Nailing The Right Wood

Hardwood vs. softwood in construction

This is a followup post to Battle of the Boards. The choice of whether to use a hardwood like oak or softwood like pine isn't always as clear cut. So, which wood should you use for your next project?

When it comes to construction, the choice of building materials can impact longevity, functionality, and aesthetics. Wood is a timeless favorite but not all timber is the same. Hardwoods and softwoods possesses unique characteristics, making each ideal for differing construction applications.

Framing

Softwoods are commonly used for structural framing, including wall studs, roof trusses, and floor joists. They are readily available, cost-effective, and provide adequate structural strength. Hardwoods are not typically used for framing nowadays.
Common hardwoods: oak, maple, hickory or ash.
Common softwoods: pine, spruce, fir and cedar

Softwoods

• Softwood is not as dense or as hard as hardwood, but it still possesses sufficient strength to bear the weight of walls, roofs, and floors

• Easier to cut, shape, and nail, which makes it a more practical choice

• Straight and uniform grains result in straight, stable framing members

Flooring

Both hardwood and softwood are used as flooring materials.
Common hardwoods: oak, maple, cherry, walnut, mahogany, hickory and ash
Common softwoods: pine, douglas fir, cedar, and hemlock
Less common softwoods: cypress, larch and spruce

Hardwoods

Hardwoods, such as oak, maple, and walnut, are a popular choice for flooring because of their durability and attractiveness. Wood floors are available as solid hardwood planks or engineered hardwood which offers greater stability for varying humidity levels.

• Resistant to wear and tear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas

• Available in a wide variety of colors, grain patterns, and finishes, making it easier to match your decor; it is also easier to stain

• Is relatively easy to clean and maintain, and it is more stain-resistant

• Unlike engineered woods and softwoods, they can sanded and refinished multiple times, making it a more cost-effective long-term choice

L to R: Oak, maple and brazilian cherry (jatoba)

L to R: Hickory, ash and walnut

Softwoods

Softwoods are generally less durable and more prone to wear and damage, but more budget-friendly option for flooring, especially if you're working with a tight budget.

• More likely to scratch, dent, and show wear and tear over time

• Easier to install but maintenance is more effort

• Often have a more rustic appearance due to their pronounced grain patterns and color variations

• Considered sustainable as it frequently comes from managed forests, and there are numerous reclaimed options available

• More prone to warping, cupping, and shrinking when exposed to changes in humidity and temperature, which can lead to structural issues over time

• Staining softwood can be challenging, potentially resulting in unevenness
  

L to R: Cypress, spruce and pine

L to R: Douglas fir, larch and cedar

Cabinetry

Hardwood is a popular choice for cabinetry due to its durability and attractive appearance. While less common than hardwood, some softwoods can be used for cabinetry.

Common hardwoods: oak, maple, cherry and birch
Common softwoods: pine, cedar, fir and redwood

Hardwoods

Hardwoods are the preferred choice for cabinetry due to their strength, fine grain patterns, and ability to take stains and finishes well. They can also provide a polished and elegant look to kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

• Harder and heavier to work with

• Preferable for cabinets that will get a lot of use

• Provide better moisture resistance, making them more suitable for kitchens and bathrooms

• Available in a wide range of colors, from light to dark, to complement different aesthetics

• Feature a fine, tight grain that provides an attractive look

• Accept a variety of finishes, including stains and paints

• Suited for intricate woodworking and custom cabinetry projects

Softwoods

Some softwoods, like pine or cedar, are commonly used for cabinetry due to their attractive appearance and workability. They are lighter and easy to stain and paint. They are a budget conscious and eco-friendly option.

