4.

2b - Timber

Characteristics of Natural Timber: Hardwood and Softwood

Natural timber includes:
Hardwood
● The wood from deciduous (broad leaved) tree
● Includes maple, oak and beech
Softwood
● The wood from coniferous (evergreen) tree
● Includes pine, cypress and cedar

Characteristics of natural timber

● Tensile Strength
○ Tensile strength of natural timber is greater along the grain than across the
grain
● Resistance to damp environments is very resistant
● Longevity: Hardwoods very good. Softwoods good
● Aesthetic properties
○ Natural colours range (red,purple,cream and brown)
○ The grain can add to its aesthetics

Characteristics of man-made timbers

Manufactured timbers (also known as man-made timbers) are made from wood
products, which are then used to make man-made timbers with new or different
properties to the initial wood they are made from.

Main types of manufactured boards:

● MDF (medium density fibreboard)

● Plywood

MDF (medium density fibreboard)

● Made by a process which glues wood fibres together using heat and pressure
● Boards are strong and smooth
● Resistant to warping
● Have a layered structure, which makes fixing to the edges difficult
● Used industrially, most commonly for furniture
 ● Special fixings have been designed to enable MDF to be fixed and joined
effectively

● Usually available in a range of different thicknesses:

3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm

Plywood
● Made from layers of thin wood glued together at 90 degrees to each other
● Very strong, as it cannot split along the grain like solid timber
● Available in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses

E.g. Marine ply can withstand seawater

● Can be used in damp and wet conditions, if waterproof glue is used

E.g. Aero ply (designed to use on aeroplane wings)

● Made from three thin layers of birch
● Only one mm thick
● Can be curved effectively

Treating and Finishing Timbers

Reasons for treating or finishing wood

● Reducing attack by insects, fungus and marine borers by making the wood
poisonous.
● Protection from dry rot
○ Reduces the timber to a sponge like consistency due lack circulated air)
● Protection from wet rot (due to alternate wet and dry conditions)
● Improving chemical resistance
● Enhancing aesthetic properties
● Modifying other properties

Methods
● Chemical based
○ Removing the damaged materials and spraying with a solution to prevent
further rot or infestation
● Varnishes, stains and paint
○ Make timber more durable and enhanced the looks of the material
 ● Place plastic veneers on timbers
○ Enhance their look and protect against damp.

Recovery and Disposal of Timbers

Timbers are considered a renewable resource as we can continuously grow it. We

dispose of timbers by using them in products and throwing them away. When we
acquire wood we cut down large amounts of trees and forests this is also known as
deforestation. There are 4 main things to be considered when cutting down trees.

1. Maturity rate
If timber is used at a faster rate than the trees can regrow then the supplies will be
depleted. This can happen over a long time as hardwoods take longer to grow than
softwoods.

2. Soil Erosion
Soil erosion will happen more quickly if there are less trees as their roots hold the
ground together, this could cause issues like flooding and landslides.

3. Greenhouse Effect
Trees are responsible of getting rid of CO2 and replacing it with oxygen which we use to
breath but CO2 also affect the greenhouse effect and speeds up global warming so if
there are less trees then there is more CO2 and more global warming.

4. Extinction of Species
If we cut down all the trees in that species it will go extinct and we won't be able to
grow them again.

Recovery
● Timbers can be reused and recycled so that they can last longer but this
involves using more chemicals and materials. This is usually only happens with
expensive woods and hardwoods.
● Timbers can only be re-treated after a certain time

Disposal
● Timbers are usually disposed at landfills and are left to rot and break down.
● Timbers with chemicals usually cause more problems as they can affect the
environment if not disposed of properly.
 ● Timbers can be burned and incinerated which is not very good for the
environment as it releases a lot of carbon

Design contexts in which different timbers are used

Structural design contexts

● Buildings - hardwood, because it’s tough, hard and durable
● Flooring - would typically use hardwoods because of aesthetics and their
durability

Aesthetic design context

● Furniture - both soft and hardwood, higher quality uses hardwood whereas
cheaper lower quality (IKEA)furniture use softwood.
● Children’s toys - hardwood, because it’s more durable