Timbers Section Flashcards
What is a hardwood
A wood taken from deciduous trees such as oak
Properties of deciduous trees
They lose their leaves in winter
Made of hardwood
Grow very slowly (some take over 100 years)
Properties of Birch
Sandy coloured wood with a smooth easy grain
It has a low resistence to rot and insect attack
Common uses:
Veneers → surafces cheaper materials that are used for indoor use (furniture
Properties of ash
Strong tough flexible hardwood that finishes well
Low resistance to rot and insect attacks
Common uses
Handles for tools / sports equipment / ladders
Properties of jelutong
Hardwood
Even close grain → easy to cut
Soft and not very strong
Common uses
Making models moulds or vacuum forming
What are softwoods
Wood that comes from coniferous trees
What are coniferous trees like
They are made of softwood
They have needle like leaves that are not lost in winter
Seeds in a cone
Grow quickly - around 30 years
Properties of larch
Softwood
Tough and durable → resistant to water.
Can be left untreated outside → fades to a silvery grey
It costs more than most softwoods
Common uses:
Small boats + exterior cladding on buildings
What is manufactured timber
A board of wood that has different properties to regular softwoods and hardwoods
Often large thin sheets
What is chipboard → properties / pros /cons
Wood chips mixed together with glue and pressed into flat sheets.
Uses waste materials so it is cheap
Not much natural strength especially in damp conditions
The surface is very rough so usually its plastic coated
Common uses
Kitchen tops
Chep flat pack furniture
Where are softwoods and hardwoods found
Hardwoods are mostly found in temperate climates like europe
Softwoods are found in colder regions
What are surface finishes /treatments
A material that fills the pours in wood making it water resistant and changing its appearance
Description of surface finish / advantages / disadvantages
Painting
Coloured pigment in a liquid that dries out
A
Available in a range of colours
D
Covers the woods natural grain
Description of surface finish / advantages / disadvantages
Staining
A coloured liquid that soaks into the wood surface
A
Makes a pale coloured wood like pine darker to mimic more expensive woods like oak or mahogany
D
Doesnt look fully like another wood as the grain still shows
Description of surface finish / advantages / disadvantages
Varnishing
A clear coating that dries to a shine
A
Can be high gloss or a matte finish
Hard Wearing finish that shows the woods grain
D
Can scratch / chip and expose the wood
