What Is Timber?
Mainly, timber or Lumber is a separated part of growing trees. Any type of timber that is capable of getting a minimum dimensional size can be termed timber or lumber. It is a stage in the process of Timber production.
Different types of timbers are used for building construction as structural members. Those woods which are adapted for building purposes are timbers. Woods are cut and shaped in a specified dimension or standard size for the industry.
18 Types of Timber
The following are various timber wood types,
1. Bamboo Timber
Most of the timer-producing bamboo trees are available in South Asia. The Bamboo color varies from pale yellow to almost gold. It is one of the industrial materials also identified as the most promising building material.
Bamboo timber is proven as an alternative to tropical hardwoods in recent years. It is available in any size and length as per requirement.
Advantages of Bamboo Timber
- Bamboos are fast-growing and high yielding.
- They are easily renewable.
- Bamboos quickly reach full maturity after only one or two years.
- Bamboo timber has a unique earthy odor while being worked.
- Bamboo timber is energy extensive, processed and glued up imported products.
- Strong bamboo fibers have tensile strength.
- It is highly resistant to warping and cupping in ambient humidity.
- Bamboo timber requires little fertilizer.
- Grows initially at full width.
- Bamboo timbers are used in-veneer, paper, flute, window blinds, fishing rods, ladders, scaffolding, carving, etc.
Disadvantages of Bamboo Timber
- Bamboo timber is a polluting material.
- Bamboo timber requires special care.
- It is susceptible to insect attack.
- Bamboo timber has been reported to cause skin irritation.
- Decay fungi are present in bamboo timber.
- The price of this timber is much higher which exceeds the cost of domestic hardwoods sometimes.
- It is inconsistent.
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2. Birch Timbe
Birch is one of superior craft-wood. It is a major source for getting hardwood. Birch is available in many forms like yellow birch, white birch, etc. Among these, the yellow birch is widely used and is also known as gray birch or swamp birch. Birch offers a low natural luster.
Advantages of Birch Timber
- Birch Types of timber is economical in most cases.
- Inner birch is aromatic.
- Birch is long-lasting.
- It is usually heavy, hard and strong.
- It is always easy to work with birch and glues and it finishes well.
- Birch gives widely ranging appearances.
- Birch is suitable for high-quality furniture.
- Birch has great durability.
- Birch is used for creating strong plywood.
- Birch is waterproof.
- Birch can easily support a large structure.
- It is mostly used to make boxes, crates, skateboards, furniture, and other wood items.
- Birch gives wavy fine texture.
Disadvantages of Birch Timber
- Birch is perishable, readily rot and decay.
- Birch is susceptible to insect attack.
- Birch can cause tear-outs during machine operations.
- Birch is reported as “sensitizer” which includes respiratory irritation.
- Birch is slow-growing.
- Birch is harder than other hardwoods.
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3. Cedar Timber
Cedar is one of the high-quality types of wood. It is manufactured from different trees wood known as cedars. As when the strength and appearance of the exposed wood beams are essential requirements, cedar is the only savior and perfect fit for this.
It is widely used for landscape, park, and garden structures. It offers moderate strength and softness which makes it unique and most important it is an easily workable construction material.
Advantages of Cedar Timber
- It is weather resistant.
- Cedar gives a natural wood look.
- Cedar is light in weight.
- It works easily.
- It is dimensionally stable.
- Cedar has long-time durability.
- Cedar has exceptional resistance to insects and decay.
- It is smooth to the touch.
- It has a high quality of consistency.
- It exhibits fairly prominent growth.
- Cedar shows high resistance to warping and twisting.
- Cedar helps to reduce noise in specific areas.
- It is sustainable.
- It is used in-cladding, decking, roofing, fencing.
Disadvantages of Cedar Timber
- Cedar dust may be an irritant.
- Cedar has low strength.
- Cedar can cause splintering during some operations.
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4. Cherry Timber
Cherry timber is well known as a tree plantation type of wood. There are many forms of cherry timber; but, black cherry timber is a major source of native cherries and the only of commercial value.
It is mostly found in Eastern United Nations. The prime quality of cherry timber is that its grains are generally straight. It is one of the source of hardwood. Cherry timber generally offers medium density and is moderately durable.
It is mostly used for small pieces of furniture’s-veneers, handles, cabinets, scientific instruments, etc.
Advantages of Cherry Timber
- Cherry’s types of timber is firm and strong.
- It has a fine and uniform texture.
- It works well and finishes smoothly.
- Cherry timber can contain pith flecks and gum pockets.
- It has good workability.
- Cherry timber can easily machine, nail, and glue.
- It is a good timber for turning and carving.
- It has good bending properties.
- It has low stiffness.
- Cherry types of timber is shock resistant.
- The best feature is it is used for high-end applications like furniture, cabinet making. Boat making and musical instruments.
Disadvantages of Cherry Timber
- It is highly prized.
- Cherry timber is sensitive to UV.
- It can tear on cross-grain.
- Cherry timber doesn’t have a grand dimension.
- If stained, it gives blotchy results.
- The sawdust of cherry timber has been associated with respiratory effects such as wheezing.
