Hardwood is an extremely versatile material that can be used in many different applications, from veneers and furniture to construction, flooring, and boat-building.
In this article, we will discuss the difference between hardwood and softwood; then, we will describe the most used hardwoods and their specific uses in wood manufacturing.
Wood manufacturing: the most common hardwoods and their uses
As we discussed in this previous article, hardwood doesn’t mean that essences belonging to this category are harder that softwoods. Balsa wood, for example, is considered a hardwood, but it is one of the softest woods available in the market.
The difference is the fact that hardwood comes from deciduous trees or angiosperms (softwood comes from conifers or gymnosperms) that have broad leaves, produce fruits or nuts, and shed their leaves annually.
Bamboo and palm are considered hardwoods even if they are not deciduous trees.
Hardwoods have a more complex structure compared with softwoods, and many species are well-known for their prestige, beauty, and unique wood grain patterns.You must find an expert manufacturer to manage them properly.
Moreover, as they grow more slowly and require longer drying times, they are generally more expensive than softwoods and are used for projects that require maximum durability.
Here are the most common hardwoods and their characteristics.
Teak
Teakwood is one of the most popular types of hardwood. It is very strong and durable as well as resistant to weather conditions, moisture, and decay. Its natural oils also make it resistant to termites and pests.
In the sixteenth century, Dutch traders used it to make their wooden boats, but it seems that the Romans were the first to use teak for boat-building early in 50 B.C.
Besides being very strong, it does not burn easily.
Today, teak is used for many different indoor and outdoor applications and objects, such as:
- doors
- windows
- kitchenware tools
- partitions
- beds
- wardrobes
- furniture
- garden benches and chairs
- veneer
- bow risers
- gunstocks
It is also the natural choice for marine woodwork, e.g., decking, railings, cabins, and onboard furniture, as it is resilient to water damage and temperature variations. Even sunlight has little effect on this strong essence, but it must be treated with the right finish to keep its colour brilliant.
Teak is also great for panelling and flooring in kitchens and bathrooms because moisture doesn’t affect it.
Oak
Oak comes in two varieties: white and red. Red oak is also known as Black oak. It is a heavy essence, strong, and resistant to moisture and fungi.
Because of its durability, workability, and elegance, it is often used in flooring and cabinets. It is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture and is frequently used in ships and boats.
Historically, oak is used for crafting wine barrels, where spirits and liquors are aged.
Mission-style furniture is often made with solid oak even if you can also find it made of cherry or maple.
Maple
Maple is so hard, resistant, and durable that it is often used for constructing pathways. Its primary use in wood manufacturing is for high-end furniture, flooring, cabinetry, kitchenware objects, packaging components, and accessories.
It can also be found in bowling alleys and for bowling pins and is a good choice for wooden baseball bats even if it has been largely replaced by ash (it is more lightweight but equally strong).
Ash
Ashwood is very common all over the world: dozens of varieties of ash trees are native throughout North America. Its scientific name is Fraxinus, and it is a member of the olive tree family.
Ash has many properties and is very appreciated in wood manufacturing, as it is strong, lightweight, easily manageable, and resistant to shock.
For these reasons, it is widely used to make:
- furniture
- flooring
- doors
- architectural molding
- millwork
- cabinets
- wooden handles
- outdoor tools
- sporting equipment
Some types of ash are also used in building construction. Moreover, its elastic properties make it ideal for manufacturing wooden bow risers, baseball bats, and drum shells.
Going back to ancient times, people used it to create weapons and wagons and even believed it had spiritual properties or the ability to bring prosperity.
Mahogany
Mahogany wood is also known as
Honduras Mahogany. It is very sought after in wood manufacturing for its hardness and long-lasting beauty and elegance. It absorbs any kind of finish very well, and it can be easily carved, engraved, and embossed.
It is frequently used for indoor furniture but also in marine applications, musical instruments, and flooring for its strong resistance to water and scratches. It is dark colored, so it looks dust free and clean all the time.
It is also used to make solid, resistant, and elegant plywood. Thanks to its flexibility, plywood made from mahogany carries more weight without breaking.
Beech
Beech is hard and strong but less durable for prolonged outdoor use when compared with other hardwoods. Therefore, it is widely used for interior objects and household items, such as chairs and tables, as well as in flooring and plywood.
You can also find furniture made of beechwood, cabinetry, kitchenware objects and tools, knife handles, and sporting equipment. It is also used for piano pin-blocks and drum manufacturing.
It is not very attractive in its rough state; however, with the right finish, it can resemble mahogany, maple, or cherry, becoming more beautiful and elegant.
Beech timber is the best option for making chalets, houses, and log cabins.
Walnut
Walnut is popular, versatile, and durable. It is characterized by a dark color and very fine texture that make it prized by wood makers. It is also easily manageable and absorbs finishes well.
It is a favorite choice for gunstocks, as it is not excessively heavy. It is also an ideal type of wood for crafting tables, veneers, dining table sets, kitchenware objects, flooring, and cabinets.
The combination of cutting-edge software, innovative machines, manual and automatic quality control systems, and decades of experience in wood manufacturing are essential to guarantee maximum precision and the highest cost-effectiveness.
Finding an expert and reliable supplier is not easy. You must analyse all the possible companies available and find the one that can help you satisfy your clients’ requests and create successful products.
Since 1937, Minelli S.p.A. has ensured perfection in the quality and design of each product manufactured, and its experienced specialists serve customers in the best way possible, following rigorous processes and environmental sustainability.
If you have a project in mind, contact us!
