Oak: Some projects require more than one type of wood. The continuous load path is achieved by connecting the structural frame, wood structural panel sheathing, and fasteners together. However, shake will often show up after a timber frame has been up for a year or so. Solid Beams: Which Is Best For Your Project? Timbers that undergo kiln drying will typically have a consistent moisture content of 12-16%. Im thinking about build a house in vermont with southern yellow pine post & beam. western Canada and in B.C. S-Dry = surface dry We offer many species and sizes of sheet wood, strip wood, wooden architectural mouldings, picture framing, wood turning and carving sections, oak Tudor beams, floorboards, plywood and Perspex, plus many other sections all suitable for internal and external joinery and fittings for 1/12th, 1/24th and other scale dolls houses, shops, miniature furniture making, model boats, railways and much more. This is the strongest and hardest species of wood available. Looking to build in Northern Utah, where the summers are super-dry, and the winters are spotty and very humid. We previously wrote an article on the best type of wood to build a log home. Stains well. as well as in timber frame construction). Glulam is also used for the construction of multi-use facilities such as churches, school buildings, and libraries, and the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California, is a beautiful example of glulam beams combining ecological and aesthetic considerations. In fact, softwood species (including Douglas Fir) are known for their structural strength and flexibility for design. are made with Douglas Fir. Bald cypress joins the list for projects benefiting from a weather-resistant species. Timbers that undergo kiln drying will typically have a consistent moisture content of 12-16%. The only downside to working with this type of wood is that lead times can sometimes be long. How much will it cost? Moderately lightweight, stiff, moderately strong and hard. are made with Douglas Fir. I’d like to share my story. Boxed heart: To the best of our knowledge OSB and plywood you should be free of urea formaldehyde, definitely if you get Canply certified products (Canadian Plywood Association) http://www.canply.org/english/environment/environmental2.htm. While rot resistant, this family of species is best used inside as it weathers to uneven coloration in exterior applications. The wood is a very light tan in color and weathers to a uniform silvery gray. We don’t recommend having your Douglas fir hand hewn because when you try to create that finish with Douglas fir it tends to peel and doesn’t look its best. Perhaps as important, you’ll learn how to specify the other important wood characteristics for a timber frame–things like timber grade, moisture content, heart content, and surface texture. Rough Sawn, Western Red Cedar Stained With a Natural Finish. The kiln drying process helps make the timber more stable, less likely to crack, and keeps shrinkage to a minimum. The heartwood is reddish or pinkish brown to dull brown, and the sapwood is nearly white (but narrow, and usually less than 1″ wide). However, each board you buy has a stamp that reveals its strengths and weaknesses. Finding the best wood for framing a house is a matter of size, form and type. Below are some options that you can mix and match to choose the best timber processing methods for your home’s needs. A house isn't just wood and nails anymore. Engineered wood requires more processing than standard wood. The biggest culprit for urea formaldehyde in homes is cabinetry products, that you can bet will be filled with urea unless they specifically advertise otherwise. This product has also been machined on all of its four faces and edges to create beautiful finishes - very unlike the rough-sawn timber usually found in Europe. Plywood is commonly used on residential construction sites as a flooring substrate, exterior wall and roof sheathing, as well as certain interior finishing applications and furniture. The roof of the Richmond Olympic Oval, BC Canada, built for speed skating events at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, features one of the world's largest clearspan wooden structures. Wood's ability to absorb impacts created by traffic and its natural resistance to chemicals like those used for de-icing roadways, make it ideal for these uses especially in cold climate zones. These timbers come without the center (or heart) of the tree trunk. Fine texture, generally straight grained, with a pleasant spicy odor (it reminds us of ginger). Plywood is most commonly found as a 4 x 8' panel that is made from thin sheets of wood veneer that are bonded together using phenol formaldehyde glues, although certain manufacturers are leading the way with formaldehyde-free plywood products.