From Pine to Cedar: Wood Types Explained Simply.
🌳 Wood Knowledge: A Beginner’s Guide to Timber Types and Their Uses.
Whether you’re a professional builder or a DIY enthusiast, choosing the right type of wood is essential for any successful project. But not all timber is created equal — and each species has its strengths, ideal uses, and quirks.
In this post, we’ll break down the basics of wood types and where to use them.
1. Softwood vs Hardwood — What’s the Difference?
Softwood comes from coniferous trees (like pine, spruce, cedar). It’s usually:
• Lighter
• Cheaper
• Easier to work with
Hardwood comes from broadleaf trees (like oak, ash, walnut). It’s:
• Denser and stronger
• More expensive
• Better for furniture and high-wear areas
âš¡ Tip: “Softwood” doesn’t mean soft! Some softwoods are surprisingly strong (like Douglas Fir).
2. Indoor or Outdoor? Choose the Right Timber
• Exterior use? Go for cedar, larch or pressure-treated timber
• Interior use? Softwoods like pine or spruce work great
• Damp areas? Use moisture-resistant MDF or marine plywood
3. Treating and Protecting Wood
Untreated wood can warp, rot, or be attacked by insects.
Here’s how to protect it:
• Use wood preservers for outdoor timber
• Apply oil, wax, or varnish for internal wood
• Use fire-retardant coatings where needed
We Know Wood — and We Stock It ✅
At Flair Woodwork we supply a full range of:
• Structural timber
• Plywoods (Birch, Flexible, Marine, Maple, Poplar)
• MDF boards
• Western Red Cedar & more
Need help picking the right timber? Just ask — we’ll help you choose the best option for your project and budget 😉
Free delivery on orders over £400
Free delivery on orders over £400
Free delivery on orders over £400
Free delivery on orders over £400
Free delivery on orders over £400
Free delivery on orders over £400