Hardwood & Softwood Flooring

Did you know that not all wood floors are the same? Of course, you probably knew that some are made from oak, and some from mahogany. Still, there are two categories of wood used in wood flooring. And it’s essential to know the difference between the two to make the best choice for your floors.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring comes from deciduous trees, meaning trees that go through a cycle of leaf-dropping in the fall and growth in the spring. These trees are common for flooring woods and include Oak, Walnut, Teak, and Mahogany. Hardwoods most commonly come in dark brown and red—and more uncommonly in white. Hardwood floors are resilient, take longer to degrade, and can endure more stress before exhibiting wear. However, they also are more expensive than softwood due to the decades it takes to grow them.

Softwood

Softwood is wood sourced from pine trees that do not have seasonal cycles. Softwoods have warm yellow and red colours with loose grain. The term “Softwood” is misleading because it makes people believe the wood is malleable and sponge-like. While they may be technically softer than Hardwoods like Oak, they are still long-lasting and will bear weight. They are much cheaper than hardwoods and comprise 80% of furniture and flooring around the world. In addition, their softness leads to flexibility which is a plus for places like Edinburgh with cold winters. Common Softwoods are Spruce, Fir, Cedar, and Pine.

Whether you choose a Hardwood or a Softwood floor from Past & Present, we guarantee a professional refurbishment, installation, or repair to your existing floors to match the rest of your home. So make the right choice and call Past & Present today.