Whether building a new house or repairing the old one, you may have trouble deciding which type of wood to use. There are several options, including softwood, hardwood and engineered lumber. It would help if you also considered the preservative retention level of the wood.
Engineered wood
Using engineered wood for building houses is a great way to reduce labour costs. It is also environmentally friendly and provides a more durable structure. But, there are some drawbacks to using these types of materials. Knowing what they are can help homeowners make an informed decision.
Plywood is the most commonly used type of engineered wood. It is a product made of multiple layers of veneer, which are then glued together under high pressure. It is used for adding strength to framing and cabinet boxes.
Another type of engineered wood is oriented strand board. It is a product made by glueing strands of wood together, creating a solid board. The board is then treated with water-resistant adhesives. It is often used as the centre web of engineered wooden I-Joists.
Other engineered wood products include particleboard, blockboard, cement board, and oriented strand board. Each of these can be used in structural or non-structural applications. These products can be labelled low-VOC, zero-VOC, or certified for sustainable forestry. They can also be made from biomass, such as wood chips and sawmill scraps.
OSB is also used for structural panels. It is typically bonded with phenol formaldehyde, less toxic than urea formaldehyde. It is not as strong as plywood, though.
Particleboard is produced from wood chips or sawmill shavings. It is often used as a substitute for plywood. It is not suitable for outdoor use.
Hardwood
Choosing the correct type of hardwood for building houses is not a trivial task. However, two of the various classifications stand out from the crowd. The first is oak wood. This type of wood is renowned for its durability and resistance to moisture. This makes it a good choice for floors and other exterior construction materials.
The next is pine wood. This type of wood is abundant in the United States and can be found in various colours, from light to dark. It also has the benefit of being less expensive than its oak counterpart. It is also easy to work with and does not require pre-drilled holes.
The wood has the distinction of being one of the sturdiest. Its stiffness makes it a good option for construction projects requiring heavy loads. Its other attributes include its low VOC impact and its smooth surface. It is also a good choice for painting and other decorative projects.
The best way to know which type of wood is right for your project is to consult a contractor. Some popular hardwoods for building houses include maple, red oak, and cedar. However, it is essential to note that while all these woods are excellent choices for the project, some are more suited for particular environments than others.
Another wood whose qualities make it a suitable choice for your home is walnut. This wood is resistant to decay, and its grain pattern is impressive. This type of wood is often used for flooring, doors, and window frames.
Softwood
Depending on the building project, a person may choose to use different types of wood. Each type has its characteristics and advantages. Cedar, Hemlock, Pine, Redwood, and Douglas Fir are some of the most popular types of wood for houses.
The advantages of using wood for building a house include its durability, workability, and affordability. In addition, it can increase the value of the home. It is also a renewable resource. It is also eco-friendly and easy to care for.
There are also advantages and disadvantages of the various types of wood. For example, hardwoods are denser, stronger, and more expensive than softwoods. As a result, they are primarily used for furniture construction, joinery, and flooring. On the other hand, softwoods are commonly used for building, roof structures, and different types of interior and exterior walls.
Softwoods are softer and easier to work with. They are less costly to process than hardwoods. They are also more readily available. They are usually provided in long rectangular forms. Most are grown in the Pacific Northwest.
One of the most important benefits of a wooden house is its low running costs. Unfortunately, wood is also a bad conductor of electric waves. Therefore, choosing a wood resistant to moisture and decay is best. This helps to maintain the beauty of the interior and exterior of the house.
Spruce is a suitable softwood for house construction. It is resistant to warping, cracking, and decay. It is also lightweight. It is perfect for cladding, panelling, and sounding boards.
Framing lumber
Choosing the correct type of framing lumber is essential for your home. The size and grade of wood you choose will determine the strength and appearance of your project. In addition, standing the different types of lumber can make your next build a smooth, trouble-free experience.
The terms used to describe lumber include rough, nominal, dimensional, and engineered. These terms are not interchangeable. The “rough” refers to the dimensions before trimming, while the “nominal” refers to the actual measurements. The exact sizes are often noted in a lumber yard or store.
Dimensional lumber is typically kiln-dried for stability. It is one of the more substantial types of wood and is usually made of softwood. This type of lumber is excellent for structural applications. However, it is also a bit more expensive than sawn lumber.
Aside from strength, dimensional lumber is also fire resistant. It is easier to cut and will not swell or warp as much as standard wood. In addition, it is easier to align.
Some projects need a mix of wood. For example, you might need redwood for the siding and Douglas fir for a pocket door. For exteriors, pressure-treated lumber is a good choice.
You should consider dimensional wood products if you need more than 4.5 inches of lumber. These have more embodied energy than sawn lumber, but they are much more stable in the long run.
Preservative retention levels for pressure-treated wood
Choosing the correct type of pressure-treated wood can make a difference between a project lasting long and suffering from short-lived damage. There are several factors to consider when picking pressure-treated lumber, including the type of preservative used, how the wood is treated, and the application it will use.
Retention is the number of chemical preservatives left in the wood after the pressure treatment. This measures the wood’s resistance to insect damage, mould, and mildew. Depending on the preservative, there are a variety of different retention levels.
A standard grade of pressure-treated lumber for residential use is pine. The cellular structure of this species makes it very strong and durable. For these reasons, southeastern pine trees are commonly used for residential construction.
Douglas fir is another substantial softwood. However, this tree’s tight grain cell structure makes it less receptive to pressure treatment.
Southern yellow pine is also a common choice. This species has a unique cellular structure that allows deep penetration of the chemical preservative. However, it is not as strong as spruce or fir.
The American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) publishes standards for retention levels for several chemical preservative compositions. These retention levels are based on long-term scientific tests. These standards are reviewed every five years.
These retention levels vary by the type of preservative used and the wood species. For example, the ACQ (Ammonia Copper Azole) treatment has a different preservation retention level than CA-B.
Palmwood
Compared to hardwood, palm wood offers several advantages for a construction project. It is also a more eco-friendly option. However, you should be aware that this wood does not have the same strength as hardwood. Here are some facts about palm wood that you need to know before deciding whether it is the right choice for your project.
First, you should know that the palm family is part of the monocotyledons group. It includes a variety of species with varying growth rates and lifespans. There are about 2800 species. Its uses include building materials, oil, fuel and food.
To use it for building projects, you should choose high-density wood. Depending on the species, the thickness of the wood can range from around 25 pounds per square foot to over 62 pounds per square foot.
Depending on the species and its density, the drying rate can vary. For example, the drying rate of palm wood can rely on the temperature and sun.
Another critical factor that affects the environmental impact of wood is the mode of transportation. This is because it requires a lot of energy to transport the material. In addition, the distance from the source can have a significant effect on the environmental impact of the wood.
For example, the distance between the source and the location where the product is used will significantly affect the number of carbon emissions produced. This is because the carbon stored in the wood is released back into the atmosphere when it decays.