It's a good idea to understand the different types of hardness when buying hardwoods. Not all hardwoods are the same and they all have their own specific uses in woodworking. When buying a new board, always check its hardness with a carpenter's Brad or other tool to ensure it will be strong enough for your projects. hardness also has a lot to do with cost. The harder it is, the more expensive it will be.
There are three common wood hardness ratings for softwoods. A zero point, as it's called, is the hardness at which moisture will not penetrate the wood, making it perfect for almost any use. Woods rated in between a one and a two mean that there is slightly less hardness than hardwood. Some of the harder woods, like maple and oak, are rated in between one and two on the scale. This type of lumberyard will usually have different varieties and/or ways to calculate the hardness of a lumberyard product, so it's best to ask the customer when buying hardwoods how they are measured.
For the beginner woodworker, it's best to stick with boards that are rated at one or two on the hardness scale. Beginners, especially, should also stay away from quarter-sawn, cross-grain or synthetic lumber. While these materials may be cheaper to purchase, the quality won't be as good and they won't hold up as well.
When buying hardwood lumber, don't assume the retailer is using the same grading rules you're used to. Instead, ask the store manager what the difference is between boards that are classified as shavings and boards that are classified as rough lumber. Rough lumber is defined as having large areas of void material and will tend to swell when cut. If you're buying hardwoods from a larger tree like a maple, the grains in the wood will have a more uniform depth and won't have any large voids in them. See more here details about hardwood lumber.
If you're looking for a great way to save money, buying hardwoods from smaller, less expensive trees is a great way to cut costs. However, the quality of the wood you get from these trees will not be nearly as good as if you bought your wood from a larger, better quality tree. When shopping for hardwoods at home, be sure to only buy top notch, durable woods from well-known sources. This way you can rest assured that your floorboards will last for years, and will be a beautiful, natural fit that you and your family will enjoy for years. It's good to click on this site to learn more about the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardwood.
