Tips To Help You Choose The Best Construction Timber
Solid wood is one of the best construction materials out there. It hardly ever goes out of style. It has both beauty and brawn. However, you need to know what kind of wood you want for your project. Not all woods are created equal, after all. They all have their strengths and weaknesses and it’s important to differentiate between them.
1. The right aesthetic
Picking the right kind of wood isn’t just about how well it can perform, beauty is an important aspect of construction. Hardwoods are material with a universal appeal. They can go well with just about anything and the end result looks wonderful. Due to the fact that it’s a natural material, it helps structures blend in with different landscapes. With so many beautiful types of wood to choose from, picking just one becomes an impossible mission.
When it comes to beauty, cherry really takes the cake. It has a natural grainy texture that is to die for. The subtle red undertones are appropriate considering its name. It stains and finishes well, as long as you add oil. Out of all the hardwoods, cherry is the one that ages best. It will only get more magnificent over time.
2. Sustainability
Wood gets a bad rap when it comes to sustainability. Trees have to be cut down, which means fewer forests are left for the ecosystem. Luckily, this is no longer true for many types of timber. Many logging companies now practice sustainable forest management. Wood takes a while to grow but that time is perfectly manageable considering how much wood you get per tree. Sources like steel and concrete use materials that won’t grow back any time soon. With newer logging techniques, forests aren’t affected and the ecosystem is preserved.
If you’re looking for the most sustainable type of wood to build your home with, it’s going to leave you with a lot of options. A lot of species are now raised in a sustainable fashion. All you have to do is avoid the particularly rare and slow-growing varieties. If sustainability is your schtick, you might want to stay away from mahogany or ash wood.
3. Malleability
Construction materials aren’t exactly one-dimensional. You can’t just pick the toughest material out there and start building willy-nilly. There are other aspects you need to take into account. If your wood isn’t versatile, it could lead to problems in the long run. Structural frames require quite a bit of flexibility. If something cracks under pressure, it’s not going to be a suitable material to build with.
Redwood is a pretty good choice. It’s easy to work with and flexible enough to use in a variety of places. It has a reddish tint to it and it’s moderately priced for wood. Every local home centre should have enough redwood to satisfy your needs.
4. Durability
If you’re looking to create something that will last a while, sustainable lumber is the way to go. Well-made wooden structures aren’t exactly fickle. When done right, they can last for centuries. Many Tudor buildings were made of wood and they still stand to this day. However, not every kind of wood is equally hard. Picking the right species is a must.
Maple is without a doubt one of the most durable kinds of timber you can get. Anything built with maple should last you quite some time. Timber wholesalers recommend using it for construction, but the softer varieties can also be used for some dashing furniture. It’s relatively inexpensive so you shouldn’t have too much issue finding it.
5. Availability
If you want to get yourself the right kind of wood, you need to take into account the location you’re building in. You have tons of species that are extremely common in some parts of the country but are relatively rare in other parts. You’re probably going to use quite a bit of the wood in your projects, which makes it difficult to transport. The material isn’t exactly lightweight, which means you should look at local sources for your wood.
Pine is an extremely common type of wood in places like the southwestern part of the USA, but you would probably have a harder time finding a supply in the south-east. The best course of action is to contact local lumber companies and see which type of wood is available. Once you have a realistic and attainable list, you can pick the right kind based on what is available.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the right kind of wood takes a keen eye. It’s in your best interest to get a species that will last centuries in your chosen conditions. Whatever type of wood you pick, it’s pretty much guaranteed that you’ll get a beautiful and sturdy structure that will catch the eyes of onlookers.
Author Bio:
Liam Smith is a young and aspiring Australian blogger with a passion for everything related to home, design and lifestyle. He has a B.Sc. in Interior design and is an avid reader.