Timbers Flashcards
1
Q
What are the uses of pine?
A
It is often used for construction work, roofing beams, and timber frame construction and interior joinery
2
Q
What are the advantages of pine?
A
- It has a very straight grain
- It is much lighter than other woods making it much easier to handle and work with, particularly in large quantities. This also means it can be easily cut, shaped and stained
- Pine trees are fast growing which makes them a renewable source making them much more sustainable.
- It is inexpensive making it much more affordable
3
Q
What are the disadvantages of pine?
A
- It can be very knotty
- It can contain resinous knots as pine is so soft it is more susceptible to scratches dents and wear over time compared to harder woods
- Pine has a high resin content which can leak out during hot weather. This can be messy and affects the finishes applied to the wood
- It doesn’t have the same structural integrity as hardwoods. Therefore, it may not be suitable for applications like heavy duty furniture or construction
4
Q
What are the uses of redwood?
A
It can be used for outdoor furniture, decking, fencing, siding and cladding, garden structures, flooring and boat building
5
Q
What are the advantages of redwood?
A
- It is naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects making it ideal for outdoor applications
- It is aesthetically pleasing with a rich reddish-brown colour and beautiful grain patterns
- Itis relatively lightweight making it easier to work with and handle
- Due to its natural resistance to the elements, it requires minimal maintenance even when it is used outdoors
- It has good insulating properties making it good for uses in places like homes
6
Q
What are the disadvantages of redwood?
A
- It is relatively expensive compared to other softwoods due to its high demand and limited supply
- It is a softwood making it more prone to scratches and dents compared to harder woods.
- It can crack or split if exposed to extreme weather conditions or moisture changes.
- Although redwood ages beautifully its colour can fade if it is exposed to sunlight. This means it may require regular sealing or treatment
7
Q
What are the uses of cedar?
A
It is used for exterior building cladding, sheds, greenhouses be hives and interior paneling
8
Q
What are the advantages of cedar?
A
- It has a natural resistance to moisture, rot and insects making it an excellent choice for outdoor use, like decking siding and garden furniture.
- It has a nice natural aroma which can act as a natural repellent against moths and insects. This makes it really good for wardrobes.
- It is lightweight compared with other woods making it easy to handle transport and work with.
- It is sustainable like pine
- It has excellent insulating projects making it brilliant for energy efficient buildings
9
Q
What are the disadvantages of cedar?
A
- It can corrode ferous metals due to its acidic nature making it unsuitable for certain applications
- It is much more expensive than other softwoods like pine.
- It has limited availability in certain areas
- Although it is durable, cedar is not nearly as strong as some hardwoods.
- It is very soft making it prone to scratches, dents and other surface damage compared woth harder woods
10
Q
What are the uses of larch?
A
It is often used for garden furniture, building cladding decking and fencing
11
Q
What are the advantages of larch?
A
- It has an attractive grain pattern which fades to silver upon exposure to the outside.
- It is hard and tough which makes it suitable for heavy duty applications such as beams and structural components.
- If it is treated properly in can withstand being outdoors for many years with little maintenance. It also has a natural resistance to rot and decay.
- It holds nails and screws well and can be treated with various finishes and coatings.
- Larch trees grow fairly quickly and it is considered a sustainable option compared with other hardwoods
12
Q
What are the disadvantages of larch?
A
- It can have a lot of knots which can make it much more challenging to work with as they are very hard.
- It can be prone to scratches and dents because it is not as hard as other hardwoods like oak.
- It is more expensive than most softwoods but it is cheaper than most hardwoods
- It can come in varying different qualities meaning it can be hard to know what to expect
- If it hasn’t been properly dried it can shrink or warp as it dries
13
Q
What are the uses of oak?
A
It can be used for furniture, flooring, boat building, cladding, interior and exterior joinery
14
Q
What are the advantages of oak?
A
- It stains and polishes well and it has a distinctive and highly attractive grain pattern which is very aesthetically pleasing
- It is a heavy dense wood which can withstand heavy use and wear and tear.
- It can cope well with exposure to the elements if the right finishes have been applied. The elements can even enhance its appearance.
- Oak is incredibly strong and durable
- Oak trees are plentiful and can be sustainable source when harvested responsibly.
- It is relatively easy to work with
- It is naturally resistant to insects and fungi which contributes to its longevity
15
Q
What are the disadvantages of oak?
A
- Oak can be more expensive than softer woods because of its long growth cycle and high demand.
- Poor water resistance and if water penetrates the surface it results in an unsightly black stain making it unsuitable for outdoor use.
- Not good for transportable furniture as it is easily dented amd it is very heavy.
- As it is porous this can make it more prone to scratches and dents.
- It can warp or crack from changes in temperature
- It can fade over time due to sunlight
- It can cause some metals to rust because it contains tannins
16
Q
What are the advantages of Mahogany?
A
- It is resistant to termites, rotting and dimensional changes.
- It has a very aesthetically pleasing grain which is a reddish-brown colour
- It is easier to carve than other hardwood because of its straight grain and resilience.
