Hardwood is considered the ultimate versatile material, with applications ranging from exquisite veneers and furniture, musical instruments, flooring, construction and boatbuilding. It is a material of real beauty, available in countless combinations of species, specifications and colours. Because of their condensed and more complex structure, hardwoods generally offer a superior level of strength and durability. The most common types of hardwoods include Oak, Teak, Sapele, Iroko and Meranti. As these grow at a much slower rate and require longer drying times, these factors drive up the cost of the wood. Hardwoods tend to be much more resilient than softwoods and are often reserved for projects that require maximum durability. Hardwoods such as beech, maple and walnut are usually reserved for bespoke joinery projects, crafting furniture, wooden flooring and fine veneers. These types are hardwood are most suitable for these tasks as they desire particular aesthetic characteristics, such as color and woodgrain.