Softwoods Chooser Chart
|
Common Name |
Uses |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Colour |
Redwood
Scots pine,
pine, fir. |
Suitable for all types of inside work. Used for wood turning.
Can be used outside with suitable preservatives. |
Fairly cheap and readily available. Easy to work and finishes
well. Durable. |
Knotty. |
Cream to pale reddish brown. |
Parana Pine |
Staircases and furniture. |
The best quality internal softwood. attractive grain. Available
in long and wide boards. Works easily. |
Lacks toughness. Does tend to warp and can be expensive. |
Pale yellow with attractive streaks. |
Western Red Cedar |
Cladding for the outside of buildings. |
Resistant to insect attack because of natural preservative oils.
Weather and dry rot. Knot free. Very durable. Very easy to work. |
More expensive than red or whitewood. Not that strong. |
Dark reddish brown. |
Douglas Fir |
Outside construction. Ladders and masts. |
Water resistant. Knot free. durable and easy to work. |
Splits easily. |
Attractive reddish brown. |
Whitewood Spruce |
General outside work. |
Resistant to splitting. Easy to work. |
Small hard knots. Not durable. |
Plain creamy white. |