Today, almost every branch of the national economy uses wood products for various purposes. This is due to the unique properties of this material. Synthetic products are not yet able to replace it. Therefore, the woodworking industry produces a variety of types of lumber.
Their properties and classification deserve detailed consideration.
Main characteristics
Wood products are made by sawing. This is where the name comes from. The demand for this material is explained by its availability and a number of unique qualities. Existing types of lumber from wood are very diverse. They are environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing. In addition, they are durable, characterized by a long service life.
However, wood also has negative traits. If the lumber was improperly processed or used in adverse conditions, their rotting, destruction may occur.
In the selection process, you need to pay attention to the quality of their processing. If the wood was poorly dried, it will deform. Therefore, you should know what properties each type of product has.
Classification
There are many signs that divide the main types of lumber into groups. The most popular classification is according to the type of cut:
- Board.
- Timber.
- Bar.
- Sleeper.
- Croaker.
There are also edged and unedged materials. In the first case, the workpiece is processed from all sides, and in the second - from only one. There are mixed varieties of them.
According to the method of cutting distinguish between radial and tangential workpieces. This classification depends on the positioning of the cut relative to the tree rings.
Another important classification factor is humidity. Dry materials have this indicator at the level of 8-10%. Such products are solid, used for arranging, for example, flooring. Universal lumber has a moisture content of 12-15%. These are blanks for plinths, platbands, timber. External lumber has a moisture content of more than 18%. They are suitable for facade cladding, creating a rafter system.
Material
The main types and production of lumber depend on the type of wood. There are deciduous and coniferous varieties. The latter are more often used for the arrangement of supporting structures and floors. Hardwoods are designed for decoration, as they have an aesthetic appearance.
These two types of wood are different in value. Conifers are softer, subject to environmental influences. The range of their application is limited, therefore, at a price they are more profitable.
But hardwood, albeit more expensive, are more durable and durable. Among coniferous species of wood, usually only pine is used for some decorating. Among the deciduous varieties, oak, ash, beech, maple, birch and linden are most often used.
Timber
The appearance of lumber for obvious reasons depends not only on the type of wood. The processing process leaves its mark on the characteristics of each product. One of the most common is the beam. It is used in the arrangement of both cladding, and independent structures, buildings.
There are several varieties of timber. A simple type (non-core) looks like a log processed from 4 sides. But they make other types of similar products. Profiled timber is produced in a clearly established form. Most often this is a rectangle with a notch at the bottom. Solid timber houses, cottages are collected from such lumber. They hold heat well, have a low percentage of deformation (if the beam is correctly processed). The profile can be very different.
There is also a glued beam. It is assembled from lamellas and has improved characteristics. It practically does not shrink, does not crack. Today, a rounded beam is also in demand . He has high aesthetic qualities.
Board
Types of cutting lumber allow you to create many forms of products. A very popular variety is the board. The range of its application is wide.
Depending on the type of wood and the accuracy of its processing, these products are used both for roughing and interior decoration. Boards are in demand in the manufacture of furniture, partitions, small buildings in the country, etc. They are divided into 5 varieties:
- Selected - used in luxury interiors, as well as in shipbuilding.
- The first and second grade is suitable for creating furniture facades.
- The third class is applicable in construction.
- The fourth grade is suitable for creating packaging, boxes.
Sizes, level of processing, characteristics of the material must be taken into account in the selection process.
Types of boards
There are many approaches to classifying boards. Each variety has its pros and cons. The parquet board is in demand today. The lower layer is made of rough wood, and the surface is made of elite species. For their intended purpose, a terrace, window sill and engineering board are isolated .
The first type is a lightweight but durable product. It is made most often from tropical wood species. The board for window sills has a special impregnation and is characterized by good drying. Engineering varieties have a bottom layer of plywood, and the top of them is made of natural wood.
Lining
One of the most popular types of boards today is lining. These types of lumber are used for cladding indoors and outdoors. Even in technical documents, this type of product is called a cladding board.
The profile of the lining may be different. The material from which it is produced is also characterized by a wide range. When choosing it, the operating conditions are taken into account. For dry rooms, conifers and soft hardwoods are suitable.
If this is a bathhouse, then the use of resinous types of wood is not allowed. Otherwise, burns may occur. Hardwood is used for outdoor cladding . They are treated with various substances to extend the life of the product.
Sleepers, small moldings
In addition to the products examined, such types of lumber as sleepers, as well as small moldings are in demand today. These are narrowly targeted products, but their importance can hardly be overestimated.
Sleepers made of wood have several advantages when compared with reinforced concrete varieties. They well dampen the vibration of the train, reliably hold the rails.
The need for regular maintenance of existing communications, as well as the installation of new lines require a large number of high-quality sleepers. They are made of expensive wood, because sleepers are subjected to heavy loads and adverse environmental influences. They are impregnated with special substances to avoid rotting processes, rapid destruction. Depending on the type of compounds moving along the line of communication, sleepers of different strength classes are used.
Also, narrowly oriented varieties of lumber are small molded products. These include skirting boards, corners, platbands, glazing beads. They are produced in various sizes. This allows you to choose the best option for everyone.
Croaker
In the process of manufacturing a bar or boards, a slab is obtained. This is the side of the log. On the one hand, these lumber is convex, and on the other, flat.
This material is also in demand today. For the arrangement of temporary buildings, technical premises, the rake is quite applicable.
Also today it has become quite popular to carry out decorative finishes with this kind of lumber. The slab is mechanically processed only on the sloping side, therefore, before installation, it is mandatory to impregnate it with a special antiseptic. Otherwise, in a couple of years, the croaker will turn into dust. The relatively low cost makes it popular. New areas are emerging in which this material is applied.
Dimensions
Types of lumber and their application determine the size. Each type of processing has its own clearly defined form boundaries. Dimensions sometimes even determine the name of the product. The board is edged products, the width of which is more than double thickness.
If this ratio is not satisfied, the product is called a bar. Its width is less than double thickness. And the bars in general have minimally installed dimensions. Their thickness and width should exceed 100 mm.
The usual length of the beam is 6 m. The width and thickness parameters are standardly 100 per 100 mm, 100 per 150 mm or 150 per 150 mm. If the project requires the use of material with even larger dimensions, the product is custom-made. But the cost will be significantly higher than the standard. Therefore, when developing a project, an engineer must take these dimensions into account.
The board is also produced in accordance with the standards. Its thickness is 25, 40, 50 mm. The length is usually 4, 5 or 6 m, and the width is 100 or 150 mm. A bar is usually made with standard dimensions of 40 by 40 or 50 by 50 mm. The length of the workpiece can be 3, 4, 5 or 6 m.
To equip the flooring today produce a certain kind of boards. They have a width of 85 to 140 mm. Depending on the level of load, its thickness is from 27 to 45 mm. Standard dimensions must be taken into account in the design process.
Having considered the main types of lumber, their properties, scope, everyone can choose the best type of product for their conditions. The variety of shapes, sizes and materials allows them to be used in almost any field of human activity.