ABSTRACT
All timber can be classified as either softwood or hardwood. Although these terms do, in fact, relate to the relative hardness of timber (hardwoods generally tend to be denser and therefore harder than softwoods) the distinction is actually based on botanical differences in cell structure. Softwoods are derived from a family of trees which produce cones and have needle-like leaves that generally (larch is a notable exception) remain both green and on the tree through the winter; hence the term ‘evergreen’. Conversely, hardwoods have broad leaves which are shed at the end of each growing season. In house construction, softwoods are generally used for structural purposes including rafters, joists, and partitions. Hardwoods are more likely to be used for joinery; floor boarding, doors, kitchen unit fronts, or in circumstances where its decorative features and durability will be appreciated, staircase balustrading, for example. In house construction man-made ‘wood-based products’, usually based on saw mill waste (chipboard flooring, strand board, MDF skirtings and mouldings etc) are increasingly replacing natural timber.
