There are hundreds of trees that all reproduce using seeds and this is common to both Softwood and Hardwood species, but there are variations in the way that this is done. It is these variations that can affect the final composition of the material and its properties.
These properties are the strength and flexibility or rigidity of the wood and if it is resistant or not to splitting or cracking.
Softwood in not always a softer material than hardwood and a Hardwood is not always harder or denser than a softwood. Timber species and qualities vary dramatically and in botanical terms they are categorised as angiosperm or gymnosperms.
Softwood trees are fast growing gymnosperms and reproduce from cones, usually keeping their foliage all year round such as evergreens like, Thermowood, Douglas Fir, Larch and Cedar.
ThermoWood is a modified wood (either whitewood or redwood) made by heat treating softwood in a kiln at a high temperature. The heat dries out any moisture and resin. Reducing the moisture content of approximately 8-10% and enhancing a product that is 50% more stable than untreated softwood.
This process makes the product very stable and offers a high resistance to decay and fungal attack. This product is ideal for external cladding of Bin stores, with no need for additional treatment. However, it can be easily stained, just as any other softwood.
Hardwood trees grow from seeds or fruit using nature for pollination and are much slower then softwood species to grow which is why hardwood products are more expensive than softwood. Hardwoods are angiosperms and deciduous trees which lose their leaves annually like Oak, Iroko, Sapele and Cumaru pictured below.
A dense wood can split when drilled or nailed whereas a softer less dense timber will be more accepting of a nail.
You need to consider a variety of factors when choosing a wood finished product for a project. A large amount of timber species used externally can fade to a nice silvery grey colour over time when left untreated. Some wood will turn black overtime when exposed to the elements and some timber can turn blue when in contact with metal. For advice on the best species for your project click here
Machining and cutting timber for a variety of products can be CNC machined and finished off manually with our joiners to your individual requirements. We source our timber from sustainable and traceable forests, ensuring it is environmentally friendly and sustainable.
