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

Plywood:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Widely available Cheap Uniform strength Easy to work with Can be finished easily with varnishes etc	Only comes in certain thicknesses Edges can splinter Doesn't do well with moisture Not as durable as natural timber

Uses: Beams, Interior structures, shipping crates

Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF):

Advantages	Disadvantages
Widely available Cheap Doesn't warp due to lack of grain structure No knots Comes in any size/thickness	Not as durable as natural timber Doesn't take nails/screws well Doesn't do well with moisture Poor surface finish without veneer

Uses: Roofing, Tables, Cabinets

Particle board:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Cost-effective/cheap Lightweight Easy to laminate Made from recycled material	Poor strength Prone to expansion in moisture Resin in particle board Is toxic

Uses: Flat-pack furniture, Flooring, Wall panelling

Blockboard:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Good stability Inexpensive Can take varnish, paint, and laminate coat Good for screwing and nailing Doesn't twist/warp Lightweight Doesn't degrade tools quickly	Weaker than natural timber Swelling can occur with moisture Prone to biological attack Short lifespan/poor durability

Uses: Shelving, furniture, Wall panels

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