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Uses n Properties

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Fire Resistance LevelFire Resistance Level (FRL) as defined in the BuildingCode of Australia (BCA) is the grading period inminutes for three criteria: structural adequacy,

integrity and insulation.

Insulation properties of woodTimber is a natural insulator. Air pockets within itscellular structure make timber a natural barrier toheat and cold.

Joint design and joint groupsFor the purpose of joint design, all species have beenclassified into six joint groups; J1 to J6 for theunseasoned condition and JD1 to JD6 for theseasoned condition.

Softwoods and HardwoodsThe terms "softwood" and "hardwood" do notindicate softness or hardness in particular timbers.

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The effects of temperature variationon timberStrength of timber is affected by

temperature. At below freezing

temperatures, strength values for bending

and compression, and for resistance to shock,

are slightly higher than for values at normal

temperatures.

Thermal Properties: Expansion andInsulationThermal expansion of wood is insignificant in

most cases.

Timber HardnessHardness refers to the difficulty in sawing,

planning, resistance to wear or abrasion and

the resistance to indentation.

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The definition of grainThe term grain refers to direction, size, arrangement,appearance, or quality of the fibres in wood.

Description of figureFigure refers to the pattern produced on the surfacesof timber resulting from: the nature of the grain, thearrangement and realtive dimensions of the cells andcolour variations. Major figures are: birds eye,fiddleback, ropey, ribbon, swirl, wavy and wild.

Description of wood textureTimber can be coarse, fine, even or uneven. Textureis dependent on the size and arrangement of thewood cells.

Definition and description of timber density As applied to timber, density is the mass of woodsubstance and moisture enclosed within a pieceexpressed in kg per cubic metre. Three maincategories of density - green, dry and basic

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Common Name UsesAlder Minor Utility Products, Plywood, Turnery

Ash Joinery, Flooring, Furniture, Panelling, Tool Handles, CraftsBeech Interior Joinery Furniture, Flooring, Musical Instruments

Birch General Purpose Timber, Plywood, Turnery, Furniture, Ply

wood

European Cherry Flooring, Furniture, Musical Instruments

Sweet Chestnut Joinery, Fencing, Furniture, Flooring, Exterior Joinery,

Minor Goods, Turnery, Utensils

Elm Joinery, Furniture, Flooring, Exterior Joinery

Hazel Woven Fencing/Hurdles

Holly Craft Work, Inlays

Hornbeam Minor Items, Musical Instruments

Lime Furniture, Flooring, TurneryOak Joinery, Fencing, Furniture, Flooring, Exterior Joinery

Poplar Interior Joinery, Turnery, Furniture, Plywood, Flooring

Sycamore Interior Joinery, Furniture, Flooring

Willow Cricket Bats, Basket Work, Toys, Woven Fencing

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Common Name UsesWestern Red Cedar Cladding

Cedar Exterior joinery, Interior joineryDouglas Fir Exterior Joinery, Interior joinery

Silver Fir Flooring, Structural products,

Western Hemlock Mouldings, Interior joinery,

Turnery

Larch General Purpose Timber,Cladding,

Scots Pine Heavy Structural, Exterior Joinery,

Spruce Exterior Joinery, Interior Joinery

Yew Interior Joinery, Veneer, Turne