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Shopping For Lumber? 2 Reasons To Choose Hardwood

7 April 2015 by Jacob Reed

If you are like most novice woodworkers, you might not be able to tell the difference between hardwood and softwood lumber at first. Instead of carefully weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each option, you might fill your cart with whatever variety fits your budget. Unfortunately, making the wrong lumber choice could leave you with a lackluster project later. Here are two reasons you should choose hardwood, and why you won't regret your decision:

1: It Is More Durable than Softwood

Have you ever wondered why softwoods like Pine and Cedar cost so much less than hardwoods like oak and mahogany? Although it might seem like simple price gouging, the fact of the matter is that softwoods come from trees that grow much faster, which drives down the price.

Unfortunately, this character trait affects more than your pocketbook. When trees grow faster, they tend to be more porous, which makes them more susceptible to moisture retention, bending, and warping. However, because hardwood trees take their time to grow, they have a lower moisture content and a more complex structure, which makes them more durable. Here are a few reasons this might matter to you when you choose lumber:

• Interstate Moves: Are you planning on moving to a rainy state from one that had a hotter, drier environment? If so, that airborne moisture could penetrate your wood, which could make it warp.   
• Structural Integrity: A slight bend in your lumber might not matter much if you are making a children's toy, but what if you are designing furniture that needs to preserve its strength? Unfortunately, if you decide to use softwood to make a chair, table, or dresser, you might end up with bent panels or an unstable base.
• Fire Resistance: In addition to staying straight and true, hardwood is also more fire resistant than other varieties. Softwood trees like pine and fir produce highly flammable tree sap, which is actually distilled to make volatile compounds like turpentine.  Also, because hardwoods are denser and there are fewer places for oxygen to hide, lumber harvested from hardwood trees doesn't catch on fire as easily.

When you start shopping for lumber, carefully consider how your project will be used. If it doesn't need to remain structurally stable and you are more concerned about price, a softwood might work well. However, if you want to make something that will be around for a while, consider investing in durable hardwood instead.     

2: It Has More Personality

When it comes to trees, hardwood is worth waiting for. Although they take a long time to mature, the wood tends to have a lot more personality, which makes it perfect for furniture, tabletops, and special projects. Unlike softwood trees, which typically contain a straightforward texture and a bland color, hardwood varieties are available with these special characteristics:

• Color: If you want to add a little drama to your furniture piece, hardwood is the way to go. With colors ranging all the way from deep black to bright red, you can put an exotic spin on whatever you are making.    
• Grain Patterns: Color isn't the only exciting thing about hardwood. In addition to neat swirls and fascinating stripes, there are also varieties of hardwood that have grain patterns that resemble animal stripes. For example, Zebrawood contains long dark striations next to lighter wood, which might give your project a dash of visual interest.  
• Texture: Anyone can sand a piece of wood until it is smooth, but what if you want lumber with a little texture? Hardwoods like Kempass have a course texture and a lustrous finish.   

When you shop for hardwood, keep in mind that more exotic options might come along with a steeper price tag. However, if you know how you want your piece to look and you are willing to spend the money, hardwoods can help you to make your project truly special.   

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