Hardwood vs Softwood Explained

Walk into any timber yard or builders’ merchants, and you’ll see piles of wood everywhere. But here’s the thing that catches a lot of people out – despite what the names suggest, hardwood vs softwood isn’t actually about how hard or soft the wood feels. We’ve had customers come in asking for “hard wood” because they need something tough, only to discover that some softwoods are actually harder than many hardwoods!

At Mitcham Builders Merchants, we’ve been supplying building materials in Croydon to professionals and DIYers nationwide for over 20 years. In that time, we’ve seen plenty of confusion about timber types, and it’s easy to understand why. The distinction between hardwood and softwood is one of the most misunderstood topics in the construction industry.

Whether you’re planning a garden project, building an extension, or simply trying to choose the right timber for a job, understanding these differences will save you time, money, and likely some frustration as well. Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all.

Hardwood vs Softwood: The Complete Builder’s Guide

Understanding the difference between hardwood and softwood is crucial for any building project. This guide will cover everything you need to know about these two main timber categories, helping you choose the right wood for your specific needs.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

What Actually Makes Wood “Hard” or “Soft”?

This is where it gets interesting. The terms hardwood and softwood have absolutely nothing to do with how hard the actual wood is. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees that lose their leaves every year, and softwood comes from evergreen trees that keep their foliage all year round. Here is a breakdown:

Deciduous trees – The ones that drop their leaves in autumn. Think oak, maple, beech, and walnut. These are called angiosperms, which is just a fancy way of saying they’re flowering plants that produce seeds enclosed in fruit or nuts.
Coniferous trees – The evergreen ones with needles and cones. Pine, spruce, fir, and cedar all fall into this category. These are gymnosperms, meaning their seeds aren’t enclosed (think pine cones).

Here’s where it gets really confusing: some softwoods are actually harder than some hardwoods! Yew (a softwood) is incredibly hard and was used to make longbows for centuries. Meanwhile, balsa wood (technically a hardwood) is so soft you can dent it with your fingernail.

The Difference Between Hardwood and Softwood

Now that the naming confusion has been cleared up, let’s look at the practical differences that matter when choosing wood for a project.

Growth Patterns and Structure

Because hardwood trees grow more slowly than softwood trees, their timber is usually denser and stronger. This slower growth creates tighter grain patterns and generally results in more durable timber. Whereas, softwood trees grow much faster, which is why they’re more readily available and typically cheaper.

Density and Strength

Here’s where things get practical. Most hardwoods are denser than most softwoods, which usually means they’re stronger and more durable. This is why hardwoods such as beech, maple, and walnut are typically reserved for bespoke joinery projects, including the crafting of furniture, wooden flooring, and fine veneers. But remember – this is a general rule, not an absolute one. Some softwoods, such as Douglas fir, are incredibly strong and are commonly used for structural purposes.

Appearance and Grain

Hardwoods: These often have more noticeable and diverse grain patterns. Hardwood flooring and furnishings are frequently aesthetically pleasing due to their grain.
Softwoods: Typically, their grain patterns are more consistent and straight. When it comes to structural construction, where you desire consistent performance, this can really be advantageous.

Workability

Hardwoods: Can be more challenging to work with. They’re often harder to cut and may require sharper tools and more powerful equipment.
Softwoods: Generally easier to cut, drill, and shape. This makes them popular for construction work, where speed matters.

Durability and Weather Resistance

This varies enormously between species, but generally:

Hardwoods: Many are naturally more resistant to rot and insect damage.
Softwoods: Often need treatment for outdoor use, but some (like cedar) have natural resistance.

Common Types and Their Uses

Let’s get practical and look at the timber you’re most likely to encounter and what it’s good for.

Popular Hardwoods

Oak

Extremely durable and weather-resistant
Perfect for structural work, furniture, and external cladding
Expensive but lasts for decades
Classic choice for traditional building projects

Ash

Strong and flexible
Great for tool handles and sports equipment
Good for internal joinery work
More affordable than oak but still durable

Beech

Hard and strong with a fine grain
Popular for furniture making
Takes stain and paint very well
Good for internal use, but not weather-resistant

Maple

Very hard with a light colour
Excellent for flooring and furniture
Takes a beautiful finish
Can be expensive but worth it for quality projects

Popular Softwoods

Pine

The most common construction timber
Easy to work with and relatively cheap
Good for internal framing and general construction
Needs treatment for external use

Spruce

Light and strong
Often used for structural work
Good strength-to-weight ratio
Popular for roof trusses and floor joists

Douglas Fir

One of the strongest softwoods
Excellent for structural applications
Good for external use with proper treatment
More expensive than pine, but very reliable

Cedar

Naturally weather-resistant
Perfect for external cladding and decking
Lovely smell and appearance
More expensive, but it needs no treatment

Which Wood Should You Choose?

This is the million-pound question, and the answer depends entirely on what you’re building and what your priorities are.

Choose Hardwood When:

You need maximum durability
Appearance is crucial (furniture, flooring, visible structural elements)
The project needs to last for decades
You’re working on high-end joinery
Natural weather resistance is important

Choose Softwood When:

You’re doing general construction work
Cost is a major factor
You need timber that’s easy to work with
You’re doing structural work where strength-to-weight ratio matters
The timber will be hidden (internal framing, etc.)

Cost Considerations

Hardwood is typically more expensive than softwood, let’s face it. Occasionally, much more costly. However, before picking the less expensive choice out of the blue, think about:

Durability: Hardwood may be more expensive initially, but it will last a lot longer.
Maintenance: Certain hardwoods require less constant care.
Performance: For important applications, the additional expense may be justified.

