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The use of Wood has been conditioned by its resistance, hardness, malleability, conservation and robustness, allowing it to be a raw material for use in various projects such as: construction of floors, panels and canopies. Also, diverse furniture for interior decoration, such as: built-in closets, tables, beds, shelves, kitchen furniture, doors, and other furniture and ornaments to complement the decoration and stand out in each place where they are installed.
The Types of Wood are cataloged or ordered into two large groups, these being: “soft woods and hard woods”. In the group of Types of Soft Woods, there are: cedar, pine and fir, among others. On the other hand, the group of hardwoods includes: walnut, oak, cherry and beech tree wood.
Apart from these characteristics and classification, there are other peculiarities that vary for each type of wood. These peculiarities and distinctive nuances are: the color of the wood, the knots they have, the veins; characteristics that allow selecting the type of wood according to the tastes and requirements of the type of furniture or structure that you want to make.
Wood makes up most of the trunk of trees. The composition of the wood is based on cellulose fibers and lignin. Since ancient times it has been used as a raw material for the construction of weapons. Then, when it was used together with metal, it increased the manufacture of objects that have served to improve the quality of life of men, be they: boats, carriages, furniture, houses, and other useful objects.
Man has also used it as a renewable fuel, called firewood, which is used to generate heat, fire and light. Likewise, processed it is raw material to produce pulp for paper. To obtain wood from the trees, several steps have to be fulfilled, they are these: 1. Cut down the tree; 2. Separate the trunk from the branches and the bark from the stem or wood; 3. Cut the trunk and 4. Separate the wood and dry or dehydrate.
Types of Wood
The difference between the woods is determined by the species of the trees. The classification that is most used to indicate the Type of Wood is conditioned by the hardness of the wood, which, as previously indicated, classifies them into two large groups: softwoods and hardwoods. In earlier times, men used the hard wood for the construction of axes. While the soft wood was used to make rods or sticks.
hard woods
Slow-growing tree species produce trunks with a denser stem or wood that is more resistant to inclement weather, unlike softwood. Forest technicians have determined that most of the hardwood tree species are deciduous trees and very few are evergreen, they are species with a slow process of maturity that can take even centuries to reach it.
Hardwoods are more expensive than softwoods in view of the slow growth of the trees from which the hardwood is harvested, which increases its cost. With this type of wood, furniture, beams, houses, wood carvings or other objects are produced that require a resistant, robust wood, characteristic of the wood of beech, teak, hornbeam, lapacho, maple, walnut, oak and others. Chestnut wood is of medium hardness, so it can be included in this group of species with hard wood.
Soft woods
Different species of conifers and other fast-growing tree species are the producers of softwood. Because it is easier to obtain, the costs of softwood are cheaper. This softwood is less durable than hardwood. This wood is easier to handle but has the disadvantage of splintering. It has less grain than hardwood, which makes it less attractive and therefore often has to be painted, varnished or stained. The species pine, birch, poplar, balsa, cypress and others. Chestnut wood is of medium hardness and can also be used as a softwood.
Tree Species
Below are the names and characteristics of different species of trees, whose wood or stem falls into the list of hardwood and softwood categories. Among the softwood species are Pine, Fir, and Cedar. Among the names of hard wood are Maple, Beech, Mahogany, Teak, among others.
The Fir
The wood of the Fir tree is of the softwood type, it can be obtained in different places in Central and Eastern Europe, for this reason it is easily obtained in countries such as Spain. The characteristic of this wood is its light yellowish white color, it is an easy wood to handle. Fir wood is used to produce furniture, musical instruments and in construction to make doors and windows, it is characterized by its high resistance to humidity.
Pine
Pine wood is soft, like that of other conifers. Because it is a very soft wood, it is easy to work with and is used for sculpture. Pine wood is one of the most economical woods frequently used in construction. Currently, most softwoods are known by the generic name "pine"; when sealed, they acquire a honey-colored hue. It is easy to work with and its texture is even, making it a popular choice among carpentry professionals for furniture, paneling, and moldings.
Cedar wood
Cedar trees provide softwood. The most common cedar species has reddish wood with a light aroma, a slightly soft texture, and a straight grain. Western red cedar is a highly sought-after wood for furniture and outdoor items because it is resistant to moisture and does not rot. It is an economical wood used for making garden furniture. It is also interesting to learn about the insects that affect wood.
maple wood
Maple wood falls into the hardwood category. It is a wood that can be found in different parts of the world. Its color is quite light, and its tone can range from white to yellow and pink tones. Although it falls into the hardwood category, its wood is of medium hardness and has a short lifespan. However, it is used for construction and also for making furniture and musical instruments. Its wood is not considered valuable in the market.
Beech wood
The beech tree has a very hard wood. This tree is distributed throughout Europe and is quite easy to find in Spain. The color of its wood is reddish and as it ages it becomes darker. Despite being a very hard wood, it is quite manageable, it is used to make musical instruments, and for all kinds of furniture. It is a fairly strong wood.
Ash wood
This tree from the European continent can also be found in some American countries. It has very good quality hardwood, however, it is not considered valuable. Its color is light brown, its wood is quite resistant to shock and bending. It is a wood used to build support structures, it is often used for interior doors. It has the particularity of having straight fibers and its knots similar to partridge eyes.
The expensive Walnut
Being a wood that falls into the hard category, it is quite expensive. This wood is very striking and with characteristic veins. The color of its wood is dark with a purple hue, its wood due to its hardness is resistant to cracks, blows and is very compact, so it is suitable for different uses. This wood is used to make furniture, wall coverings, floors, doors, various ornaments, turned objects and others.
The Oak
This hard wood is obtained with reddish and white color. This wood is easily obtained in Spain and is highly appreciated for being one of the hardest woods found on the market. Due to its hardness it is difficult to manipulate and work, it is a very beautiful and aesthetic wood with a high economic value in the market. This wood is used for the construction of luxurious furniture, wood paneling for walls and floors.
Mahogany wood
The mahogany tree is native to America and its wood began to be appreciated by Europeans during the conquest of the New World. It is a wood used for the manufacture of mahogany furniture, the color of this wood is reddish brown to dark red. It is a hard wood, resistant to woodworms, with a fine grain, it is a hard wood and good to work with and is highly appreciated by cabinetmakers. Its wood is used to make floors, furniture, decorative elements for interiors.
teak
Teak is a highly valued hardwood among carpenters. Its honey-yellow color is uniform and has a light grain. When exposed to light, it darkens slightly, acquiring a deep brown color, a very beautiful color that people enjoy. This wood is resistant to rot and insects, and is easy to handle and has a smooth finish. It is an appropriate wood for furniture and load-bearing structures; it resists impact and bending.
If you want to continue learning about nature, I invite you to read the following posts:
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