Easy Woodworking – Hardwoods vs. Softwoods

“The medium is the message.” These are the famous words of scholar Marshall McLuhan in reference to communication, but the same maxim holds true for any artform like woodworking. The type of wood that is used has a major effect on the look, feel, and durability of the finished piece. When considering wood for woodworking projects, it is important to consider the difference between softwoods and hardwoods and which type is best suited for a particular project.

Softwood constitutes the majority of wood that you will see in your local lumber or hardware store. Common softwood types that you will find for sale are fir, pine, redwood, and cedar. Because softwood trees grow straight and fast, softwood is plentiful and fairly inexpensive. It is great for carving and can show fine detail. However, it is not very durable and the large amount of sap found in some varieties of softwood make painting and staining it difficult.

Because of their relative scarcity, greater durability, and beauty, hardwoods are more expensive than softwoods. Common hardwood types include cherry, birch, ash, maple, oak, mahogany, walnut, teak, and poplar. They don’t grow as fast as softwoods and often not straight and tall, which makes finding good lengths for woodwork difficult. This is why they are not as readily available and are more expensive than softwoods. They also have more intricate wood grain patterns than softwood and are valued for this by woodworkers who like to use them for furniture and other projects which highlight the natural beauty of wood. 

There are many factors to consider when choosing a wood type for a particular project. These include where it will be kept, what the piece is, whether it will be stained or painted, what kind of wood will be around it, whether intricate details will be carved into the wood, and your own skill level. For example, if you are planning a piece of outdoor furniture, teak is a popular choice because of its weather-resistance and the beautiful patterns created by its wood grain. On the other hand, if you are just beginning with an easy woodworking project, balsa, plywood, or pine may be the best options because of the ease with which they can be worked.

Softwoods and hardwoods differ in their consistency, availability, and expense and their strengths and weaknesses should be considered when planning a woodworking project. Remember, all woods are not created equal.