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When it comes to commercial softwoods, Spruce and Pine are the most popular names. As two of the most commonly used—and often confused—softwood species, both pine and spruce have good demand and dedicated applications.
Both woods share many similarities in terms of appearance and physical properties. There are also many differences between pine and spruce wood, which we will discuss in detail here.
At AtoZ Wood Company, we sell both these softwood species and are quite familiar with their distinctive properties, and we’re here to help you understand the difference between spruce and pine in terms of their unique appearance, characteristics and uses, so you can choose the right timber for your next project.
About Pine Wood
Pine is one of the most popular and widely used softwoods. It is used worldwide and finds extensive applications due to its beautiful appearance, versatility, affordability, and moderate durability.
Pine is a lightweight, moderately hard timber with good natural durability in terms of resistance to decay and some insects. It is also easy to work with, making it a favorite for artists, DIY enthusiasts, carpenters, and furniture makers.
The heartwood of pine is usually light yellowish-brown and features a rustic look, making it suitable for classic-looking furniture and interior decor. Pine also takes glue, stains and finishes rather well and looks premium when colored. Despite its moderate durability, it must be pressure-treated for outdoor use to ensure long life.
Common applications of pinewood include flooring, furniture, plywood, cabinetry, shelving, construction framing, and basic outdoor uses.
About Spruce Wood
Spruce has many species, similar to pine. It’s a softwood found and used worldwide and known for its striking color, fine grain, and high strength-to-weight ratio, offering great stability and flexibility. It’s a popular choice in projects that require light yet firm timber, such as construction, tools, musical instruments, and millwork.
Spruce is also commonly used for roof trusses, furniture, wall studs, beams, and flooring, thanks to its structural stability and easy workability. The excellent acoustic properties of Spruce make it a favorite for music instruments such as soundboards in guitars, violins, and pianos.
Spruce is strong and somewhat durable, though it must be treated to increase durability when used outside.
Spruce Vs Pine: Know the Difference
Both Spruce and Pine are extremely popular, affordable and easily accessible woods. They share many similarities, but there are also several distinctions. Let’s find out more.
Appearance & Color
The color of Spruce ranges from light, creamy whitish to yellow. It has a fine, straight grain. Its clean look and straight grain make it perfect for basic interior applications, millwork, musical instruments, and paneling.
Pine typically has a pale yellow to brown or reddish heartwood. The grain is fine and straight, but the knots and growth rings are more pronounced, offering a rustic and natural appeal and making it perfect for furniture, flooring, cabinetry and other interior work.
Strength & Durability
Spruce and Pine are almost equally hard. In terms of Janka Rating, Norway Spruce (380 lbf), Red Spruce (490 lbf), Lodgepole Pine (480 lbf), Sugar Pine (380 lbf), and Limber Pine (430 lbf) are practically similar.
Spruce has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for structural applications like framing and roofing. It is not very durable and must be treated when used outdoors.
Pine is soft and more flexible, and durable than spruce. It is easier to cut, shape, and stain, making it ideal for projects that demand a good mix of appearance and strength.
Workability & Cost
Both spruce and pine are softwoods with low hardness and straight grain, which makes them both easy to work with hand or power tools.
Pine is generally more easily available in different forms and is comparatively affordable. Spruce can be moderately expensive, depending on availability and applications like musical instruments and specialty items.
Spruce Vs Pine: Uses
Pine is preferred in projects that demand a rustic appearance with versatility. Common applications of pinewood include flooring, furniture, plywood, cabinetry, shelving, construction framing, and basic outdoor uses.
Spruce is commonly used in projects that require light yet strong timber, such as construction, tools, musical instruments, and millwork. It is also commonly used for structure applications such as roof trusses, furniture, wall studs, beams, and flooring
The Verdict: Spruce Vs Pine
Choosing between Spruce and Pine comes down to factors such as your project’s purpose, budget, and availability. At AtoZ Wood Company, we supply both types of softwoods in high-quality, commercial-grade form. All our wood is sustainably sourced and expertly delivered worldwide on time.
Not sure which softwood is the best between pine and spruce for your next project? Contact our team, and we’ll help you figure out the best choice for your specific requirements!
