Hardwood or softwood

[Alan Zoff]

I have been offered, for me to buy, some new "external window cills". They were advertised as hardwood and I wanted some weather-resistant hardwood to finish off a project. Now the seller says she BELIEVES they are hardwood but doesn't have any proof or know enough to be absolutely certain.

I am going to take a look tomorrow. Is there a straightforward way for a novice to identify hardwood from softwood?

[grumpyaudeman]

HI

Thats a hard one Balsa is a hardwood and easy to stick a pin in so density and hardness do not figure

Softwoods are pines /conifers, perhaps a good sniff will help

I can recognize most wood by colour and grain but it needs hands on to tell

[andyh4]

Generally hard woods are much closer grained than soft wood.

Assuming these are not made of Balsa, a small pointed object stuck* in will usually differentiate between soft and hard woods, but as Grumpy says this is not infallible. Otherwise as he says it is down to hands on and experience.

* do chose a bit that will not show later.

[Théière]

Alan could I suggest you google for wood, switch to images and print off the various pictures of the wood and grain structure to look at. Might give you an idea of what the wood is.

[Alan Zoff]

Thanks T. I went to look at it this morning and established that it's a fairly close-grained softwood that has been pressure treated. Recommended for window cills and other exposed external woodwork. Seller couldn't find the receipt and guarantee lost in house move but I bought it anyway as it is some nice looking timber at a very fair price.

Time now to put the plane, etc to - hopefully - good use.