I often use my blog as an opportunity to talk about the types of wood used for woodworking, and today I wanted to take a moment to focus on softwoods and when it’s appropriate to use them. Just because woods such as cedar, fir, and pine are categorized as softwoods doesn’t mean that they are necessarily “softer” than traditional hardwoods. Instead, softwoods come from the trunks of coniferous trees, which tend to grow faster and straighter than hardwoods and are therefore often less expensive.

Source: nuttakit via Freedigitalphotos.net

Cedar is ideal for woodworking because it not only is beautiful, but is a durable material as well. This is a great material to use for creating your outdoor entertaining space, from rocking chairs to a unique dining table. People also turn to cedar for bedroom furniture, and cedar trunks have become very popular due to their ability to ward off moths and insects.

For a more affordable solution for making wood furniture, fir is often used. If you are interested in learning how I can use softwoods to create a unique piece for you, please contact me, Richard Oedel, Fine Furniture Master.