Hardwoods and Softwoods

• Hardwoods come from deciduous trees and are usually slower growing, denser, and more expensive.
• Softwoods come from coniferous trees and are faster growing, lighter, and often cheaper.

Oak:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Extremely strong and tough – ideal for structural uses Attractive grain and finishes well Weather and fungal resistant Durable for outdoor and indoor furniture	Heavy and difficult to transport Expensive compared to softwoods Prone to splitting if improperly seasoned Tannins can corrode steel fittings

Uses: High-end furniture, flooring, beams, exterior benches

Teak:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Natural oils make it highly water-resistant Durable and long-lasting outdoors Attractive golden-brown colour	Very expensive due to demand and growth time Oily nature can make gluing difficult Harvesting raises sustainability concerns

Uses: Yacht decks, outdoor furniture, high-end flooring

Beech:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Hard and dense – good wear resistance Machines, turns, and finishes exceptionally well Relatively inexpensive for a hardwood	Not suitable for outdoor use Can warp if dried too quickly Susceptible to insect attacks if not treated

Uses: Tools, workbenches, furniture, toys

Pine:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Inexpensive and widely available Lightweight and easy to shape or cut Can be stained or painted easily	Soft – easily dented or scratched Prone to knots and resin pockets Requires treatment for outdoor use

Uses: Flooring, low-cost furniture, interior joinery

Spruce:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Good strength-to-weight ratio Easy to cut and shape Good acoustic properties for instruments	Not durable for outdoor use Prone to warping if untreated

Uses: Musical instruments, boxes, panels

Fir:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Straight grain – stable and predictable Good availability in large dimensions Resists shrinking and twisting	Not naturally rot resistant Low resistance to insect attack

Uses: Beams, posts, construction frameworks

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