If you’re choosing between hardwood and softwood furniture, don’t rely on the names. “Hardwood” and “softwood” are botany terms—not guarantees of toughness. Hardwoods come from flowering trees (angiosperms). Softwoods come from conifers (gymnosperms). Some hardwoods are softer than some softwoods. What you care about is density, Janka hardness (dent resistance), movement with humidity, durability, price, and look.[1][2][3][4]
How they differ (in plain English)
- Botany, not “hardness.” Hardwoods = angiosperms (broadleaf). Softwoods = gymnosperms (conifers). The labels don’t tell you how dent-resistant a piece is.[1][2][15]
- Dent resistance. Measured by the Janka test (force to embed a 0.444″ steel ball). Many furniture hardwoods fall around ~1,000–1,500 lbf; common softwoods are often lower, though there’s overlap.[3][4]
- Movement. All solid wood expands/contracts mostly across grain as humidity changes—more tangentially than radially. Expect ~6–10% tangential and ~3–5% radial shrinkage ranges from green to oven-dry (species vary). Design must allow for this.[5][6]
- Natural durability. Only certain species’ heartwood has strong decay resistance; sapwood of almost all species is not durable. Cedars/redwood heartwood are classic softwood examples with useful natural resistance above ground.[7][10]
- Forestry & availability. Softwoods are often plantation-grown, fast to manage and harvest at scale; hardwoods typically grow slower. This affects price and availability by region.[8][1]
When hardwood makes sense
- High wear & dents: Dining tables, chair seats/legs, coffee tables. Look at white oak, hard maple, ash, beech, walnut, cherry, etc. Balance hardness vs. workability and style.[3][19]
- Water-tolerant interiors: White oak has tyloses that occlude pores, making it relatively moisture resistant compared to red oak—useful for table tops or vanity bases (with sane finishing).[11]
- Refinishing & lifespan: Dense hardwoods accept re-sanding/re-finishing well (finish type matters).[3]
When softwood makes sense
- Budget & weight: Pine, spruce, and fir keep costs and weight down—handy for large pieces you move often (bookcases, utility storage). Expect more dents; choose forgiving finishes.[15][3]
- Outdoors (above ground): Cedar and redwood heartwood have natural extractives that resist decay and insects; still use design details (drain, dry) and maintenance to extend life.[10][1][12]
- Warm, knotty look: If you like a bright, Scandinavian cottage vibe, softwoods fit the brief—just accept patina and impressions as part of the charm.
A knotty pine bookcase
Hardwood vs. softwood: side-by-side
| Factor | Hardwood (angiosperms) | Softwood (gymnosperms) | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Tables, chairs, benches, cabinets, flooring | Bookcases, frames, utility pieces; cedar/redwood for exterior above ground | Match the species to abuse level and location.[10] |
| Dent resistance | Often higher Janka (but varies by species) | Often lower Janka (but overlaps with some hardwoods) | Check Janka values for the exact species—not just the category.[3][4] |
| Moisture movement | Tangential > radial; design for wood movement | Same physics—species-dependent | Look for allow-for-movement joinery, especially on wide panels and doors.[5][6] |
| Natural decay resistance | Species-specific heartwood (e.g., white oak, black locust) | Species-specific heartwood (e.g., cedars, redwood) | Sapwood of almost all species is not durable; ask what part was used.[7][10] |
| Forestry & price | Often slower growth → higher cost | Often plantation-grown → wider supply, lower cost | Budget-driven? Softwood wins; heirloom? Consider the right hardwood.[8][1] |
| Look & texture | Closed pores to open pores; ray fleck in quartersawn oak; rich color range | Knotty, lighter color, straight grain in many pines/firs; aromatic cedars | Pick for your room’s style and light; finish choice changes the vibe. |
Quick picks
- Dining table you’ll baby: Walnut or cherry with a modern low-sheen film finish.
- Family-proof dining table: White oak with durable film finish; accept patina over time.[11]
- Budget bookcase: Pine or fir with matte, repairable finish; beef up shelf thickness or add stiffeners.
