Hardwood or Softwood?
We are probably all used to hearing these terms but what do they mean?
The term hardwood designates wood from broad-leaved trees. Hardwood contrasts with softwood, which comes from conifer trees. On average, hardwood is of higher density and hardness than softwood, but there is considerable variation in actual wood hardness in both groups, with a large amount of overlap; some hardwoods (e.g. balsa) are softer than most softwoods, while yew is an example of a hard softwood.
Hardwoods are generally more resistant to decay than softwoods when used for exterior work, however, solid hardwood joinery is expensive compared to softwood (in the past, tropical hardwoods were easily available but the supply is now restricted due to sustainability issues). fortune timber interiors only import hardwoods from managed sources and will not use timber from uncertified high conservation value forests or from endangered forests.
Softwood
We generally group softwoods into three distinct groups, Redwood, Whitewood and Carcassing. In addition we also stock two clear softwoods, Hemlock and Southern Yellow Pine.
Whilst these last two are softwoods they are often referred to at Berrys as hardwoods as they are stocked within the same department.
European Redwood
scot pine
Redwood
For its weight, the timber is strong and moderately hard, although UK plantation-grown timber is generally slightly softer and weaker than that from other sources.
Where does it come from?
"European Redwood" and "Scots Pine" are the trade names generally used in the UK to differentiate between homegrown and imported Pinus Sylvestris.
It is mainly used for interior joinery work. At fortune timber interiors we produce most of our own skirtings, architraves, decking etc. out of redwood sourced from mainland Europe.
Redwood is graded at the sawmills "Unsorted" would be used for small mouldings such as picture rail, "Saw Falling" could be used for some architraves whilst "Fifths" would be used to make most skirting boards, windows, door casings and stairs. There are lower grades but we would not normally use these.
European Whitewood
Whitewood
Shipments of European Whitewood are made up of Norway spruce (Picea Abies).
It is sourced mainly from Norway and Finland.
It is used for floorboards and where wider boards are required; these not being available as redwood. Where we sell machined whitewood we use an unsorted grade.
Carcassing
Carcassing
This is the same timber as whitewood (i.e. Spruce) but is of a lower grade.
It is used for general construction, floor joists, roofs etc.
Although most of our carcassing has a “Rough Sawn” finish, some is now supplied with a smoother machined finish complete with eased edges.
Carcassing timber for use in construction should be kiln dried and can be specified in a number of structural grades. Most of our carcassing is suitable for structural use at C16 grade and our fully trained staff are able to grade most sizes to C24 where required.
Timber known as CLS (Canadian Lumber Sizes) is surfaced on all four sides and has rounded corners. It is produced in a limited range of sizes and is widely used in the timber frame industry. It originated in North America but is now widely produced in Europe and in the UK. It is most commonly sold for the construction of stud walls with the most popular size, by far, being 75(63fs) x 50(38fs)mm at a length of 2.4m. Scant is also used in the construction of stud walls and has a sawn finish with square corners. It has a slightly larger finished size than CLS.
Hemlock
Hemlock
Hemlock is the name given to a small number of pine species, growing in North America and Eastern Asia. The timber of Western Hemlock is pale brown in colour and somewhat lustrous with a straight grain.
It is sourced from Northern America and used for mouldings, stairs, doors and interior joinery.
Southern Yellow Pine
Southern Yellow Pine
Southern Yellow Pine is sourced from North American forests and is used as an alternative to Hemlock.
Hardwood
American White Oak
American White Oak
Imported from America, Oak is used for a wide range of internal joinery.
American Ash
American Ash
Imported from America, Ash is used for a wide range of internal joinery. It is not suitable for external use.
Shorea
Shorea
The term Shorea covers timber from various species of tree. It is a reddish brown, hard timber and is used for both interior and exterior joinery. We import Shorea from a variety of managed forests in South East Asia.
Utile
Utile
Utile closely resembles the related Sapele, both in appearance and properties, but is more open in texture due to the larger pores, and generally lacks the cedar-like odour of Sapele. It is sourced from managed forests in Western Africa. Uses include interior and exterior joinery; it is used as an alternative to Brazilian Mahogany.
Idigbo
Idigbo
Its light colour allows the wood to be easily stained to give the appearance of other hardwoods that can either be more expensive or less suitable for the intended end use.
Idigbo is sourced from Western Africa.