Decking

Hardwoods especially some of the imported hardwoods are highly resistant to weathering, insects, and decay, making them ideal for outdoor applications. Softwoods are less commonly used but some like cedar and redwood are insect resistant and others like pine can be pressure-treated to be more resistant.
Common Hardwoods: cumaru (Brazilian teak), garapa, ipe (Brazilian walnut), mahogany, tiger wood, batu, massaranduba and angelim pedra.
Common softwoods: cedar, pine (pressure treated), redwood, fir, and juniper

Hardwoods

• Withstand the elements, including rain, snow, and UV radiation, without deteriorating as quickly

• Low maintenance and don’t need chemical treatments

• Have natural oils and resins that make them resistant to rot and decay

• Tend to have a higher resistance to fire

• Longer lifespan than softwood decks

Softwoods

• Comes in lighter color and grain patterns that may be preferable

• Easy to install

L to R: Redwood, cedar and ipe

L to R: Juniper, hemlock and fir

Doors

Both hardwood and softwood can be used for doors, depending on the specific requirements and preferences of the project. Hardwoods, with their attractive patterns, are popular for interior doors, especially in high-end or custom applications. Softwood doors can be lighter in weight, easier to work with, and more affordable. Additionally, doors often use plywood cores for stability, to reduce warping, and to achieve a lighter weight.
Common hardwoods: oak, maple, cherry, walnut, mahogany, hickory and ash
Common softwoods: pine, fir, cedar, redwood and hemlock

Hardwoods

• Used for exterior doors to withstand weather, temperature fluctuations, and potential impact.

• Ideal for creating elegant or luxurious interiors.

• Preferred for projects involving intricate carvings, unique shapes, or complex designs.

• Frequently used in preservation or restoration projects where styles need to be matched.

• Appropriate for applications where sound insulation is desirable

• When longevity is a priority, as doors can last for decades

Softwoods

• Easier to cut, shape, and install

• Provides a smoother surface for paint

Trim and molding

Hardwoods are commonly used for trim and molding due to their fine grain and ability to take intricate details. Poplar while not as hard as other hardwoods is often chosen for its affordability and ease of painting.
Common hardwoods: poplar, cherry, oak, maple and walnut
Common softwoods: pine (clear and knotty), fir, spruce and cedar

Hardwoods

• Used when a specific grain pattern or aesthetic is desired

• Preferred for high-traffic areas

• Better for staining and finishing

• Known for their longevity

Softwoods

• Easier to cut, shape, and install

• When painting vs. staining, softwoods provide a smoother surface for paint

L to R: Oak and poplar moldings

Sheathing

Sheathing

Sheathing provides structural support to the exterior of a building or structure, such as the walls or roof. Sheathing materials can be made from various substances, including wood, oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, gypsum, and more.
Common softwoods: pine, cedar. See plywood, below

L to R: Ply sheathing, hardwood interior paneling; via Digital Buggu, Pexels and cedar siding

Exterior siding

Softwoods like cedar and redwood are commonly used for exterior siding due to their natural resistance to decay and insects. Pine can also be used with the proper treatment.
Common softwoods: pine, redwood, cedar, fir, cypress, spruce

Interior paneling

The choice of wood for interior paneling depends on the desired aesthetic. Pine and cedar paneling are often used for a rustic look, while hardwoods are chosen for a more refined appearance.
Common hardwoods: cherry, oak, maple, teak, walnut, ash, birch, alder and hickory
Common softwoods: pine and cedar

A note on plywood

Plywood is made from either softwood or hardwood. It is constructed from thin layers or sheets of wood that are stacked, glued, and pressed together to form the plywood panel. Hardwood plywood is commonly used for cabinets, furniture, wall paneling, millwork, and architectural features, such as column wraps. Softwood plywood, on the other hand, is employed for sheathing walls and roofs, subfloors, concrete formwork, and budget-friendly interior storage solutions.

Thank you for reading. Please share, like or leave a comment on these posts, which will help me reach a wider audience. Thank you for your continued support!

---

Related content:

---

If you like this post, please share or heart. If you like Architecture, please follow my Instagram.

---

Queen’s Repository