The Right Wood for Your Home, Hardwood vs. Softwood
There are many types of wood out there so how do you know you are choosing the right one for your home project? Do you go for the prettiest one, the one that looks the strongest, and the cheapest one? How do you know the one you chose will work for what you bought it for, what happens if it isn't strong enough for the job? There are a couple things to think about before entering the lumber yard ready to purchase your wood, first think of what you need the wood for and what is the look you were hoping for. Then think about the area you are using the wood for, how reliable and strong will it need to be over time, not all woods were created equal. The best thing to do before purchasing wood for your home project is to do your homework, and then speak to a friendly expert at the lumber yard; they will be able to give you the best information possible.
Hardwood comes from trees which the leaves fall annually and bloom in the spring usually producing fruits or flowers. Some hardwoods from trees are Ipé, Tigerwood and Garapa these are all excellent woods for building things such as decks. Softwoods come from trees with needles, trees that remain green throughout the year and drop cones. Some softwoods from trees are cedar, redwood and treated pine, these woods are perfect for inside home projects like tables and all do very well with stains and sealers.
Ipé is an extremely solid and heavy wood, it is resistant to moisture and insect infestations, it has very little expansion due to weather, and amazingly even without any treatments at all it will last for over 40 years. It is visually unaffected by dog scratches or high heel dents, and naturally has beautiful rich colors such as walnut brown, olive and mahogany reds. Tigerwood is one of the most beautiful woods in the world, with black-brown streaks it has a tiger stripping look, and golden hues to deep red and brown Tigerwood has a high-class appearance. Tigerwood is very thick and sturdy and will keep in great condition for up to 25 years, it is also resistant to moisture and insects, making this wood strong and elegant. Garapa is more of a yellow/white color and is also a strong wood at an amazing price; it is not as strong as Ipé or Tigerwood but still a durable hardwood. Garapa used outdoors for decking will last 10-15 years and up to 20 if taken really good care of.
Cedar wood is good for many things indoors and out, it has natural preservatives and is a strong durable wood, with beautiful amber to reddish brown colors. Redwood is similar to cedar but with blond coloring all the way to rich dark reds, and also has natural preservatives making it a good wood to use indoors or outdoors. Treated Pine woods are a very affordable wood but have a tendency to warp or twist more than cedar or redwoods do. Since Yellow pine lumber does not have a natural preservative like cedar or redwood it is treated with a copper-based preservative which helps protect from rot, decay or infestations.
So there you go the hardwoods and softwoods, hardwoods are like they sound, they are hard, strong, durable, and dense. They are great for outdoor projects and will last a very long time. Softwoods are also good woods, some better than others, most with natural preservatives, but these are the woods you really want to choose for your indoor DIY projects, building tables or bookshelves are perfect for these woods.
Hardwood comes from trees which the leaves fall annually and bloom in the spring usually producing fruits or flowers. Some hardwoods from trees are Ipé, Tigerwood and Garapa these are all excellent woods for building things such as decks. Softwoods come from trees with needles, trees that remain green throughout the year and drop cones. Some softwoods from trees are cedar, redwood and treated pine, these woods are perfect for inside home projects like tables and all do very well with stains and sealers.
Ipé is an extremely solid and heavy wood, it is resistant to moisture and insect infestations, it has very little expansion due to weather, and amazingly even without any treatments at all it will last for over 40 years. It is visually unaffected by dog scratches or high heel dents, and naturally has beautiful rich colors such as walnut brown, olive and mahogany reds. Tigerwood is one of the most beautiful woods in the world, with black-brown streaks it has a tiger stripping look, and golden hues to deep red and brown Tigerwood has a high-class appearance. Tigerwood is very thick and sturdy and will keep in great condition for up to 25 years, it is also resistant to moisture and insects, making this wood strong and elegant. Garapa is more of a yellow/white color and is also a strong wood at an amazing price; it is not as strong as Ipé or Tigerwood but still a durable hardwood. Garapa used outdoors for decking will last 10-15 years and up to 20 if taken really good care of.
Cedar wood is good for many things indoors and out, it has natural preservatives and is a strong durable wood, with beautiful amber to reddish brown colors. Redwood is similar to cedar but with blond coloring all the way to rich dark reds, and also has natural preservatives making it a good wood to use indoors or outdoors. Treated Pine woods are a very affordable wood but have a tendency to warp or twist more than cedar or redwoods do. Since Yellow pine lumber does not have a natural preservative like cedar or redwood it is treated with a copper-based preservative which helps protect from rot, decay or infestations.
So there you go the hardwoods and softwoods, hardwoods are like they sound, they are hard, strong, durable, and dense. They are great for outdoor projects and will last a very long time. Softwoods are also good woods, some better than others, most with natural preservatives, but these are the woods you really want to choose for your indoor DIY projects, building tables or bookshelves are perfect for these woods.
