Wood Species Archives - Moslow Wood Products (Virginia) Archive |

Ever wonder what the difference is between softwoods and hardwoods? Contrary to their name, softwoods aren’t weaker than hardwoods. They do tend to grow quicker than hardwoods, and because of that, they are less dense. Softwood comes from coniferous trees (trees that keep their needles all year long). Some common types of softwoods are pines, spruces, cedars, and firs. These woods are also usually lighter colors. Hardwoods, on the other hand, grow slower and produce a much denser wood, which is also heavier than softwoods. Hardwoods come from deciduous trees (trees that drop their leaves each year). Some commonly used types of hardwoods include walnut, maple, cherry, oak, and birch. We enjoy working with hardwoods because of the wide variety of colors as well as the grain patterns and textures that make for beautiful and creative wooden products. These woods tend to have darker colors than softwoods. So are hardwoods or softwoods better? It all depends on your project! Generally, hardwoods are the better choice, because of their more dense structure. However, another big consideration is the finished appearance. If you’re planning on painting your custom wood item, you probably won’t want to choose a high-end wood like mahogany or walnut. You could choose something less expensive; like alder, bass wood, poplar, or baltic birch plywood. If you are specifically looking for the striking patterns and charm of woods like oak, walnut, or cherry; take advantage of their grain with a clear lacquer and bring out their best.