Softwoods, such as larch, spruce, pine, stone pine, and Douglas fir are softer and lighter than their hardwood relatives. Their hue and the patterning of their even grain allow for some beautiful design possibilities.
One common use of softwoods in flooring is when homeowners are looking to add a warm undertone to their home. Larch, in particular, is the warmest of all, and natural oiled larch wood floors radiate a lightness and warm glow. Larch floors are therefore particularly perfect in bedrooms and studies, where the wear is not heavy and the warmth adds to a “cozy” feeling.
Larch Trivia
Larch are coniferous trees that are native to much of the cooler temperate northern hemisphere, extending to the lowlands in the far north, and the high on mountains further south. Larch has 10-15 species in the family Pinaceae, and grows from 20-45m tall. It is a wood that has been used in herbal medicine such as in Bach Flower Remedies. In central Europe, larch is also viewed as one of the best wood materials for the building of residences.