MATERIALS : Nailing Down Best Uses for Soft, Hard Woods

Wood is generally categorized as hardwood or softwood, but the terms don’t always accurately describe a particular type of wood. Some softwoods, such as Douglas fir, are harder than some hardwoods, such as Philippine mahogany.

Softwoods come from cone-bearing (coniferous) trees such as hemlock, pine, cedar and redwood. They are generally cheaper and easier to find than hardwoods.

Softwood is used mainly in structural framing, scaffolding, flooring, shingles, decking, concrete forms and other building uses. Some softwoods (sugar pine, for instance) are excellent for furniture and moldings.

Lumberyards and many home centers carry softwoods in standard dimensions and lengths, called dimensional lumber.

Hardwoods come from deciduous trees--those that seasonally shed their leaves such as oak, cherry, birch and maple. Most hardwoods are stronger and longer-lasting than softwoods; they usually cost more and have better surface-finishing properties. Hardwoods can be cut, joined and turned as successfully as softwoods provided your tools are razor-sharp. Not all hardwoods are available at lumberyards. You may have to locate a special dealer (check under “Lumber” in the Yellow Pages), or order from a woodworking supply catalogue.

Softwood

All of these common softwoods are closed grained.

Western hemlock, with very fine texture, is a lightweight wood that can be worked by machine easily. It’s used in construction and as the central plywood layer.

Eastern red and Western red cedars are both highly decay-resistant and lightweight. Both are also fairly easy to work and finish well. Eastern red cedar is used for chests and closets. Shingles, moldings and doors as well as boats are often made from Western red cedar.

Eastern white pine and sugar pine are lightweight and have a medium texture. Both are easy to work and have minimal shrinkage. Eastern white pine is used for containers and knotty paneling while sugar pine is commonly used for doors, frames and window blinds.

Redwood has a medium texture, is fairly heavy and is highly decay-resistant. It finishes fairly well and is used for boards, joists, posts and outdoor furniture.

Douglas fir has a coarse texture and is fairly heavy. It is moderately workable but does not take paint readily. It’s used for piling, plywood veneer and residential framing.

Hardwood

Closed grain hardwoods include yellow birch, black cherry, true mahogany and sugar maple.

Yellow birch has a medium texture. It’s heavy and difficult to work, but it finishes well. It’s used for cabinets, cupboards, plywood veneer and doors.

Cherry, also of medium texture, is fairly heavy and moderately easy to work. You’ll find it used for furniture, fine veneer paneling and caskets.

Both true mahogany and Philippine mahogany are highly decay-resistant and easy to work.

True mahogany is heavy and is used for furniture, fine veneers and paneling. It has a closed grain, fine texture and finishes well.

In contrast, Philippine mahogany is lightweight and has an open grain and variable texture. The finish may be blotchy. It’s used in heavy construction, industrial flooring and lower-quality furniture and shelving.

Sugar maple is heavy with medium texture. It’s difficult to work but finishes well. It’s used for furniture and flooring such as that found in dance halls and bowling alleys.