Solid wood offers strength, durability, and beauty that cannot be achieved from manufactured wood such as MDF or particle board. Additionally, different species of wood have different aesthetic and structural properties. Hardwoods such as oak , cherry, and walnut are much denser and often have unique natural coloring that can change and become more beautiful as the wood ages. Softwoods such as pine and spruce are much more affordable and have a wider range of achievable coloring through stains and paints. In general, hardwoods are more costly than softwoods but add the benefit of natural patinas and a greater durability than softwood species.