Hardwood vs Softwood: What's the Best Firewood?

When it comes to choosing the best firewood, hardwood is generally the best choice for long, consistent and efficient burns. Put simply, hardwoods are denser than softwoods, which means they burn hotter and longer, making them ideal for wood burners and indoor heating. Softwoods, on the other hand, catch alight more quickly and produce a fast, bright flame, which makes them a good option for kindling or quick evening fires.

If you’re not sure which type of firewood to buy, here’s some expert advice from the Certainly Wood team. In the meantime, browse our full range of kiln-dried firewood.

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What Is Hardwood?

Hardwoods come from slow-growing, broadleaf trees like oak, ash and beech. Because these trees grow slowly, their wood is denser and heavier. Here are the benefits of using hardwood for firewood:

• Burns for longer: Hardwood logs produce a sustained, steady heat, perfect for long, cosy weekends in front of the fire.
• Less refuelling:The consistent burn means you’ll need to refuel less frequently.
• Efficient and economical: Although often more expensive per bag, hardwood burns longer, so you’ll use less firewood over time.

All of our hardwood logs are kiln-dried to a moisture content of below 20%, in line with the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme, ensuring a clean and efficient burn every time.

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What Is Softwood?

Softwoods come from fast-growing coniferous trees such as pine, fir and spruce. Because it grows quickly, this wood is less dense than hardwood, and burns at a much faster rate. Here are some of the things to consider when using softwood for firewood:

• Burns quickly: Softwood ignites easily but burns through faster, meaning you’ll need to refuel more often.
• Lower efficiency: Although it offers the same calorific value by weight, its lower density means you may need nearly twice as many logs to match the heat output of hardwood.
• Can cause more build-up: Softwood can produce more resin, which may increase chimney deposits if not properly managed.
• More smoke if not dried correctly: Like all wood, if it isn’t fully dried, softwood can produce excess smoke when burned.

Softwood can still be useful, especially as kindling or for quick heat when you get home late and need to light the fire fast. But for long, clean, and efficient burns in woodburning stoves, hardwood is generally the better choice.

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When To Use Hardwood Logs Vs Softwood Logs?

Scenario	Hardwood Logs	Softwood Logs
Winter Heating (Logs)	Yes	No
Kindling	No	Yes
Outdoor Cooking	Yes	No
Pizza Ovens	Yes	No
As Campfire Wood	Yes	No

The main differences between hardwood and softwood lie in their densities, burn times, and efficiency. While both can be used as firewood, hardwood generally offers a longer, cleaner burn, making it the preferred choice for woodburning stoves and indoor fires. Softwood, on the other hand, is better suited to kindling, or short, quick fires. Your choice may depend on how you use your fire, the type of appliance you have, and your budget. Read our guide to choosing the right firewood for more expert advice.