Hardwoods appear to be of tight grain and are obtained from broad leaf trees. Hardwoods shed their leaves annually with temperature changes.Hardwoods are divided into two,based on their origin.Temperate hardwoods are found in the regions between the tropics and poles.These woods are preferred by woodworkers for their cheapness, aesthetic quality and sustainable sources.Tropical hardwoods are found within the equatorial belt,including Africa,Asia and South America.Hardwoods are of high density, heavier than softwoods and may be brittle sometimes.Hardwoods have a wide variety of properties that makes it a suitable material to use for any purpose.but they are specially suitable for outdoor use due to their strength and tendency not to rot and decay. The coloring of hardwoods ranges from light to very dark,making it specially suitable for aesthetic purposes.They are also harder to acquire in the United States so they are more expensive. Hardwoods can be cut more cleanly and leave less residue on saw blades and other woodworking tools. Mahogany, Maple, birch, Ash, Oak and Cherry are some of the most commonly used hardwoods for furniture.
Softwoods come from coniferous trees that stay green all year round. Softwoods are always not softer than hardwoods.Softwoods are most commonly found in places with lower temperatures and are less durable, lighter in weight, and are highly affected by pests and fungal attacks.They are pale in color and are of open grain so they tend to shrink and swell as they dry.Softwoods usually have a lower density,which contributes to low strength. Softwoods with low density have a greater strength with lighter weight. Softwoods are suitable for general construction,framing,trimming,finish work and carcassing. Soft woods being cheaper are used for indoor furniture.Fir and Cidar are some of the commonly used soft woods for furniture.
Man made woods are plywoods and MDF.
Factors to consider while choosing wood for furnitures:
The first and foremost important factor is the workability of the wood. How the wood responds to,when worked on by hand or tools, to adhesives and finishes and also the quality of the grain.The workability of wood is said to be high,when it shows low resistance when cutting and has a blunting effect on tools.Highly workable wood is the one you can make desired shapes and forms with ease.It will be much easier to create strong and durable glued joints, when the wood grain is straight and even. It also helps to protect the wood from splitting when nailed or screwed. Coarse grains need a longer process of filing and rubbing down the grain to produce a fine and smooth result.
Next factor to be considered is the durability of the wood and its tendency to absorb moisture.If the finished project is exposed to moisture as in the case of outdoor projects or high humidity and condensation as in the case of use in kitchens or bathrooms,then the wood needs to be highly durable so they do not rot easily.Tropical hardwoods such as teak and mahogany are used for outdoor, kitchen and bathroom due to their oily nature.
Woodworking will be a pleasure when the right wood is chosen based on the quality of the wood, its workability and durability.