Is Hardwood Always Harder Than Softwood

Softwood comes from conifers such as fir pine cedar and redwood.

Is hardwood always harder than softwood.

Upon hearing these terms you may assume that hardwood is literally harder and stronger than its softwood counterpart but this isn t necessarily true. Generally though softwoods are cheaper and easier to work with than hardwoods. Wood is categorized as either softwood or hardwood based on physical structure and makeup. Some are much denser than others making them better suited to different applications.

Likewise yew is a hard softwood. Hardwood trees are more varied than softwoods and there are about. The pelletizing process gives manufacturers precise control over the composition of wood pellets. You can also expect to pay more for hardwood compared to the same amount of softwood.

The dense wood takes longer to season or dry out typically between 1 2 years and it s harder to light compared to softwood. Uses of hardwood vs softwood. For example balsa wood is known as one of the softest and least dense types of wood yet it is categorized as hardwood. Naturally grown and harvested wood is classified as either hardwood or softwood.

Softwood is usually less dense and more resinous burns faster and produces less heat than hardwood. Not all hardwoods are equal. In most cases hardwood tends to be harder than softwood but not always. For example hard maple is extremely hard hence the name and is often chosen for uses like flooring because it can withstand the pressures it will undergo.

Hardwood is wood from deciduous trees and broad leaf evergreen trees. Softwood is good for starting fires and making kindling. The differences in the hardness of the wood can be quite varied for both hardwood and softwood. Similarly wood from the yew tree which is one of the toughest woods and is harder than most types of oak is classified as softwood.

That is hardwood isn t necessarily denser than softwood. The manufacturer and the region the wood is being procured from has more to do with pellet quality than whether it is a hardwood or softwood pellet. For instance yew wood is classified as a softwood but is considerably tougher than certain hardwoods. Are there any negatives to hardwood.

Softwood produces more flames and sometimes more intense heat than hardwood but over a shorter period of time. Likewise balsa wood is classified as a hardwood and yet it s one of the least dense and softest types of wood. Some softwoods are actually harder than hardwoods. The best example of this is balsa wood which although extremely lightweight is classed as a hardwood.

All hardwoods are angiosperms flowering plants the largest group of land plants. When you use wood in your wood stove you get the results nature made. For example a low quality hardwood is actually softer and less dense than a good quality softwood.