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    Comparison Hardwood Softwood

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    Somya Sinha
    The document compares hardwood and softwood trees. It provides definitions, examples, uses, densities, costs, growth rates, and fire resistance of each. Hardwoods are typically broad-leaved trees that have vessel elements visible under a microscope. They have a slower growth rate but higher density and are more expensive than softwoods. Softwoods generally have needles and cones, and tracheids that are not visible under a microscope. They have a faster growth rate but lower density and are generally less expensive than hardwoods.

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    Comparison Hardwood Softwood

    Uploaded by

    Somya Sinha
    685 views5 pages
    The document compares hardwood and softwood trees. It provides definitions, examples, uses, densities, costs, growth rates, and fire resistance of each. Hardwoods are typically broad-leaved trees that have vessel elements visible under a microscope. They have a slower growth rate but higher density and are more expensive than softwoods. Softwoods generally have needles and cones, and tracheids that are not visible under a microscope. They have a faster growth rate but lower density and are generally less expensive than hardwoods.

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    hardwood and softwood

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    The document compares hardwood and softwood trees. It provides definitions, examples, uses, densities, costs, growth rates, and fire resistance of each. Hardwoods are typically broad-leaved trees that have vessel elements visible under a microscope. They have a slower growth rate but higher density and are more expensive than softwoods. Softwoods generally have needles and cones, and tracheids that are not visible under a microscope. They have a faster growth rate but lower density and are generally less expensive than hardwoods.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    685 views5 pages

    Comparison Hardwood Softwood

    Uploaded by

    Somya Sinha
    The document compares hardwood and softwood trees. It provides definitions, examples, uses, densities, costs, growth rates, and fire resistance of each. Hardwoods are typically broad-leaved trees that have vessel elements visible under a microscope. They have a slower growth rate but higher density and are more expensive than softwoods. Softwoods generally have needles and cones, and tracheids that are not visible under a microscope. They have a faster growth rate but lower density and are generally less expensive than hardwoods.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 5

    Comparison chart

    Hardwood versus Softwood comparison chart

    Hardwood Softwood
    Definition Trees are usually broad- Trees which usually have needles
    leaved. Has vessel elements and cones. Medullary rays and
    that transport water tracheids transport water and
    throughout the wood; under produce sap. When viewed under a
    a microscope, these microscope, softwoods have no
    elements appear as pores. visible pores because of tracheids.

    Uses hardwoods are more likely to About 80% of all timber comes from
    be found in high-quality softwood. Softwoods have a wide
    furniture, decks, flooring, and range of applications and are found
    construction that needs to in building components (e.g.,
    last. windows, doors), furniture, medium-
    density fiberboard (MDF), paper,
    Christmas trees, and much more.

    Examples Examples of hardwood trees Examples of softwood trees are


    include alder, balsa, beech, cedar, Douglas fir, juniper, pine,
    hickory, mahogany, maple, redwood, spruce, and yew.
    oak, teak, and walnut.

    Density Most hardwoods have a Most softwoods have a lower density


    higher density than most than most hardwoods.
    softwoods.

    Cost Hardwood is typically more Softwood is typically less expensive


    expensive than softwood. compared to hardwood.

    Growth Hardwood has a slower Softwood has a faster rate of growth.


    growth rate.

    Shedding Hardwoods shed their leaves Softwoods tend to keep their needles
    of leaves over a period of time in throughout the year.
    autumn and winter.
    Hardwood versus Softwood comparison chart

    Hardwood Softwood
    Fire More Poor
    Resistance
    “HDF is a highly moisture resistant material which is stronger and harder than MDF”
    “HDF is far superior compared to standard or premium MDF”

    This, unfortunately, is not at all true and is causing confusion for consumers who do not have access to
    the correct information.

    What is HDF?
    HDF (High Density Fibreboard/Hardboard) is like MDF in that it is a man-made composite panel product
    that is manufactured from compressed wood fibres. It is a stronger, harder product than MDF with a typical
    density of up to 900kg/m3. HDF is predominantly used in laminate flooring products where this density is
    required, though other uses include door skins and underlayment.
    HDF is a very thin board, with a typical thickness of 3mm-8mm, and is also often supplied perforated,
    meaning it is completely inappropriate as a substrate for creating interior mouldings. You may have seen
    HDF in your home as it is also commonly used as backing panels for furniture- if so you will understand
    how unsuited this material is for creating skirting boards and architrave!

    If you see skirting boards and architrave at thicknesses of 15mm and more advertised as being cut from HDF we
    would recommend insisting that you see the data sheet or specification for the material being used, as it will
    definitely not be an HDF. Most likely it will be a dense grade of MDF being sold under the wrong name.
    This image demonstrates the difference between various wood panel products- HDF (hardboard) can be seen on the
    far left, with the MDF on the far right being standard 18mm thickness.

    Why The Confusion?


    Not all MDF’s are created equal.
    There are different grades of MDF to suit different applications, and one of the key differentiating factors is
    the density of the MDF. The MDF we use (follow link for more information) is, as far as we can establish,
    the best MDF available for our purpose. Standard-grade MDF has a typical density of 680kg/m3 –
    730kg/m3, whereas the moisture resistant MDF that we use is a premium grade and has a density of
    800kg/m3.
    The density of MDF is important in the manufacturing of skirting boards and architrave for 2 main reasons:
    1. The more compact the fibres are, the less likely it is that the MDF will become ‘furry’ when the profile is machined.
    If MDF does become furry it can lead to imperfections in the paint finish as loose fibres get trapped by the moisture
    in the primer or paint and harden as it dries.
    2. Skirting boards need to be as durable as possible to withstand knocks and bumps from furniture and people over
    time. A denser board will have a greater resistance to damage, meaning it will last longer.
    High Density Fibreboard sounds like it should simply be MDF (medium density fibreboard) with a higher
    density. Therefore, it is easy to see why some people may think this to be the true state of things. The name
    does in fact make it sound superior to MDF because density is important (as established) and HDF has a
    greater density than MDF. The truth is that HDF and MDF are completely different products for different
    purposes.

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