The Softest Hardwood

The actual number listed in the wood profile is the amount of pounds force lb f or newtons n required to imbed a 444 11 28 mm diameter steel ball into the wood to half the ball s diameter.

The softest hardwood.

Wood is categorized as either softwood or hardwood based on physical structure and makeup. This means manufacturer backed warranties expert advice and professional installation. A hardwood named quipo cavanillesia platanifolia is commonly reported as the softest known wood with an alleged janka hardness of 22 lb f 98 n. Similarly wood from the yew tree which is one of the toughest woods and is harder than most types of oak is classified as softwood.

There are some hard softwoods as well as soft hardwoods. Universal hardwood is a real store. If we can not help you with your wood floors then we will send you in the right direction. Hardwood comes from angiosperm or flowering plants such as oak maple or walnut that are not monocots.

On a hardness scale alder ranks just above pine and poplar. The most common test for testing wood hardness is known as the janka hardness test. This happens to be generally true but there are exceptions such as in the cases of wood from yew trees a softwood that is relatively hard and wood from balsa trees a hardwood that is softer than softwoods. However the wood is omitted from this list for two main reasons.

For the hardest woods you need to look for exotics not domestics. The most durable flooring woods will be hardwoods such as oak walnut ebony maple ash and pecan. Exotics are sourced from areas like indonesia and south america. We have been in business for decades and are here to work for you.

For example balsa wood is known as one of the softest and least dense types of wood yet it is categorized as hardwood. Depending on the type of your project you may need either or both of the different kinds of wood. First it is virtually unobtainable and not commercially available outside of its natural range in central south america. Softwoods such as fir pine and hemlock rarely work well as flooring materials except in a shop or utility area.

Softwood hardwood table image. Although classified as a hardwood alder is one of the softest of all hardwoods and is more commonly referred to as a semi hardwood. And while this example lists just some of the most popular hardwood species there are hundreds of varieties representing the north american hardwood population. Similarly we expect softwood to be soft and light.