

---

Topic test:

Interactive flashcards: