Timber

As apart of the Structures, Materials and Spaces module. This blog will talk about the material, Timber and its uses in construction.

Timber has been used in construction for thousands of years as it is one of the most sustainable building materials.

There are two types of timber wood; hardwood and softwood. Hardwood comes from deciduous trees and softwood from evergreen. These types refer to what type of tree the timber came from, it simply does not have anything to do with the woods strength type.

Softwood timber is commonly used for structures as it is readily available, easily worked, of relatively low cost and its fast rate of growth gives a continuous supply from regenerated forest areas.

Hardwoods are typically used for exposed structures and claddings where durability and particular aesthetic characteristics, such as colour or grain pattern, are required.

One of the biggest advantages of using timber as a building material is that it is a natural resource, making it readily available and economically feasible. It is remarkably strong in relation to its weight, and it provides good insulation from the cold.

Timber is also highly machinable, and can be molded into all kinds of shapes and sizes to fit practically any construction need.

Timber is the perfect example of an environmentally sustainable product; it is biodegradable and renewable, and carries the lowest carbon footprint of any comparable building material. In addition, no high-energy fossil fuels are required to produce wood, unlike other common building materials such as brick, steel or plastic.