What is Timber? Types, Uses, Advantages, Disadvantages

What is Timber? Differences between wood and timber

Timber and wood are both used in construction for different purposes. In some cases, they can be interchanged according to their requirements.

Wood is hard and fibrous material obtained from trees, whereas timber is a special type of wood which are cut, dried, and finalized according to its various uses.

There are different types of timber found in nature. Some of the types are given below.

1. Oak
2. Pine
3. Cedar
4. Maple
5. Redwood
6. Mahogany
7. Walnut
8. Hickory
9. Cherry
10. Ash

Types of Timber, Uses, Advantages, Disadvantages

1) Oak

Oak is a hardwood type of timber. It is strong and durable too. It has got an attractive grain pattern and can be found in two colors, red and white. It is rated as Janka hardness 1290-1360. One of the important things about it is its density of 0.63-0.97 g/cm³.

Advantages

• It is strong, durable as well as resistant to insects and fungi, and consists of an attractive grain pattern.
• Oak is good for furniture uses and flooring and can be painted easily.

Disadvantages

• It is more expensive in comparison to some other woods, and it is heavy so hard to work with it.
• Using it as flooring can be prone to splitting and have the possibility to damage its quality if comes in contact with water.
• It is also not as sustainable as some other woods.

Uses

• Oak is used for furniture uses such as making tables, chairs, and cabinets.
• It can also be used for flooring and construction such as beams, posts, and framing.

2) Pine

Pine is a type of softwood that is light in color having straight grain. It is not too expensive, so it is easily affordable. It is rated as Janka hardness380-870 and its density is 0.35-0.5g/cm³.

Advantages

• It is less expensive or cheaper in comparison to some other woods.
• It is light and easy to work with and resistant to swelling and shrinking.
• It can be easily painted or stained and is good for framing and construction.

Disadvantages

• It is not as strong or durable as some other woods.
• It is probable to warping and twisting.
• It is more prone to insect infestation and can be susceptible to damage if it comes in contact with water.

Uses

• Pine is used for making frames and roof decking, bookcases and shelving and also interior trim and molding.

3) Cedar

Cedar is a softwood type that is natural resistant to rot, insect and decay. It has got reddish brown color. Its hardness is rated as Janka hardness 350-900 and its density is 0.32-0.45g/cm³.

Advantages

• It is resistant to insects and rots.
• It is lightweight and it’s easy to work with it.
• It has a pleasant aroma. It is good for outdoor furniture and decking and has a unique and attractive grain pattern.

Disadvantages

• In comparison to some other woods its disadvantage is its price and its quality, which is not strong compared to some others.
• It can be prone to splitting.
• It can be susceptible to water damage and not suitable as some other woods.

Uses

• Cedar is used for making furniture like chairs, tables, benches, decking, and sliding and shingles.

4) Maple

Maple is a hardwood which is light in color, fine and consists of uniform grain. Several species of Maple can be seen. It’s rated as Janka hardness 1450-1480 and having density of 0.54-0.82 g/cm³.

Advantages

• Maple is strong and durable.
• It is also resistant to wear and tear.
• Maple has a consistent grain pattern.
• It can be stained or painted easily, and it is also good for flooring and furniture.

Disadvantages

• Maple’s drawback is its cost which is expensive in comparison to some other woods.
• It is heavier so it’s hard to work with it.
• It doesn’t provide any resistance to insects and rot as some other wood provides.
• It can be prone to warping and splitting and is also not as sustainable as other woods.

Uses

• Maple is used for flooring, furniture such as dressers, cabinets, kitchen islands, cutting boards, and some other kitchen accessories.

5) Redwood

It is a type of softwood that has more strength in comparison to others. It is more durable than others and alsoprovides resistance to decay. There are two main species of Redwood. It is rated as Janka hardness 450-480 and its density is 0.35-0.49 g/cm³.

Advantages

• It provides resistance to insects and rot.
• It is light weighted, so it feels easy to work with it.
• It has a unique and attractive color, and it is good for outdoor furniture and decking because it has good thermal insulation properties.

Disadvantages

• It is more expensive and less strong in comparison to some other woods.
• It is prone to splitting, susceptible to water damage and not as sustainable as some other woods.

Uses

• It is used for decking, sliding, and trim.
• It is also used for making outdoor furniture such as chairs, benches, and picnic tables.

6) Mahogany

It is a type of hardwood which is durable and found to be reddish-brown in color. Mahogany has got attractive grain pattern and several species are found on earth. It is rated as Janka hardness 800-900 and its density is 0.55-0.85 g/cm³.

Advantages

• It is found to be stronger and durable, which also provides resistance to wear and tear.
• It can be stained or painted easily, and good for furniture and cabinetry.

Disadvantages

• It is more expensive compared to some other woods.
• It is heavy and so it is hard to work with it.
• It is also not as sustainable as some other woods and can be prone to splitting and water damage.

Uses

• It is used for making furniture such as desks, cabinets and bookcases.
• It is also used in making musical instruments such as guitars and pianos.
• It is used for making boats too.

7) Walnut

It is a hardwood type that is dark in color. It has straight grain and it provide high shock resistant. There are two main species of Walnut. It is rated as Janka hardness 1010-1220 and its density is 0.54-0.69 g/cm³.

Advantages

• It is strong and durable; it has an attractive grain pattern.
• It providesresistance to wear and tear. It can be stained or painted easily.
• Walnut is good for furniture use and making cabinetry.

Disadvantages

• It is more expensive in comparison to some other woods, it is heavy, so it is difficult to work with it.
• It is not as sustainable as some other woods.
• It can be prone to splitting and can be susceptible to water damage.

Uses

• It is used for making furniture such as tables, chairs and cabinets.
• It is also used for flooring and interior paneling and trim.

8) Hickory

It is a hardwood with light color and high strength. Several species of hickory are found on earth. It is rated as Janka hardness 1820-2000 and its density is 0.61-0.81 g/cm³.

Advantages

• It is strong and durable and provides resistance to wear and tear.
• It has an attractive grain pattern. It can be stained or panted easily.
• It is also good for furniture and flooring works.

Disadvantages

• It is expensive if compared to some other woods.
• It is too heavy, so it is quite harder to work with it.
• It is not as sustainable as some other woods and can be prone to splitting.
• It can be susceptible to water damage.

Uses

• It is used for flooring works and furniture such as tables, chairs, and cabinets.
• It is also used as tool handles and sports equipment.

9) Cherry

It is a hardwood that is fine and has got straight grain. It is reddish-brown in color and two main species of cherry are found easily. Its Janka hardness is 950-995 and its density is 0.53-0.65 g/cm³.

Advantages

• It is strong and durable;
• It has an attractive and distinctive color.
• It can be sustained or painted easily.
• It is also good for cabinetry and furniture uses.

Disadvantages

• It is expensive in price compared to some other woods.
• It is not as strong as some other woods.
• It is prone to warping and splitting and also not as sustainable as some other woods.

Uses

• It is used in interior paneling and trim.
• Some furniture-making works like beds, dressers and dining tables.
• It is also used for making cabinets and millwork

10) Ash

Ash is a type of hardwood that has high strength, more durability and an attractive grain pattern. Several species of ash are found on Earth. It is rated as Janka hardness 1320-1360 and its density is variable.

Advantages

• It is strong, durable, and also resistant to wear and tear.
• It has an attractive grain pattern, and it can be stained or painted easily.
• It is good for flooring and furniture uses.

Disadvantages

• It is not as attractive as some other woods.
• It can be prone to splitting and water damage.
• It is not as sustainable as some other woods.
• Ash borer beetle infestation can be a problem.

Uses

• It is used for flooring, tool handles, and sports equipment.
• Some furniture such as chairs, tables, and cabinets are made with Ash.

Overall, the choice of timber will depend on the intended use and personal preference.

While some woods may be more expensive or difficult to work with, they may offer unique advantages such as durability, resistance to insects and rot, or an attractive grain pattern.

It’s important to consider the environmental impact of the wood as well and choose sustainably sourced options whenever possible.

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