| Beginning with the basics, well we all know wood | | | | sheets of wood bonded together for strength) are |
| comes from trees, but there are a few other basic | | | | widely used in the manufacture of office furniture. |
| facts. Firstly you may know of two distinct groups | | | | Birch veneers would be popular in the manufacture of |
| referred to as hardwoods and softwoods. The | | | | residential furniture, musical instruments. Teak is hard |
| strange thing is that all hardwoods are not necessarily | | | | and durable and closely associated with furniture, |
| hard, and to add to the confusion not all softwoods | | | | doors and window frames. As our knowledge and |
| are soft, in fact some hardwoods are softer than | | | | awareness of the importance of sustaining our |
| some softwoods! | | | | natural resources, iroko being a more sustainable |
| Let's take the popular wood used to construct model | | | | resource has largely replaced teak. Mahogany the |
| boats and airplanes, remember what it was called, | | | | quintessential timber choice with its red brown hues |
| yes, Balsa wood, one of the softest and lightest | | | | used so extensively in period furniture including dining |
| timbers available. Balsa is a hardwood. The Yew tree | | | | suites, cabinets and .... |
| produces an incredibly tough wood, in fact yew is | | | | Of the soft woods, pine because of its durable |
| probably as hard as one of the hardest hardwoods, | | | | nature, fast growing and relatively inexpensive is |
| but actually Yew is a softwood. You are probably | | | | without doubt ubiquitous in use. It is commonly used |
| wondering how or where did these terms confusing | | | | and closely associated with diverse product |
| terms originate? Well usually hardwoods come from | | | | categories including furniture, window frames, |
| broad-leafed trees and softwoods are associated | | | | panelling, flooring etc. Spruce is to be found in garden |
| with fir trees. | | | | furniture, decking, and musical instruments. Larch |
| Popular hardwoods used in DIY and construction | | | | because of its hardwearing and water resistant |
| projects include mahogany, birch, ash, oak, and teak. | | | | qualities is another popular softwood choice used in |
| Oak is synonymous with furniture manufacturing and | | | | the making of fence posts, boat building, and |
| is a popular choice material amongst professional | | | | structural cladding. |
| carpenters & joiners for floors, doors and timber | | | | Finally remember wood is available in a range of sizes |
| frame construction. Oak is incredibly tough wood and | | | | and formats (boards, planks, sheets etc) to suit |
| for that reason would not popular choice for novice | | | | particular applications. So understanding the qualities |
| DIY enthusiasts. Ash on the other hand is hard, | | | | of the various woods available will hopefully assist |
| strong and elastic, which is why it is extensively used | | | | you through the woods and trees to making the |
| for handles, sports equipment. Ash veneers (thin | | | | right choice. |