Softwood is timber from coniferous trees (conifers) such as spruce, pine, Douglas fir, and larch. It is lighter, cheaper, and easier to work than hardwood. Softwood is the most commonly used timber in construction — from roof structures and battening to interior trim and furniture.
Properties
| Property | Softwood |
|---|---|
| Tree type | Conifer |
| Density | 350-550 kg/m³ |
| Outdoor durability | Moderate to poor (without treatment) |
| Workability | Very good |
| Price | Low |
| Availability | Very good (fast-growing trees) |
Common softwood species
| Species | Durability (outdoors) | Typical application |
|---|---|---|
| Spruce | Class IV-V (poor) | Structural timber, battening, interior trim |
| Pine | Class III-IV | Furniture, window frames (painted), floorboards |
| Douglas fir | Class III | Cladding, garden timber, structural timber (outdoors) |
| Larch | Class III | Cladding, garden timber (comparable to Douglas fir) |
Using softwood outdoors
Untreated softwood rots quickly outdoors (2-5 years). Solutions:
- Pressure-treated — The wood is treated under pressure with preservatives. Lasts 10-15 years.
- Thermally modified (Thermowood) — Wood is heated to 180-220°C, making it more durable. Lasts 15-25 years.
- Painted/stained — A paint layer protects against moisture and UV. Requires periodic maintenance.
- Structurally protected — Wood that stays dry and can ventilate well lasts much longer than wood that is constantly damp.
Softwood for DIY projects
Softwood is the foundation of virtually every DIY project:
- Roof structure — Rafters, purlins, trusses: almost always spruce
- Timber frame — Studs and rails of spruce or pine
- Interior trim — Tongue-and-groove boards, skirting, mouldings
- Furniture — Pine for painted furniture, spruce for workbenches
- Outdoor structures — Douglas fir or larch for untreated use, pressure-treated spruce for budget
Related terms
- Hardwood
- Spruce wood
- Douglas fir
- Larch
- Pressure-treated wood
- Thermowood
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