Is American Redwood A Hardwood

Softwood is typically less expensive compared to hardwood.

Is american redwood a hardwood.

The guide to american hardwood species. Types of wood comparing american hardwoods softwoods and tropical hardwoods. Wood density and specific gravity the following chart will tell you how much weight you can expect from your wood selection. The mechanical values listed at the top of the page represent the averages between both old growth lumber and second growth lumber.

Redwood has a rating of roughly 450 pounds while cedar has just 350 pounds. Redwood lumber is very soft and lightweight with a decent strength to weight ratio. Wood products are known for their natural beauty but when selecting a type of wood for your next cabinetry flooring furniture or millwork project it is important to also consider the level of durability by understanding the difference between wood types. As a resource american hardwoods are abundant renewing and sustainable and an excellent choice for eco effective design and building.

A north american redwood tree is one of the world s tallest trees. When you compare the janka rating scores on both redwood and cedar there is a clear winner. Redwood is considered a softwood because it is a gymnosperm but redwood for flooring is considered a hardwood and it is considered the median. Examples of softwood trees are cedar douglas fir juniper pine redwood spruce and yew.

The wood s appearance is characterized by a curly grain with old growth having a deeper red color. The higher the number the more durable the hardwood is expected to be. There is one coastal california sequoia sempervirens tree that holds the tallest tree record at nearly 380 feet it is called hyperion many of these trees locations are not given due to land property concerns logging issues and complications from unofficial visitors. Most hardwoods have a higher density than most softwoods.

The density of a wood is determined based on the multiple growths and physiological factors such as age diameter height radial growth geographical location site and growing conditions etc. This guide features 20 of the most abundant and most often used hardwood species. Most softwoods have a lower density than most hardwoods. It is also exceptionally stable with very little shrinkage or seasonal movement.

Thus we recommend reserving this species for outdoor furniture fencing decking. A simple comparison of the lb ft3 of cedar and any other species will tell you what you can expect in added weight. Hardwood is typically more expensive than softwood. With less abundance than western cedar redwood stands as another rot resistant softwood.

Using the janka scale redwood is 1290 and used as a.