5. Mahogany Timber
It has high quality as types of wood. It is utilized commercially in almost every continent. Mahogany is majorly used for the furniture and cabinet building industry.
It is used to form plywoods and all kinds of trim. It has hard grain. It is one of the softer wood among the hardwoods that are commonly in use.
Mahogany is a moderate natural luster. Its color get darkens with age and the texture is medium and uniform. The price of mahogany timber comes in the medium range.
Advantages of Mahogany Timber
- Mahogany types of wood is very stable.
- It is resistant to termites.
- It is very easy to work with tools in mahogany timber.
- It cuts and machines easily.
- Mahogany timber sandy very easily.
- It turns glues, stains, and finishes well.
- It can bend without splintering or shattering.
- It possesses a slightly flexible quality.
- It resists warping and twists for many years.
- It is long-lasting, strong and beautiful.
- It contains high density.
- Each piece of timber is long.
- It is majorly used for-veneers, musicals instruments, carving, etc.
Disadvantages of Mahogany Timber
- Mahogany timber is vulnerable to insects.
- It can tear out or chip during machining.
- It is reported as “sensitizer”.
- When mahogany timber gets in touch with water, a strong mahogany color comes up.
- Slight dulling of cutters can occur in this timber.
- Mahogany timber includes respiratory irritation in the eye, skin which includes boil, nausea, dizziness, asthma type symptoms, etc.
- It is vulnerable.
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6. Oak Timber
Oak timber is processed from Oak trees. One of the oldest timber used for construction from the last thousands of years. Oak types of wood has straight gain. It is mostly used for light construction work where no heavy loads to be carry by timber. It is generally used for homeware, wine barrels, firewood, etc.
Advantages of Oak Timber
- Oak timber is exceedingly strong.
- It is durable.
- It has a long living nature.
- Oak timber is used for cladding.
- Oak timber is resistant to fungal attack.
- It takes glues, nails, and screws well.
- It is lighter in weight.
- Oak timber is resistant to decay.
- It is workable with machine or hand tools.
Disadvantages of Oak Timber
- Oak timber is heavy.
- It is hard.
- It has low moisture content.
- Oak timber is unsuitable for external use.
- It is resistance to acid content is low.
- Oak timber reacts with iron, galvanized, or copper nails.
7. Walnut
It is one of the premium timber. It is the most popular and specialist timber for house construction. It has a straight grain, but it can be irregular. Walnut timber is widely used for decorative purposes.
It is available in a variety of designs for the interior. It comes with a moderate natural luster and is moderately durable. It has medium density.
Advantages of Walnut Timber
- Walnut gives a vivid highlight to the grain.
- It offers easiness while using machine and hand tools.
- Walnut timber is good for turning and carving.
- The right glues and polishes can be successfully done in walnut timber.
- It stains and finishes well.
- Walnut timber responds well to steam bending.
- It has good dimensional stability.
- It is shocking resistance.
- It has a fine texture.
- Overall walnut has good strength.
- It has low stiffness.
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Disadvantages of Walnut Timber
- Walnut is hard.
- It has been reported as a “sensitizer”.
- It includes eye and skin irritation.
- It has high prices for domestic species.
- It is susceptible to insect attack. Planer tear-out can sometimes be a problem in walnut timber.
- It has a faint, mild odor while being worked.
- It has a medium maintenance movement.
- Walnut timber has difficulty treating acid contents.
- Walnut timber finds the problem with density.
- It is not termite resistant.
- It is hard.
8. Fir Timber
Fir is one of the most popular and widely used timber species. It has major use and premium product for a wide range of applications. Fir is a softwood species and it has a very straight grain. Fir becomes one of the standard timber species for timber farming. It generally used for tin-housing, framing, flooring, lining fascias, bargeboards, and pergolas.
Advantages of Fir Timber
- Fir timber ranges in color.
- Fir machines and turns well.
- Fir is moderately durable.
- It is permeable.
- It Is moderately resistant to decay.
- Fir timber has a low shock resistance.
- It has good strength.
- Fir can be satisfactorily bonded using the standard procedure.
Disadvantages of Fir Timber
- Fir timber lacks tensile strength.
- It is extremely difficult to treat.
- Fir timber is very stiff.
Types of Timber Wood
The following are the Timber wood types,
1. Bamboo Timber
2. Birch Timber
3. Cedar Timber
4. Cherry Timber
5. Cross-laminated Timber
6. Glulam Timber
7. Green timber Timber
8. Lime Timber
9. Mahogany Timber
10. Oak Timber
Types of Timber Used In Construction
Some Most used Types of Wood Details:
1. Bamboo Timber
2. Birch Timber
3. Cedar Timber
4. Cherry Timber
5. Cross-laminated Timber
6. Glulam Timber
7. Green timber Timber
8. Lime Timber
9. Mahogany Timber
10. Oak Timber
Timber
A timber is nothing but a form of wood that is shaped into beams and planks. It is also known as “lumber” in the US and Canada.
Timber Definitions
A timber is nothing but a form of wood that is shaped into beams and planks. It is also known as “lumber” in the US and Canada. Mainly, timber or Lumber is a separated part of growing trees. Any type of timber that is capable of getting a minimum dimensional size can be termed timber or lumber. It is a stage in the process of Timber production.
