The dining table is perhaps the most important fixture in the dining room.
All around the world, friends and family gather around dining tables to share meals, play games or even do homework. When choosing a dining table, there are a number of different woods available, ranging from softwoods and hardwoods. Before you make a decision on this important piece of furniture, consider the differences between the two types of wood.
Hardwood
Hardwood trees feature tightly packed thick-walled , which give these species harder, denser wood. These species also feature tracheids and other vessel elements, which conduct water throughout the tree. Hardwood species are flowering trees or shrubs that reproduce via seeds. Different types of woods classified as hardwood include mahogany, oak, magnolia, cherry, hickory, dogwood, birch, maple, walnut and teak.
Softwood
The term "softwood" refers to wood that is derived from conifer trees. These trees lack the thick-walled fiber cells that are tightly packed in denser, hardwood species. Coniferous species also reproduce via cones rather than seeds. Conifer trees, which have needles rather than leaves, may also be referred to as 'evergreen' trees since they maintain a green hue year-round. Softwood species include pine, hemlock, cypress, cedar, douglas fir and spruce.
Density and Hardness
Certain softwood species may feature wood that is harder than certain hardwood species. For example, southern yellow pine is a harder wood species though it is technically a softwood. Meanwhile, basswood and poplar species are typically softer in texture though they are technically classified as hardwoods. Hardwoods are best used for furniture, such as dining tables, whereas softwoods are best used for construction purposes or for making paper.
Additional Differences
Certain species, no matter what type of wood it is, feature different coloring and grain patterns. For example, ebony wood is naturally dark--almost black in color. Meanwhile, pine wood can be off-white or creamy yellow in color, a stark contrast to the ebony. Grains for different species can be tightly woven, widespread or even mottled in appearance. Lastly, hardwood tends to be more expensive than softwood.
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