Choosing the right timber for the right landscape use is unbelievably confusing.
Timber vs hardwood.
The wrong timber choice can lead to a failed landscape in less than 10 years by todd layt.
Timber was one of the first building materials used by man.
About 80 of all timber comes from softwood.
In many aspects it is comparable to teak.
Softwoods have a wide range of applications and are found in building components e g windows doors furniture medium density fiberboard mdf paper christmas trees and much more.
Rubberwood is derived from the rubber tree.
Softwood comes from conifer which usually remains evergreen.
Rubberwood is a whitish lumber that gradually fades to a light brown.
Softwood and hardwood are distinguished in nature in terms of their reproduction rather than their end appearance and attributes.
The rubber tree gets its name from the commercially harvested milky latex it exudes when cut.
In general hardwood comes from deciduous tree s which lose their leaves annually.
Rubberwood is a low cost light tropical hardwood timber.
Timber in the landscape.
Examples of hardwood trees include alder balsa beech hickory mahogany maple oak teak and walnut.
Did you know only sapwood can be treated correctly to withstand outdoor use but still much of the timber that is treated is.
We explore the differences between the two woods and alternatives allowing you to understand the differences and choose the right timber.