Project-Specific Recommendations

For Decking:

Hardwood: Oak, teak (expensive but incredibly durable)
Softwood: Pressure-treated pine, cedar (more affordable, still effective)

For Internal Framing:

Softwood: Pine, spruce (cost-effective and perfectly adequate)
Hardwood: Usually unnecessary and expensive

For Furniture:

Hardwood: Oak, ash, maple (durability and appearance matter)
Softwood: Pine (for painted furniture or budget projects)

For Cladding:

Hardwood: Oak (natural durability)
Softwood: Cedar (natural weather resistance), treated pine (budget option)

Questions to Ask Yourself

When choosing between hardwood vs softwood, ask yourself:

What’s the expected lifespan of this project? If it needs to last 50+ years, hardwood might be worth the investment.
Will it be exposed to the weather? This affects both timber choice and treatment needs.
How important is appearance? If the timber will be visible and aesthetics matter, hardwood often wins.
What’s the load requirement? Some softwoods are perfectly adequate for structural use.
What’s the budget? Be realistic about what you can afford.

Sustainability and Environmental Factors

When deciding between hardwood and softwood, this is a factor that is becoming more and more significant in the building industry.

Softwood Advantages:

Fast-growing trees mean quicker regeneration
Generally requires less energy to process
Often sourced locally, reducing transport emissions
Plantation forests can be managed sustainably

Hardwood Considerations:

Slower-growing trees take longer to replace
Often imported from further afield
Some species are under pressure from over-harvesting
But properly managed hardwood forests can be very sustainable

The UK government has been promoting increased use of timber in construction through initiatives like the Timber in Construction Roadmap, recognising both the environmental benefits and the need for sustainable sourcing.

What to Look For:

When buying timber, look for:

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification: Shows the timber comes from responsibly managed forests
PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification): Another reliable certification system
Local sourcing: Where possible, buying locally sourced timber reduces transport emissions

Building Regulations and Timber Choice

Building regulations don’t usually specify whether you need hardwood or softwood, but they do set requirements for structural performance, fire resistance, and durability that will influence your choice.

The Structural Timber Association provides guidance on meeting building regulations with timber construction. Key considerations include:

Structural requirements: The timber must be strong enough for the application
Fire resistance: Some applications require specific fire ratings
Durability: External timber must be adequately protected against decay
Thermal performance: For external walls, insulation requirements may influence timber choice

For major structural work, it’s always worth consulting with a structural engineer who can specify exactly what grade and type of timber you need.

Business meeting with a small building in the middle of the table

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over the years, we’ve seen the same timber-choosing mistakes crop up again and again. Here are the ones that cause the most problems:

Assuming harder is always better: Just because hardwood sounds tougher doesn’t mean it’s always the right choice. For many applications, softwood is perfectly adequate and much more cost-effective.
Ignoring treatment requirements: Choosing softwood for external use without proper treatment is asking for trouble. Make sure you understand what treatment the timber needs for your specific application.
Focusing only on price: The cheapest timber isn’t always the most economical in the long run. Factor in durability, maintenance requirements, and replacement costs.
Not considering workability: If you’re doing the work yourself, consider how easy the timber is to work with. Some hardwoods require specialist tools and experience.
Mixing species unnecessarily: Mixing different timber species in the same project can cause problems with movement, finishing, and appearance. Stick to one species where possible.
Not planning for movement: All timber moves as moisture levels change. Hardwoods and softwoods move at different rates, which can cause problems if you’re mixing them.

Why Choose Mitcham Builders Merchants?

Choosing the appropriate timber can be difficult, and as one of the top builders’ merchants in South London, we serve clients all over the country. Our experience can be helpful in this situation.

Quality You Can Trust

We work with established suppliers to ensure our timber meets proper standards. Whether you need hardwood for a high-end joinery project or softwood for general construction, you can count on consistent quality.

Expert Advice

Our staff is very knowledgeable about timber. Depending on the demands of your particular project, your financial situation, and the local climate, we can assist you in selecting hardwood or softwood. We’re glad to share what we’ve seen to work and what doesn’t.

Competitive Pricing

We keep our prices as competitive as possible without compromising on quality. We stock both hardwood and softwood options to suit different budgets and requirements.

Sustainable Options

We’re committed to offering sustainably sourced timber options. If environmental impact is important to your project, we can help you find certified sustainable timber.

The Future of Timber in Construction

Timber is becoming increasingly significant in the evolving building sector. Both hardwood and softwood are gaining popularity for several reasons:

Sustainability: Timber is a renewable resource and stores carbon
Performance: Modern engineering techniques are making timber suitable for larger structures
Innovation: New treatments and processing techniques are improving timber performance
Regulations: Changes in building regulations are encouraging more timber use

At Mitcham Builders Merchants in South London, we’re keeping up with these changes so we can offer our customers the latest and best timber options. The UK timber industry is supported by organisations like Timber Development UK, which connects over 1,500 businesses to promote sustainable wood use and innovation in construction.

Get Expert Advice on Softwood vs Hardwood

Understanding the difference between hardwood and softwood is just the first step. The real skill is knowing which one to choose for your specific project and how to use it properly.

Whether you need hardwood for a premium joinery project or softwood for general construction, we’re here to help you make the right choice. As experienced builders’ merchants in South London serving customers nationwide, we can guide you through the options and help you find exactly what you need.

Need timber for your next project? Come and see us at Mitcham Builders Merchants or get in touch to discuss your requirements. Our team is ready to help you choose between hardwood and softwood and ensure you get the right material for the job. After all, choosing the right timber from the start means your project will be built to last.

Hardwood vs Softwood: What’s The Difference?