If you want a piece of high-end wooden furniture that will last for decades, then you need to look at the type of wood that goes into creating the item. There are many different wood types that can be used, and some of them may sound foreign to you. However, the wood can be placed in two distinct categories: hardwood and softwood. Keep reading to learn about the differences between these two varieties.
Hardwoods
Hardwood trees are the ones that you see with broad leaves, and the trees lose these leaves during the cold winter months. The trees are called deciduous trees that create fruit or nuts and remain dormant during a specific season. While most of the hardwood trees used to create furniture grow in North America, there is also a distinct variety of hardwoods called tropical hardwoods. As the name suggests, they grow in tropical areas, and the woods are often imported into the United States.
Hardwoods are often hard, but this is not always true. Some woods are soft when compared to some of the softwood varieties. For example, elm and willow trees produce relatively soft wood. Regardless of whether it is hard or not, the hardwoods are quite dense. This makes them heavy, resistant to stress and damage, and optimal for high-quality furniture production.
Almost all hardwoods can be used to create furniture, but the most popular include birch, maple, oak, and cherry.
Softwoods
Softwoods are faster-growing conifer trees that have needles and remain active all year round. Since they grow fast, softwood is often cheaper. While this is true, the wood is often used for high-end furniture making. Keep in mind that the wood is not nearly as dense as hardwood, so it will be lighter in weight. This may be ideal for your home depending on a variety of factors. For example, a high-end softwood furniture piece may be a great choice for a condo on the second floor.
Also, softwoods are lighter in color, so if you have a modern home with large open spaces, then an item made from a pine or cedar might fit best. Softwoods can often scratch and dent more easily than hardwoods, so you may not want to choose one of the woods for your furniture if you live in an active home with pets and children.
If you want to know more about the types of woods that are used to make high-end furniture, speak with a furniture dealer in your area.
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