Pine wood gets damaged so easily because of its poor resistance against dents and scratches. This causes wood to get patina over age. Being softwood with less hardness is the main reason for its scratches and dents so easily. Janka hardness test defines so well why Pine wood is soft with less dense.
On the pro side, pine has a lower price tag, it's easy to stain or paint, and it is strong enough to make furniture that's durable and functional. On the con side, it can get marked and dinged, it has a knotty look, and stain or paint color needs to be chosen with pine wood traits in mind for the best presentation.
To summarise the cons of pine wood:
Pine wood is a relatively soft wood, which means it is more prone to dents, scratches, and other types of damage. This can be a concern in a high-traffic area like a conservatory, where furniture and other items may be moved around frequently.
Pine is extremely sturdy, but oak is less likely to dent, stain or wear over a long period of time compared to pine. However, this doesn't mean that oak is necessarily the right decision. If you're looking for furniture that will last half a century or more, then choose oak.
Poplar is easy to work but harder than soft pine, making it a better choice for weight-bearing structures.
How long your pine timber lasts will depend on whether it's indoors or outdoors, treated or untreated, and the application you want to use it for. In above ground settings, pine is expected to last more than 40 years and has a life expectancy of more than 25 years when used in in-ground applications.
(You will notice on most new pine furniture the wide grain). Also pine will darken with age. You can see below the first 2 images of new pine with wide grain, the 3rd image of the top of a very old pine table.
In a study that examined termite preference across 10 different species of wood, pine was one of the woods termites found most palatable. Spruce is somewhat more durable than pine in wet conditions, but it is still not a smart choice in termite-prone areas.
Pine does have a stiff quality about it, but the wood doesn't offer as much strength and resistance to wear as oak wood does. Pine can dent and scratch easily. If you're planning to keep the piece indefinitely, oak is likely a better choice.
Pine wood is one of the most ubiquitous and least expensive types of wood available. Because of this, some people hold pine wood in low regard. Pine wood varieties are beautiful and diverse, featuring various colors, textures, and wood grains.
Pine furniture can suit a contemporary space
If you're a fan of pine, then you'll be happy to know that even though it occasionally may not be the most popular wood, it definitely seems to come back into style just as often.
Pine does not naturally resist decay, and it is pressure treated to make it more durable outdoors. So cedar gains a bit here with its natural character contributing to its durability. Pine is still a good choice for outdoor furniture, it just doesn't naturally resist the elements as strongly as cedar does.
Pinewood is an outstanding building material. It's a versatile product. However, it's also prone to moisture and decay, just like other wooden materials. Hence, to protect it from decay, it has to undergo wood treatment.
In short, the aging of wood, unlike that of cheese, does not make it better. Nor does it improve its strength.
As the pine wood ages, with the help of UV from the sunlight it tends to turn more of an orange colour. In a similar way, as Oak oxidises with time, it tends to darken to a very dark brown and in some cases, black.
Changes in humidity can also cause warping, so it's important to keep an eye on the weather if you're worried about your wood warping. Pine wood warps when it is not properly dried or treated. Warped pine wood can cause structural problems in a home or building.
Teakwood is one of the hardest and most durable of all natural woods. It is resistant to rotting, sunlight, rain, frost, and snow, making it suitable for outdoor construction and furniture. However, it is expensive and sometimes hard to find.
Australian Buloke – 5,060 IBF
An ironwood tree that is native to Australia, this wood comes from a species of tree occurring across most of Eastern and Southern Australia. Known as the hardest wood in the world, this particular type has a Janka hardness of 5,060 lbf.
In fact, treated pine posts are said to last for 15 to 25 years, while hardwood posts last for 20 to 30 years. All of this means that if short term costs are your limiting factor, then treated pine is your best bet. If aesthetics is top priority, then hardwood is the way to go.
Iroko, Oak, Western Red Cedar, Cherry, Maple and heat-treated woods are just a few examples of timber that boast excellent dimensional stability and high resistance to shrinking and warping in the face of moisture. To maximise their performance, these woods can be further treated with a sealant.