Assignment 2

Timber Uses


Apart from framing other uses for timber are weatherboards, exterior trims, battens, facings and corner boards, interior finishing trims, window and door frames, flooring etc.


Timber Species 


Timber framing species were once native timbers such as rimu. However, the majority of framing currently used is radiata pine, and a small but significant proportion of Douglas fir is used and some macrocarpa.


A number of other species may be used for interior finishing timbers and flooring, such as radiata pine, rimu, Fijian kauri, oak, eucalypt species, while imported timbers such as kwila and balau together with radiata pine and macrocarpa may be used externally.


Timber Drying/Treatment Method


Traditionally, timber framing was used wet and allowed to dry in place after erection and before the internal linings were installed. Where drier timber was required, it was stacked outside in a way that allowed air to circulate around it and remove the moisture.

For timber-framed buildings, significant portions of the timber used must be treated to protect against damage by wood boring insects or from moisture. The level of treatment required varies with the level of risk of moisture damage to the timber and the location of the timber within the building framing.