Why Use Timber?

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Timber, as defined in Collins dictionary, is wood that is used for building houses and making furniture. Ships showcase the largest timbers that are used as planks, boards or beams.

Harvesting Timber

Do you have an idea how timber is harvested and eventually processed? There are two ways to harvest timber. First, through the commercial clear cutting approach. Of the two approaches, this is the one that runs after economic gain. Here, the trees are cut down to a stump in heavily forested areas. Of course, this is not a sustainable kind of forestry.

In the silviculture approach, trees are grown specifically to be harvested. This is a sustainable approach compared to the previous one. A method used under this approach is shelterwood cutting. Here, the trees are just partially cut in a gradual manner. As the last trees are hewn down, the trees would have already grown again, so forth, and so on. This is a process that can last for as long as 20 years.

As the trees are cut down, the limbs or branches are removed and then moved from the forest to the sawmill. The routes used in doing this have to be carefully planned so that there would be minimal damage to the logs.

Processing Timber

As for the processing, this really depends on the eventual use of the timber. The debarked ones can be sent to the chipper where they will eventually become paper. The higher grade logs don’t go to the chipper but taken to the sawmill.

These can then be processed as plants, boards or beams. The main mill saw or what’s referred to as the head rig separates the logs to different sections. Sapwood and timber with fewer knots normally become boards or planks while heartwood is created to beams and heavy planks.

Once the head rig is done, every piece of wood is then edged and removed. A trimmer will be used to square off the edges. These are then sorted and stacked, eventually dried.

Uses and Benefits of Timber

Timber uses include fuel for homes, tools, homes, and furniture. It is versatile that it can also be used in log cabins, artificial limbs, decks, balconies, terraces, cladding, sculptures, carvings, flooring, fencing, paints, perfumes, varnish, scaffolding, shingles, windows, and even musical instruments.

Timber also comes with many benefits including –

Being a renewable resource for construction materials.
Being a renewable resource which allows the direct employment of hundreds (if not thousands) of people all over the world.
Being ecologically sound and safe to use and dispose.
Having natural variations that can add visual interest to any home. Wood has beautiful lines and patterns, and with the right finishing, it is sure to wow.
Wood is naturally strong and resilient. You won’t have to worry about a replacement anytime soon.

When you have chosen timber to fulfill a certain job, then you should ascertain what species you are going to select. There are a lot of things to consider prior to your investment. First, how long would the timber species, you end up choosing, last? Here are other basic questions to ask –

Is this timber non-structural or structural?
Will the timber be used indoors or outdoors? Timber that is going to be used outdoors must be a lot more durable than the types used indoors. Low durability types such as radiate pine can undergo treatment so that they can become more resistant to termites and decay.
Is the timber a fire hazard? If you’re going to use timber in a region where there’s a higher risk of fires, then be sure to look for the type that is suitable for such regions.

Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, timber, timber benefits, timber furniture, timber interiors, timber uses, wood

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 27th, 2018 at 9:00 am and is filed under Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.