Most structural lumber is classified as which type of wood?

Most structural lumber is classified as softwood because it comes from coniferous trees, which are generally more abundant and faster growing than hardwood trees. Softwoods, such as pine, fir, and spruce, are commonly used in construction due to their favorable properties, including lightweight, strength, and ease of workability. These characteristics make softwood an ideal choice for lumber that needs to support weight or be used in a variety of building applications, such as framing, decking, and other structural elements.

Hardwoods, on the other hand, typically come from deciduous trees and are known for their density and durability, making them more suitable for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry rather than for structural applications. Exotic woods are rare and often used for specialty items due to their unique aesthetics and limited availability, while engineered wood involves products like plywood and laminated veneer lumber, which are fabricated from different wood fibers and adhesives and are not classified as natural lumber. Therefore, softwood is the best description for the type of wood most commonly used in structural lumber.