Wood- framed windows have been used on buildings for centuries. The main types of wood used for this purpose are either softwood or hardwood. Hardwood comes from trees whose leaves fall off in season. They are not necessarily hard and some are even softer than some softwood types. Softwood on the other hand, never lose their leaves. They are not always soft as the name suggests, as some are known to be much harder than some hardwood types. For the most part, however, hardwood is stronger than softwood. The reasons why Hardwood windows last longer than softwood windows are as follows;
Hard wood contain natural oils that prevent decay. Since water and oil do not mix, water does not easily penetrate hardwood. Most softwood types on the other hand do not have such oils hence they can easily decay when exposed to moisture.
The oil in hardwood protects them from insect attacks. Those that may be attacked by such insects can be protected by easily applying a coat of oil. Unlike hardwood, softwood requires several layers of paint because of their poor ability to hold it.
Since softwood generally has less density, they do not hold joinery material well. This means that connection points loosen easily. Since these have to be re-tightened over again, the wood easily chips off. Being dense and packed with oil, hardwood dos not chip easily.
Softwood expands and contracts easily because of the effects of the weather and therefore cracks easily. The compact nature of most hardwood types makes them resistant to weather changes.
Softwoods last only a few years if they are not sealed with wood stain. When sealed, they can go for anything from fifteen up to twenty years. Painting softwood can make them decay faster because the paint locks in moisture. Teak is a hardwood type used on window frames. It can go for anything up to forty years if it is not coated with oil. When coated with oil, it can remain in good condition for well over a hundred years. It also does not need to be shielded when temperatures are at their lowest, especially during the winter period.
The cost of softwood can be even five times less than that of hardwood. It is, however, worthwhile to invest in hardwood as they last longer than softwood. They are well able to withstand different weather patterns as opposed to soft wood which is affected by weather changes.
Hard wood contain natural oils that prevent decay. Since water and oil do not mix, water does not easily penetrate hardwood. Most softwood types on the other hand do not have such oils hence they can easily decay when exposed to moisture.
The oil in hardwood protects them from insect attacks. Those that may be attacked by such insects can be protected by easily applying a coat of oil. Unlike hardwood, softwood requires several layers of paint because of their poor ability to hold it.
Since softwood generally has less density, they do not hold joinery material well. This means that connection points loosen easily. Since these have to be re-tightened over again, the wood easily chips off. Being dense and packed with oil, hardwood dos not chip easily.
Softwood expands and contracts easily because of the effects of the weather and therefore cracks easily. The compact nature of most hardwood types makes them resistant to weather changes.
Softwoods last only a few years if they are not sealed with wood stain. When sealed, they can go for anything from fifteen up to twenty years. Painting softwood can make them decay faster because the paint locks in moisture. Teak is a hardwood type used on window frames. It can go for anything up to forty years if it is not coated with oil. When coated with oil, it can remain in good condition for well over a hundred years. It also does not need to be shielded when temperatures are at their lowest, especially during the winter period.
The cost of softwood can be even five times less than that of hardwood. It is, however, worthwhile to invest in hardwood as they last longer than softwood. They are well able to withstand different weather patterns as opposed to soft wood which is affected by weather changes.
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