The term hardwood tends to be used widely to describe all floor types made from wood or laminate wood. Some wooden panels, though, are classified as softwood. We’ll explain the differences between hardwood vs softwood flooring.
Hardwood vs Softwood Flooring Explained
Hardwood refers to any wooden floors derived from deciduous trees. These are trees that lose their leaves in fall before regaining them in spring.
Softwood floors mostly consist of wood from evergreen and conifer trees, which don’t shed their leaves.
Common Hardwood Floors
Popular flooring options include maple, birch, oak, and beech. Fir, despite being a conifer tree, does lose its leaves and drop its pine needles annually. It’s therefore a deciduous tree and considered a hardwood.
Hardwood is a great option for floors in high traffic areas, such as the living room and kitchen. It’s more resistant to dents, scratches, and scuffs. This is thanks to the wood’s denser cellular structure.
Common Softwood Floors
Softwood floors are typically softer and less dense than hardwood, but not to the degree that they’re unsuitable for home use. They’re recommended as a decorative element for areas with less traffic, such as the guest room.
Typical softwood flooring options include cedar and pine. These options are typically cheaper than hardwood. It’s also a more sustainable option as evergreen trees grow at a quicker rate than hardwood trees.
Which Is Better?
Both options have their respective pros and cons. Generally, we recommend hardwood as the better overall option for its longevity and durability. You’ll pay a little more, but it’s worth the investment in our opinion.
We Provide a Multitude of Flooring Options for Lewiston Home and Business Owners
We are a major supplier of various wood floors offered in a variety of cut-styles. Contact Smiley Wood Flooring if you’re ready for a major home renovation. We provide different hardwood and softwood flooring variants.
Experts in Hardwood vs Softwood Flooring Options near Lewiston
Serving Spokane, Wenatchee, Yakima, Kennewick, Lewiston, Kalispell, Missoula & All of North America
Posted on July 25, 2022 | Published by Ignite Local | Related Local Business