Wood

1. Wood Hardwood, softwood, manufactured boards Quality, cost and sustainability

2. Hardwoods • Hardwoods come from broad-leafed trees, generally deciduous trees: trees that shed leaves in the winter. Some hardwoods are not decidiouous. • They generally grow slower, resulting in harder wood, but… • It doesn’t mean they are hard – balsawood, used for model aeroplanes, is very light and soft

3. Hardwoods • Beech • Oak • Ash • Mahogany • Teak

4. Softwoods • Softwoods come from trees with needles rather than leaves, generally coniferous trees: evergreen • They generally grow faster, resulting in softer wood, but… • It doesn’t mean they are soft – yewis a softwood but well known for being hard

5. Softwoods • Scots pine • Parana Pine • Western Red Cedar • Pitch Pine • Yew

6. Manufactured boards • Manufactured boards have been developed to make large sheets of consistent quality. • Where it’s important to keep costs down, manufactured boards are useful • Where looks aren’t an issue, manufactured boards can be a good idea • Manufactured boards can easily be veneered or painted to make them look nice, keeping all the other advantages

7. Manufactured boards • Medium density fibreboard MDF • Hardboard • Chipboard • Plywood • Blockboard

8. Strength, looks, price, useful for… workability, sustainability When choosing a wood to use, you must consider many things • How the wood performs in functionality and looks is important. You wouldn’t want to make a decorative box lid from chipboard • If you can’t afford mahogany, you will have to consider other good looking woods that aren’t as rare • Wood can come from sustainable sources. Others are rare or endangered. Some manufactured boards are made from waste wood

9. Pick 3 of each and discuss their advantages and disadvantages Strength, looks, price, useful for… workability, sustainability