Home Renovation Contractors: Different Wood Types and Traits
Black walnut hardwood adds a beautiful touch to floors and cabinetry installed by home renovation contractors.
From framing to cabinetry to floors, doors, window frames, and accent pieces, wood is an essential material used in all aspects of the home building trade. Used for centuries, wood is a natural resource with multiple properties. Kelowna home builders and home renovation contractors need to be well versed in all manner of lumber, timber, and other wood products to provide homeowners with quality craftsmanship. Here we look at some of the types and traits of wood used in the home building trade:
The Most Common Wood Types Used in Home Remodelling and Construction
All wood used in construction starts as lumber that has been machine-planed through a mill to create everything from timber beams to veneer. While light structural timber is often the choice for residential single home construction, engineered wood such as plywood, fibreboard, particleboard, and laminated veneer and timber are also popular wood products used in the building and renovation trades.
The Difference Between Hardwoods and Softwoods
Hardwoods and softwoods all have their place when it comes to building homes and house additions. Hardwood trees tend to be part of the deciduous broad-leaf line, such as maple, walnut, oak, and mahogany, while softwoods come from coniferous evergreen trees such as pine, cedar, spruce, and hemlock. Most hardwoods have a higher density, slower growth rate, and provide more fire resistance than softwoods.
Properties of Different Woods and Their Applications
All woods have different grades, strengths, grains, and appearances. Hardwoods have several applications used for their visual appeal because of their deeper grain and rich colour variety. Some examples of hardwoods used in home renovations include:
- Flooring
- Cabinetry
- Detailing
Contrary to their name, softwoods produce durable wood used in the structural construction of:
- Roofs and cladding
- Panelling and joinery
- Inner-wall framing
- Decking
- Doors and window frames
Cost of Different Woods
The calibre of wood you choose can have a significant impact on house renovation costs. For example, cherry, a popular hardwood used for making kitchen cabinets in Kelowna, can cost from around $3-10 (US) per board feet, while black walnut can cost as much as $11 (US) per board feet. Softwoods are generally less expensive than hardwoods, and the reason why they make up 80 percent of all timber used in construction.
Staining Woods
Applying stain depends on the type of wood and application. There are a number of interior stains that can be used on hardwood floors, cabinetry, and furniture to enhance their look and life. Pressure-treated wood, used for exterior projects such as decks and fencing, can also be stained to prevent fading from the sun as well as damage from moisture and other elements.
See how wood is working its way into the kitchen with the Top 8 Kitchen Renovation Trends of 2020.
From house additions to interior and exterior home remodelling projects, Rafter 4K Contracting can bring your dreams to life with excellent craftsmanship that comes within budget and time. Contact us for more information or to get a free quote.
