| Criteria | Hardwood | Softwood |
| Origin | Comes from deciduous trees that lose their leaves annually | Comes from coniferous trees that have needles or scales |
| Growth rate | Slow-growing, taking decades to mature | Fast-growing, maturing in just a few years |
| Density | Dense and heavy | Lighter in density |
| Strength | Harder and stronger | Softer and weaker |
| Grain pattern | Usually has a complex and pronounced grain pattern | Often has a straight grain pattern |
| Durability | Resistant to wear, damage, and rot | Less durable and more prone to damage and rot |
| Availability | Generally less abundant than softwood | More widely available |
| Uses | Commonly used in furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and decorative items | Used for construction, paper production, and as fuel |
| Color | Varied colors, including red, brown, and black | Lighter shades, such as yellow and white |
| Texture | Often has a smooth and fine texture | Coarse and rough texture |
| Price | Generally more expensive | Cheaper than hardwood |
| Fire resistance | More resistant to fire | Less resistant to fire |
| Sustainability | Can take decades to mature, and therefore may not be as sustainable as softwood | Generally more sustainable due to their fast growth rate |
| Moisture resistance | More resistant to moisture | Less resistant to moisture |
| Resistance to pests | More resistant to pests and insects | More prone to pest and insect infestation |
| Workability | Harder to work with due to their density | Easier to work with due to their softer texture |
| Availability | Grows in many different parts of the world | Most commonly grown in North America and Europe |
| Grain pattern | Unique grain patterns, often with figure or curl | Straight, uniform grain pattern |
| Examples | Oak, mahogany, cherry, walnut | Pine, cedar, spruce, fir |
| Staining | Hardwoods are difficult to stain evenly | Softwoods are easier to stain |
| Machining | Hardwoods are more difficult to machine than softwoods | Softwoods are easier to machine |
| Texture | Hardwoods have a finer texture than softwoods | Softwoods have a coarser texture than hardwoods |
| Weight | Hardwoods are heavier than softwoods | Softwoods are lighter than hardwoods |
| Seasoning | Hardwoods take longer to season than softwoods | Softwoods season faster than hardwoods |
| Density | Hardwoods are more dense than softwoods | Softwoods are less dense than hardwoods |
| Sustainability | Hardwoods take longer to grow and are less sustainable | Softwoods grow faster and are more sustainable |
| Maintenance | Hardwoods require more maintenance than softwoods | Softwoods require less maintenance than hardwoods |
| Weather resistance | Hardwoods are more weather-resistant than softwoods | Softwoods are less weather-resistant than hardwoods |
| Cutting resistance | Hardwoods are more resistant to cutting and sawing than softwoods | Softwoods are less resistant to cutting and sawing than hardwoods |
| Resilience | Hardwoods are more resilient than softwoods | Softwoods are less resilient than hardwoods |
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