Sunday 1 April 2012

Affordable Hard Wood Windows Or Soft Wood Windows Which Will Last Longer And Why They Differ

By Peter Colwell


Locating the most desirable window frame design for a building is a task that has become a lot more complicated today due to the huge range of options that are available. If you want to pick a design that would enhance your property's overall character a good option would be to choose wooden frames. Wooden frames look great on buildings of any age. Before you contact a glazer or carpenter with your specifications it is important to take a few minutes to discover the answer to the question - hard wood windows or soft wood windows which will last longer and why is this the case?

You may realise that there are a variety of softwoods and hardwoods that are now used to manufacture window frames. For example, softwood designs can be made from pine, yew, spruce, hemlock, and cedar whereas the hardwood options can be designed from maple, beech, oak, mahogany, or cherry. You should consider what option has the best durability and longevity as opposed to focusing too heavily on the cost.

As a general rule, softwood is a lot more vulnerable to wear and tear than hardwood window frames, this is down to its structure. Hardwood has internal vessels that would have been used in the process of transporting water whereas softwood does not, it only has tracheids. This fact is visible to the naked eye in the form of pores in hardwood which are not present in softwood.

Of course the treatment that is given to the wood will also have a major bearing on how long the product lasts. It would be no use choosing hardwood if it is not coated with the right sealant to protect against the extremes of the climate.

Another factor that points to the hardwood designs as being more durable is the way that they can withstand knocks and scratches. Softwood can quickly become dented and damaged if knocked. Preserving a strong wood design requires a lot less effort than the softer varieties.

It is worth mentioning that a hard wood window is tougher to work with due to its strength. For this reason you will see that most hard wood frames have relatively basic and simple designs. Of course it is possible for a carpenter to create a complex style though this would require more time and skill.

Whether you go for hardwood or softwood you can have peace of mind that your new frames will give off an elegant appearance. By opting for wooden frames you can even raise the market value of your property.




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