Softwood is a wood product that is derived from trees and used in a variety of projects, including construction and furniture making. Contrary to the name, softwood is not always soft, but it’s usually lighter than hardwood. Because of its easy availability and cheaper price than hardwood, softwood is the most common wood used in routine woodworking projects.
If you are here, you are probably looking to know everything about softwood, including the types of softwood and its examples.
What is Softwood?
Softwood is the wood produced from gymnosperm trees such as conifers. These trees have a fast growth rate and retain their leaves throughout the year. The most common examples include pine, cedar, spruce, larch and fit.
Depending on the type, softwoods can be used for a variety of woodworking projects, including interior mouldings, making windows, furniture, plywoods, fibreboards, and construction framing.
Here, we will discuss the common types/varieties of softwood along with their respective properties and uses.
Types of Softwood Lumber With Examples
A number of wood species come under the softwood category based on their origin, characteristics and properties. However, not all softwoods are the same. It is crucial to know the right type of softwood for your project before buying one. At CameroonTimberExportSarl, we supply all the top varieties of African softwood and have experience using these woods in real projects.
Some of the most popular types/species of softwood include Pine, Cedar, Redwood, Larch, Douglas Fir, Poplar, among others.
Pine
Pine is the most versatile and popular softwood because of its easy adaptability to a range of applications. It is also the most easily available softwood timber in the world, which makes it cheaper compared to most hardwood options. Pine is used in a variety of projects, mainly in furniture making and construction.
Pinewood bends easily, which makes it a superior choice for making turned objects and furniture. It also carves and stains better than other options. It is also commonly used for flooring, framing and roofing because of its considerable durability and long life. Pine has multiple species, which differ in color, strength and other basic properties.
Cedar
Cedar is a premium softwood that is relatively denser and tougher and has high durability, which is why it’s commonly used for outdoor furniture, decking, and exterior works. Because it’s tough and has decent resistance to moisture, decay and insects, it is ideal for a variety of uses, including flooring, furniture, roofing, among others.
The fine appearance and attractive aroma of cedar also make it suitable for making indoor furniture and other objects. The Western Red Cedar is one of the most popular species of cedar and is preferred for making customised pieces because of its attractive red hue.
Redwood
Similar to cedar, redwood also has outstanding resistance to moisture, which makes it suitable for making outdoor furniture, flooring, etc. The wood has a decent life and will not decay easily. It is not as hard as cedar and is also cheaper. The products made from redwood possess high quality.
European redwood is a popular species, which is usually light in color and used for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Larch
Larch is a softwood type which is commonly imported from the UK and Siberia. It is moderately durable and is strong enough to be used in a variety of construction projects, including for building exterior design such as timber cladding. The color and properties of larch wood may vary depending on its origin.
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir, or commonly called Fir, is a red-brown softwood timber that is primarily used in buildings. The wood grain is tight & straight with a few knots. It is extensively used for joinery applications, including flooring, cladding, facades, etc. You may also know Douglas Fir from its use as Christmas trees.
The pulp made from the processing of fir is used for plywood and OSB. The moderate cost of fit makes it suitable for use in a range of applications. It is harder and stronger than most softwoods.
Buy Top Quality Softwood from Cameroontimberexportsarl
At CameroonTimberExportSarl, you can find and purchase top quality different types of softwoods that are suitable for a large range of applications. We are known for supplying the best quality softwoods at competitive prices. As a wholesale timber supplier, we can deliver softwood timber to your doorstep anywhere in the world.
To know more about our softwood varieties, prices and availability, contact us today.
