Types of Timber Flashcards
What is a hardwood?
A wood from a deciduous tree (sheds leaves in the winter).
Where can you find Hardwoods?
Temperate and Tropical climates.
What are the uses for hardwood?
High Quality Furniture, Flooring, Outdoor cladding (if treated)
Why are they called “Hardwoods”?
They have a higher density than other woods
What are some examples of Hardwoods?
Ash Birch Beech Oak Mahogany
What is a softwood?
A wood from a coniferous tree (evergreen).
Usually with needles rather than leaves
Where can you find softwooods?
Colder, alpine climates such as Scandinavia.
How long do softwood trees take to grow?
They can grow quicker than Hardwoods and so can be used for timber in less than 30 years. Therefore, they are much cheaper.
Why are they easier to work with?
Has good strength and elasticity
Therefore are good for intricate designs.
What are some uses for softwoods?
Furniture, doors, feature walls
What are some softwood trees?
Cedar
Larch
Pine
Spruce
what is Manufactured board?
Timber that is made by humans rather than naturally occuring.
What is particle board?
Wood chips made and compressed together with glue.
Very dense.
What is ply wood?
Layers of wood veneer stuck together with adhesive. Each layer rotated at 90 degrees.
Combine hardwood and softwood.
What is fibreboard?
Parts of softwood and Hardwood broken down and stuck together with wax resin.
Common uses of manufactured boards?
Panelling, Shelving, Internal walls.
Cheaper than Softwoods and hardwoods.
What is MDF?
Engineered wood made of compressed wood and fibre held together with glue.
Environmental Factors of woods
Deforestation - reduce CO2 absorbtion. Older trees absorb more carbon dioxide.
Availability - Softwoods readily available as fast growing, Hardwood takes long to grow so is expensive.
Material costs of timber
Manufactured boards - Vary in price depending on size and amount bought. Often calculated by Volume.
What is a veneer?
A single sheet of hardwood to give the impression of the solid hardwood but much cheaper.
These are often laminated on MDF for cheaper furniture.
Stock forms of Timber
Boards
Square sections
Moudling (like skirting)
Dowelling
