Hardwood
has a higher density than most types of
wood. It is contrasted with softwood which
is not as hard. Though Hardwood typically
comes from broad leaved trees, with enclosed
seeds, there is no clear cut distinction,
as some 'Softwoods' like Yew, are actually
quite hard.
Hardwood is more expensive than softwood,
not least because the forests from which
they come, are scarce. In order to deal
with this, there is the concept of Hardwood
veneer. What it means is, that if your
floors are made of Hardwood Veneer, the
whole thing is not hardwood.
The bottom of the flooring will be some
other substance, like say concrete. The
hardwood is sliced, and placed one on
top of another to the desired thickness.
The slices are placed in such a way,
so as to minimize the effect of weather.
It is called 'Dimensionally Stable'. The
veneer is available as unfinished, or
pre finished, where the staining and coating
of the wood has already been done.
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