- Porch bench (covered): Western red cedar heartwood, slatted design, water can drain/dry.[10][13]
FAQs
1) Is hardwood always harder than softwood?
No. “Hardwood/softwood” are botanical groups. Actual dent resistance is measured by the Janka test, and species overlap.[1][3][4]
2) What Janka number should I look for in a dining table?
As a rule of thumb, ~1,000 lbf and up gives decent dent resistance for everyday use, but finish, base design, and how you use the table matter just as much.[3][4]
3) Why do table tops crack or warp?
Wood moves with humidity—more tangentially than radially. Wide solid panels need joinery that lets them expand/contract seasonally.[5][6]
4) Is cedar good for outdoor furniture?
Heartwood of species like western red cedar has natural decay-resistant extractives. Design still must shed water; sapwood is not durable.[10][7]
5) Which oak is better near occasional moisture—white or red?
White oak. Its vessels often contain tyloses that reduce liquid penetration compared with red oak, all else equal.[11]
6) Are veneers “cheap”?
Good veneers over stable cores (e.g., furniture-grade plywood) resist warping better than wide solid panels. Judge thickness, core quality, and edge protection.
7) What finish hides dents best on softwood?
Low-sheen, repairable finishes (hard-wax oil, oil-modified) hide impressions better than glossy films. You can spot-repair more easily.
8) How do I prevent a solid-wood top from cupping?
Proper grain selection, balanced construction, and fastening that allows seasonal movement (buttons/figure-8s/elongated slots) help. Keep airflow top and bottom.[6]
9) Are softwoods more sustainable?
Many softwoods are plantation-managed and faster-growing, which supports large-scale supply. Certification (FSC/PEFC) matters more than category alone.[8]
10) Does sapwood last as long as heartwood outdoors?
No. Untreated sapwood of nearly all species has low decay resistance; durable performance typically comes from specific species’ heartwood.[7][10]
11) Do harder woods always dent less in real life?
Higher Janka generally dents less, but finish choice, edge design, and the force/area of impact also matter (e.g., chair leg vs. dropped cast-iron pan).[3][19]
12) What should I ask a salesperson?
“Which species? Heartwood or sapwood? Solid or veneer and what core? How is movement accommodated? Which finish, and how do I maintain/repair it?”
References
- [1] Britannica. “What’s the difference between angiosperms and gymnosperms?” https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-angiosperms-and-gymnosperms Accessed Oct 24, 2025.
- [2] Penn State Extension. “Hardwood or Hard Wood?” https://extension.psu.edu/hardwood-or-hard-wood/
- [3] USDA Forest Products Laboratory. Wood Handbook — Mechanical Properties (Janka definition). https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr190/chapter_05.pdf
- [4] The Wood Database. “Janka Hardness.” https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/janka-hardness/
- [5] The Wood Database. “Dimensional Shrinkage.” https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/dimensional-shrinkage/
- [6] Purdue Extension. “The Shrinking and Swelling of Wood and Its Effect on Furniture.” https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fnr/fnr-163.pdf
- [7] USDA FPL. “Biodeterioration of Wood” (Heartwood vs sapwood decay resistance). https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr282/chapter_14_fpl_gtr282.pdf
- [8] Forestry Commission (UK). “Understanding the differences between hardwood and softwood.” https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/2025/07/31/dont-get-stumped-by-timber-terms-understanding-the-differences-between-hardwood-and-softwood/
- [9] Oklahoma State Univ. Extension. “Dimensional Changes in Wood.” https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/dimensional-changes-in-wood.html
- [10] Oregon State Univ. (OWIC). “Natural Durability of Wood: A Worldwide Checklist of Species.” https://owic.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/pubs/durability.pdf
- [11] The Wood Database. “Distinguishing Red Oak from White Oak.” https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/distinguishing-red-oak-from-white-oak/
- [15] Britannica. “Softwood | timber.” https://www.britannica.com/topic/softwood
- [19] USDA Forest Products Laboratory. Wood as an Engineering Material (General). https://research.fs.usda.gov/treesearch/download/37440.pdf
