Wood is beautiful, no matter which one you choose, however, it is not so easy to make the right choice; there is a type of wood which is better for each particular project, whether it is for your floor, barn doors, furniture, the home or office. The hardness of wood varies widely according to which type you use. Here is a basic comparison of American hardwoods, softwoods, and tropical hardwood, which are unfortunately often misused according to their properties and qualities. The hardness of wood is measured using the Janka rating system.
Hardwoods
Wood is beautiful
Hardwoods are deciduous trees with wide broad leaves; they produce nuts or fruits and go dormant in the winter. These trees are grown in temperate climates and thrive in North American forests, with hundreds of different varieties. They include maple, oak, ash, poplar, and cherry species. They are excellent for durable use in flooring and furniture and are very popular because of their beautiful markings, variations of colors and grains.
Tropical Hardwoods
These woods come from trees that are not native from the US, as they grow in tropical forests around the world. They include teak, mahogany, rosewood, and wedge. Some of these woods are very durable and perfect for wood flooring. They come in an incredibly wide array of grain, hardness, and patterns. As always when choosing wood, you need to do your homework before making your final decision, to be sure you are choosing the right wood for your next project.
Softwoods and conifers
These majestic trees, prevalent in the US, have needles rather than leaves, and they include redwood, pine, cedars, fir, and hemlock. Softwood is primarily used for lumber structure and is very seldom used as a decorative wood.
It is not easy to choose the right type of wood for your home or business; you know which grain or color you want, but to be sure you are not making a mistake, take the advice of a professional. Come and visit T&G Flooring in one of our showrooms either in Denver or Evergreen, or if you cannot come, give us a call. Wood is our business; we are the best in Colorado.