Hardwoods have been in use since ancient times in the field of construction and the building industry. They have become a major source of various aesthetics that we get to see in everyone’s household. There are many hardwood uses in practical life.
They come in different types and forms. Some of the most popular hardwoods are Alder, Ash, Oak, Walnut, etc. All of these woods belong to the same category, but they all exhibit some unique and reliable properties that help produce different and variant products.
Hardwoods are mainly used for making furniture. But that is not all. They have several other uses that we will discuss down below to get a better idea.
List of 7 Hardwood Uses
The uses of hardwood are as follows.
1. Furniture
The most common and important use of hardwoods is making furniture. Hardwoods are highly preferred in making several kinds of furniture, be it a bed, chair, or sofa. It is because many hardwoods, such as Oak, Ash, Alder, are very versatile.
They provide unique textures and designs that make furniture look aesthetically pleasing and viable. They are also stable and durable woods that make them suitable for large furniture.
Especially Oak wood furniture and Mahogany furniture are expensive high-end furniture.
2. Flooring and Decking
Flooring and decking with hardwoods are a highly preferred aesthetic. Most houses prefer hardwoods for flooring because hardwoods like Oak, Maple, Mahogany provide a beautiful outlook. They are also strong and highly durable woods.
Hardwoods work very well for places with high foot traffic because of their strong resistance against dents, scratches, and stiffness. Decking and hardwood also go together. They do not require much maintenance and provide longevity which makes hardwood a feasible option.
3. Musical Instrument
Amongst many, making musical instruments is one of the most common uses of hardwoods. Hardwoods like Mahogany, Swamp Ash, Walnut wood are popular woods used to make instruments, such as acoustic and electric guitars. It is because they are softer and lighter in the hardwood family with equal strongness and durability. They are versatile, and some even have a naturally pleasing texture that helps make beautiful tones.
Basswood guitars and Mahogany guitars are popular products. They provide fine-tuning and excellent wooden sounds.
4. Cabinetry
Hardwoods are the go-to woods for making cabinets. Mahogany, Maple, Ash, Oak are some of the popular woods used for kitchen cabinets. They provide subtle grain patterns and also take stains well. That provides a fine finish, making cabinets look very pleasing and neat.
They are also very durable and resistant to dents and scratches. And can be bent and turned into any cabinet shape easily with the proper use of tools with the right amount of effort.
5. Molding and trimming
Hardwoods like Walnut are commonly used for molding and trimming because of their versatile nature. They take stains very well and provides a good finish. Since they are also good at bending, they are easy to work with.
As mentioned earlier, hardwoods are very durable, stable and also shrinks and warp less. That makes them the right choice for molding and trim.
6. Boat and Shipbuilding
Hardwoods are dense woods and work well with a moisture content which is why they are widely used in boat and shipbuilding. They keep the water where it needs to be and provides high-level durability. Hardwoods are also strong and stable that provide longevity to the boats and ships.
7. Plywood and veneer
Plywoods and veneers are made up of several hardwood sheets. Some hardwoods are flexible woods which make cutting and turning very easy. That is why they are used to make plywood, an engineered wood that is also useful and commonly used.
Hardwood plywoods are strong, stable, and durable. Hardwoods do not easily warp and provide a fine finish, making plywoods very versatile.
These are just a few of the uses of hardwood. Hardwoods have become an essential part of every household.