- It is slow to fade even when exposed to sunlight
- It is very water resistant.
- It doesn’t really shrink or warp like other woods
- It can take paints and polishes really well
17
Q
What are the disadvantages of Mahogany?
A
- It can be very expensive
- It can require regular maintenance such as sanding, staining and resealing,
as it is so hard it can be very challenging to work with - It can darken with age meaning the desired aesthetic may be changed.
- Limited production has meant that it can be very tricky to get hold of Mahogany
- As it is very dense this can make it extremely heavy
- There can be a large colour difference meaning finding the same colour wood to complete a project can be difficult
18
Q
What are the uses of mahogany?
A
It can be used for indoor furniture, shop fittings and cabinets and veneers commonly used on manufactured boards
19
Q
What are the uses of Teak?
A
It can be used for outdoor furniture, boat building, flooring, interior furniture, decking, cladding and crafting.
20
Q
What are the advantages of teak?
A
- It is rich in natural oil content meaning it does not seep in as much excess moisture from the air. This leads to its strong resistance against rot, decay, damage or infestation from pests and termites
- It can be painted polished, waxed and varnished
- It has very high durability and strength
- It is very aesthetically appealing with its rich golden brown colour.
- It is resistant to cracking warping and splitting even when it is exposed to the sun.
- It is a renewable source when harvested responsibly
21
Q
What are the disadvantages of teak?
A
- It can be very expensive especially compared with soft woods and many other hardwoods
- Company’s will use fake teak wood to lower the cost and then lie to customers
- It requires regular maintenance to preserve it original appearance
- Irresponsible wood harvesting has had a negative environmental and social impact.
- It is very dense which can make it more challenging to work with for more intricate designs.
- It is a very heavy wood which can make it cumbersome to transport
22
Q
What are the uses of birch?
A
It is used for furniture, cabinetry, plywood and veneer, flooring, wooden toys and crafts and paper production.
23
Q
What are the advantages of birch?
A
- It is easy to work with because it has a smooth surface
- It is moisture resistant making it less likely to warp or buckle over time.
- It has a waxy texture and recognisable appearance
- It is faster growing than most hardwoods making it more environmentally sustainable
- It is inexpensive compared with other hardwoods
- It is easy to work with as it cuts, sands and stains well
- It is very aesthetically pleasing
24
Q
What are the disadvantages of birch?
A
- It is more susceptible to dents and scratches compared with other hardwoods.
- It can absorb moisture more readily than other hardwoods which can lead to warping and swelling and sometimes even cracking
- It can darken and loose its colouring when exposed to sunlight
- Not as naturally durable or weather resistant as other hardwoods
25
What are the uses of beech?
It is used for chairs, chopping boards, tools (mallets), steam bent laminated furniture and turned bowls.
26
What are the advantages of beech?
- It is a strong and durable wood which is resistant to wear and tear
- It is easy to work with because it can be cut, shape and sanded and it also finishes well.
- It has a very attractive appearance with a smooth coloured appearance and a consistent grain
- It is very flexible and is often used for products which require.
- It is very sustainable as it is a renewable source which grows abundantly.
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What are the disadvantages of beech?
- It is not as hard as some other hardwoods making it more prone to scratching and denting.
- It can easily swell or warp if it is exposed to high humidity
- It can darken or discolour over time when exposed to sunlight
- Beech is unsuitable for outdoor use
- It is relatively heavy compared with some other woods
28
What are the uses of jelutong?
It is used for pattern and mould making, and wood carvings
29
What are the advantages of jelutong?
- It is a very light wood making it easy to handle and transport. This makes it good for carving and intricate work
- The wood is easy to cut, shape and sand. It is commonly used for detailed and precise tasks
- It has a smooth texture making it ideal for applications where a polished, smooth finish is required
- It is a very affordable wood
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What are the disadvantages of jelutong?
- It is not as durable or as strong as other hardwoods, making it susceptible to dents , scratches and damage over time.
- It is exposed to swelling and warping if it is exposed to moisture
- It is not suitable for outdoor use unless it is treated
- The wood tends to lose its colour over time especially when exposed to sunlight
- It can be prone to splitting
31
What are the uses of balsa?
It is used for model making, surfboard cores, model aircraft and model structures
32
What are the advantages of balsa?
- It is one of the lightest woods available
- Due to its softness and low density, it is incredibly easy to cut, shape, sand and carve.
- It is inexpensive compared with many other hardwoods
- Balsa wood is naturally buoyant, which is why it is commonly used in boat building.
- It has good thermal and acoustic insulating properties, which makes it useful in some insulating and soundproofing applications
33
What are the disadvantages of balsa?
- It is very soft and not particularly strong meaning it can be easily damaged. - Due to its softness it can also be easily dented or scratched.
- It is unsuitable for outdoor applications unless it is treated or sealed
- It lacks strength compared with other hardwoods which makes it less suitable for structural or load-bearing uses.
- It can warp or swell if it absorbs moisture
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