Since the dawn of civilization, wood has been used in construction, only second to stone in the construction industry. Several decades later, wood is still quite popular in the domestic setting. Wood has several varieties, each with a unique set of properties. This makes wood a versatile building material for homes and pieces of furniture. However, versatility is the tip of the iceberg; the benefits of wood as a building material are long that we shall explore later. Therefore, without further ado, we will discuss three primary types of wood.
Why Is Wood Used In Construction?
Wood is a sustainable material found in nature, and with proper planning, wood can serve our needs for a lifetime. Furthermore, wood is easy to work on. Apart from these, wood exhibit the following qualifications that make it a favorable choice of material:
- Wood is lightweight yet sturdy.
- Wood provides excellent insulation from electricity and is a bad conductor of heat as well.
- Wood also absorbs sound and echo. Therefore, it can provide you with much-needed soundproofing in your garage or home library.
Users can choose from several shades and grain patterns. Moreover, aesthetically, wood provides an exquisite feel that many homeowners yearn for.
Hardwood:
Hardwood is angiosperms that produce seed in a covering like a fruit. Furthermore, they rely on animals such as bees and birds for pollination and seed dispersal. They are slow growers, which makes their wood dense, but more importantly, this makes them rare and expensive. High density makes them durable, and they read low in sap content, adding to their fire resistance. Consequently, hardwood is used in structures that must last. Hence, hardwood finds its use in decks, flooring, beams, paneling, and high-quality furniture. Here are a few widely used hardwood varieties:
- Walnut.
- Maple.
- Oak.
- Cherry Wood.
- Birch.
Softwood:
Softwood trees are gymnosperm that produces seeds in a cone-like covering, with the wind being their greatest pollinator. These trees are also evergreen, with rustling leaves year-round, and apart from all that, they can grow really fast. Their fast-growing nature leads to less dense wood with more sap content. However, that doesn’t mean that they are not sturdy and reliable; some softwoods can give hardwoods a run for their money in terms of strength. Softwood is easier to work with and is less expensive than hardwood. Consequently, many structures around your house utilize softwood. Some common softwood options are:
- Spruce.
- Pine.
- Ceder.
- Fir.
Engineered Wood:
Engineered wood is made from sawdust, adhesives, and other additives. They are basically manufactured from the leftovers, and soft and hardwood remain. However, engineered wood like plywood provides an edge in using dimensions that is difficult to obtain from hard or softwood. Here are a few commonly used engineering woods are:
- Plywood
- Oriented strand board
- Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
- Composite board
- Cross-laminated timber (CLT)
Do you know how you can appreciate the wooden structures around you? It’s simple by taking good care of it and staining it to protect it. For wood staining needs, contact TX Home Works at 281-841-6146.