Hardwood timber is one of the most common materials used in various home projects. You can use it to build sheds, garden furniture, fencing, and more. But unlike other popular materials like concrete, laminated wood, and PVC, hardwood timbers like walnut, teak, mahogany, beech, maple, and oak may offer more benefits.
For one, hardwood exudes a natural appeal and can lend a distinctive touch to the overall decor of any space. This makes it a great choice for home projects, especially if you’re very particular about aesthetics. But if you’re still not convinced, here are more advantages of using hardwood timber for your home projects:
1. Durability And Longevity
Durability is one of hardwood timber’s best properties, making it perfect for home projects. It’s a natural material that’s hardwearing and long-lasting. Compared to other woods, hardwood — like oak, beech, maple, and mahogany — is a more durable option as they have more resins that make them resistant to insects and mold.
Moreover, since it doesn’t wear down easily, hardwood is ideal for permanent fixtures like floors, staircases, garage doors, and windows. It can also be used to create durable furniture items such as desks and cabinets.
2. Natural Insulation
Insulation is a useful property that aids energy efficiency in homes. Wood is a natural insulator. When used in outdoor projects, it can help reduce the need to install additional insulating materials.
If you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, the best way to keep your home warm during the winter and cool in the summer is through insulation. This will help maintain the ideal indoor temperatures no matter what season it is. The best part about using hardwood timber as an insulator is that it lasts longer than other types of insulating materials like foam and fiberglass. As such, you will not have to worry about replacing it every few years.
3. Low Maintenance Cost
Hardwood is also known for its low-maintenance properties, which makes it a great choice for both new and old homes. Timber does not require much upkeep and can last several years without special care. Other than regular cleaning, hardwood timber requires little to no maintenance. Still, if you want to prolong the lifespan of your hardwood flooring, there are special techniques you can apply, such as staining or sealing. These will help protect the final product from being damaged by water and chemicals.
4. Timeless Aesthetics
Hardwood timber has a timeless appeal that can easily blend with most home décor themes. You can choose from various types of hardwood, such as oak, maple, and mahogany, which are commonly available in different designs and colors. The wood’s natural grain will also show through the finishing, giving them a unique look and feel that no other material can achieve.
5. Ease Of Workability
Another benefit of using hardwood timber is its workability. Hardwood timber is easier to work with than softwood, such as pine and fir. This makes it ideal for home projects that require extensive work like cabinets and furniture.
And since hardwood timbers are longer-lasting than other woods, it makes them great for high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms. It has a good cutting edge and can be machined with ease. Moreover, the grain direction of hardwood timber makes it ideal for attaching it to other wood materials since it doesn’t split along the grain lines as softwoods do.
6. Fire Resistance
Compared to softwood, hardwood is much more resistant to fire because of its higher density. But its fire resisting properties can be further improved either through factory treatment to make it fire retardant or by coating it with a fire protection paint or varnish.
7. Reusability And Sustainability
As with most wood materials, hardwood can be reused and repurposed for other home projects. For example, damaged hardwood floors can be reconstructed into small furniture items or wall décor pieces and then refinished to look new again. And when it can no longer be recycled, it can be burned for cooking and heating in a furnace or fireplace.
Reusing hardwood for other home projects will not only help you save costs on materials. You’re also helping contribute to the welfare of the environment, especially since wood has a much smaller energy footprint than most materials used in home projects.
Take Away
Hardwood is known to be durable, inexpensive, beautiful, and easy to work with. So, there’s no surprise that it’s a popular material for home projects. And not only is it readily available, but it’s also quite versatile, so you can use it in most areas of your home. But although it only requires little to no maintenance, staining and sealing are always recommended to ensure that your wood projects last even longer.