Types of Wood used in the Construction Industry
Wood is a tough, fibrous material that makes up the trunk and branches of trees and bushes. The use of wood in construction has numerous structural and non-structural applications. Because wood is such a broad term, it is critical to understand how timber is used in construction.
Wood is a popular material for the construction of houses, shelters, and boats. Despite the fact that the chemical properties of wood are intrinsically complicated, we have effectively utilized its unique capabilities to produce a range of composite structures.
Let’s look at why wood is so popular in the construction and home decor industries.
The Advantages of Using Wood in Construction
- Wood paneling is hugely popular for ceilings because it conceals irregularities, reduces upkeep, and simplifies the installation of lighting and ventilation systems.
- Wood is an inefficient conductor of electric waves. As a result, it’s ideal for providing insulation to a living or working space.
- Wood is a natural material that is simple to work with, abundant in large amounts, and comes in a variety of species. Each sort of wood can be utilized for a different purpose.
- It is lightweight and strong, and it comes in a variety of patterns that look natural.
- Wood’s thermal characteristics are retained. As a result, it is extremely resistant to high temperatures.
- Wood has a low heat conductivity as compared to materials such as aluminum, marble, steel, or glass.
- Because of its ability to absorb sound and echo, it is a popular material for the construction of offices and residential constructions.
- Wooden houses are cheaper to construct and extend, and they have low operating and maintenance costs over time. This, however, is subject on the availability of wood in the surrounding area.
Wood Types and Their Applications
- Mahogany Wood
Honduras is another name for mahogany wood. The color of the wood is reddish-brown. It’s tough, with a consistent pore structure and poorly defined annual rings. It’s a great carving wood with a nice gloss. It accepts stain quite well, resulting in a beautiful finish on the piece of furniture. One of its several benefits is that it does not warp, bulge, or shrink. It can also be utilized underwater.
Uses:
It is usually seen in cabinets, dining table sets, and other sorts of indoor furniture. Mahogany is also used in the construction of window frames, sills, and veneers.
- Pine Wood
Pinewood is a light-weight, straight-grained, soft, white, or light-yellow wood. It is resistant to shrinking, swelling, and warping. Pine is quite simple to shape and dye. When pine comes into contact with dirt, it decays quickly.
Uses:
It’s utilized to build both indoor and outdoor furniture. It is also used to build door and window frames, flooring, and paving materials. Knotty pine is frequently utilized to create a decorative look.
- Cedar Wood
Cedarwood is a knotty softwood with faint lines and a red-brown tint. In comparison to other softwoods, cedar is soft. The wood texture is consistent and resistant to decay and insects.
Uses:
is a well-known wood variety used for lining drawers, chests, and boxes. This wood is often used to make simple cases and storage cabinets.
- Oak Wood
One of the most common types of hardwood is oakwood. Oak is classified into two fundamental types: white and red. The red type is also referred to as black oak (a reference to its bark). It has a unique grain and polish. Oak is a dense, sturdy, and light-colored timber. It is really simple to work on. It is resistant to dampness, fungi, and yeast.
Uses:
It’s a great material for home and office furniture like bookcases and cabinets. It is very popular for outdoor furniture. Its also used by interior designers for flooring, timber-framed buildings, and veneer production
- Ash Wood
Ashwood is a dense, heavy, and extremely porous wood. The flexibility and strength of ash are widely recognized. It has a distinctive texture that resembles oakwood and is white to light brown in hue. It is simple to assemble with screws, nails, and glue. It has a nice look to it. Because ash is less popular than other hardwoods, it is less expensive.
Uses:
Ash is commonly utilized in structural frames and steam-bent furniture. Because of its unique grain, ash is used to make decorative veneers.
- Firwood
Firwood is also known as Douglas Fir. Fir has a reddish-brown color and straight grain. It has a homogeneous texture, is non-resinous, and has a low decay resistance. In comparison to other softwoods, fir is quite hard. It is difficult to stain, thus it is usually utilized in its natural state or as a painted surface.
Uses:
it’s used for doors, windows, furniture, plywood, frames, and interior trims
- Spruce Wood
Spruce wood is tough and durable. It has a good finish and a low decay resistance. It shrinks moderately and is modest in weight.
Uses:
It is commonly used for paneling, cladding, general millwork, and ladders.
- Hemlock Wood
Hemlock wood is light in weight and moderately strong. It has a low decay resistance and is non-resinous.
Uses:
It is used to make timber, planks, doors, boards, joinery, subflooring, and crates.
- Teakwood
Teakwood is one of the most often used hardwoods. It has a yellow to dark brown hue and is exceedingly heavy, strong, and durable. It is also weather-resistant, warp-resistant, and does not decay. Teak, although is often highly figured, can have a straight grain pattern. Teak’s inherent oils make it termite and vermin resistant. Teak is a hardwood that does not burn easily. When compared to other types of wood, it is relatively pricey.
Uses:
It is extensively used as a structural wood in the construction of wooden framed dwellings, doors, windows, and partitions. It’s a great material for outdoor furniture like garden benches and lounge chairs. The majority of homeowners chose teak for indoor furniture such as beds and wardrobes.
- Rosewood
Rosewood has a dark reddish-brown tint and is quite durable. It has a distinct scent. It’s difficult to work on and requires a lot of polishing.
Uses:
Rosewood is utilized in the manufacture of furniture.
- Maple Wood
Maple wood has a lovely texture and is quite strong. It is so durable and shock-resistant that it is frequently utilized in the construction of paths. Maple is a highly durable and easy-to-clean wood that is resistant to splitting.
Uses:
It is widely utilized in the manufacture of domestic furniture such as console tables, wall shelves, and bedside tables.
- Mango Wood
Mango wood is solid and sturdy hardwood with an eye-catching grain pattern. Its grain is distinctive in that it has a variety of tones and colors, ranging from light shades like dark brown to hints of bright pink or green. It is lighter than other types of wood and extremely water-resistant.
Uses:
It is most suited for usage in living and bedroom furniture, nesting tables, kitchen cabinets, entertainment units, and bookshelves.
Wood’s natural beauty and long-lasting nature may add warmth and charm to our home decor. As a result, wood is a popular building material in India.
Among the many construction materials available, wood stands out as one-of-a-kind and incredibly adaptable product.
Its visual attractiveness, strength, insulating properties, and ease of manufacture make it an excellent choice for a wide range of construction applications.
Check out our lastest blog and learn more about Ways Wood is Used in Modern Home Design
Benjamin Kilonzi