What is Hardwood Lumber?

Hardwood is a type of wood which comes from trees with broad leaves, or trees which produce nuts. Hard woods include oak, walnut, maple, cherry trees and hickory. These are the commonly found in North America. The climate in these areas is perfect for the production of these types of woods. The lumber from these trees is always revered to as hardwood.

Different types of hardwood is different, it has been classified to some extent by strength and grade. These scores will help you to work out which material is best suited to your specific application.

One of the hardest hardwoods is the Pecan. This can handle 1,820 pounds of pressure before the wood is damaged.

Now take Aspen for example, this is still seen as a hardwood however it can only handle 350 pounds of pressure. Different trees have different scores. Cherry is about medium strength.

Hardwood can Change

Hardwood is a natural living product which can change depending on the environment. The temperature and moisture can affect this material. Trees still have a life of its own and can change a lot depending on the conditions. The wood is dried in a kiln in order to remove the moisture and stop it warping as easily. This helps to keep the finished product as stable as possible. This should help to keep the size and shape of the wood once it has been fitted.

Manufacturers of hardwood and lumber will consider these changes when designing and cutting the lumber. They will also consider what it will be used for so that it can be cut correctly.

Windsor plywood for example is normally used for a sub flooring material and so is treated to work well for this purpose. Other lumber is also available to cater for any job. Many online shops such as lumber liquidators are able to supply many different types of hardwood lumber which are mainly used for flooring applications.

You need to carefully consider the right type of lumber to use for your specific project. Different types of lumber are suitable for different types of project. It is also important to think about the look that you are striving to achieve. Many hardwoods may look very similar but they all have different durability's and strengths. You need to make sure that you choose the type of wood which is durable enough for your home. You need to make sure that you like the finish of the floor which you are installing. Consider the look more than the strength of the material.