Woods

Question 1

What are the primary sources of materials for producing papers and boards?

Answer 1

Natural timbers and manufactured boards

Question 2

What are the properties of Ash?

Answer 2

Tough, flexible, wide grained, shock resistant, finishes well

Question 3

What are common uses for Ash?

Answer 3

Sports equipment, hand tools, ladders

Question 4

What are the properties of Larch?

Answer 4

Tough, durable, good water resistance, finishes well

Question 5

What are common uses for Larch?

Answer 5

Fencing, cladding, decking, furniture

Question 6

What are the properties of Beech?

Answer 6

Strong, dense, close grain, prone to warping and splitting

Question 7

What are common uses for Beech?

Answer 7

Furniture, children’s toys, bench tops

Question 8

What are the properties of Pine?

Answer 8

Lightweight, easy to work with, can be knotty

Question 9

What are common uses for Pine?

Answer 9

Interior joinery, furniture, window frames

Question 10

What are the properties of Mahogany?

Answer 10

Strong, durable, easy to work with, finishes well

Question 11

What are common uses for Mahogany?

Answer 11

High end furniture

Question 12

What are the properties of Spruce?

Answer 12

Easy to work with, lightweight

Question 13

What are common uses for Spruce?

Answer 13

Furniture, musical instruments, construction

Question 14

What type of trees are hardwoods obtained from?

Answer 14

Deciduous trees

Question 15

What are the characteristics of hardwoods?

Answer 15

• Grow in warmer, more humid climates * Grow slowly (80+ years) * More difficult to sustain than softwoods * More expensive than softwoods * Strong and hardwearing

Question 16

What type of trees are softwoods obtained from?

Answer 16

Coniferous trees

Question 17

What are the characteristics of softwoods?

Answer 17

• Grow quickly, making them sustainable * Usually grow in colder climates * Grow thin, needle-like leaves * Grow relatively quickly (30 years) * Easier to sustain than hardwoods * Easy to cut and shape * Usually cheaper than hardwoods

Question 18

What are manufactured boards made from?

Answer 18

Waste sections of felled trees

Question 19

What are the benefits of manufactured boards?

Answer 19

• Come in sheet form (usually 1.2 x 2.4m) * Extremely stable and of uniform thickness * Less expensive than laminating planks of timber * Can be covered with veneers * Available in various thicknesses (3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 22mm)

Question 20

What are the properties of Oak?

Answer 20

Strong and lightweight

Question 21

What are common uses for Oak?

Answer 21

Flooring, furniture, timber framed buildings

Question 22

What are the properties of Balsa?

Answer 22

Strong, durable, very lightweight, can snap if too thin

Question 23

What are common uses for Balsa?

Answer 23

Model making, floats, rafts

Question 24

What are some surface finishes for natural timbers?

Answer 24

• Paint * Stain * Wax * Varnish

Question 25

What is the purpose of applying finishes to timbers?

Answer 25

* Seals the wood from heat and water * Enhances the grain and surface * Colors the surface * Provides aesthetic appeal

Question 26

What is Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)?

Answer 26

Compressed board that is rigid, stable, easy to work with, and absorbent

Question 27

What are common uses for MDF?

Answer 27

Flat pack furniture, kitchens, toys

Question 28

What is plywood?

Answer 28

A laminated board stable due to its alternate layering at 90°

Question 29

What are common uses for plywood?

Answer 29

Furniture, shelving, skateboards, exterior fencing

Question 30

What are the properties of chipboard?

Answer 30

Compressed board not as strong as MDF or plywood, prone to chipping

Question 31

What are common uses for chipboard?

Answer 31

Flooring, low end furniture, kitchen units, cupboards

Question 32

What is veneer?

Answer 32

Very thin layers of wood that can be glued onto manufactured board

Question 33

What is lamination?

Answer 33

Bonding by gluing strips of materials together in layers

Question 34

True or False: Wood is considered a sustainable material.

Answer 34

True

Question 35

What organization is dedicated to ensuring timber supplies are regulated and sustainably harvested?

Answer 35

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Question 36

What is a key issue related to timber use in many parts of the world?

Answer 36

Timber is being used faster than trees are being replanted, causing deforestation

Question 37

What is the impact of deforestation?

Answer 37

Seen as a key factor in global warming