TYPES OF WOODS, WHERE TO USE?
WHEN TO USE? | BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION
Learn about: Types of Woods used in construction
Table of Contents [hide]
1 Wood:
2 Types of Woods used in Construction:
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2.0.1 1. Teak Wood:
2.0.2 2. Sal wood:
2.0.3 3. Ply wood:
2.0.4 4. Nova-Pan wood/ Medium-density Fiber-board (MDF):
2.0.5 5. Rubber wood:
WOOD:
Wood is a hard and fibrous material which is formed from Wooden trunk and stems.
After extracting wood from trees the wood logs are subjected to Seasoning. (Types
of Woods used in construction)
Seasoning is a process of letting water out of wooden logs up to an optimal level. In
normal dry warm weather, it is suggested that seasoning for about one month is
recommended.
TYPES OF WOODS USED IN CONSTRUCTION:
The Below woods Types of Woods used in construction generally,
1. TEAK WOOD:
The wood which is extracted from broad-leaved deciduous trees¨Tectona
Grandis¨ ¨teak¨ is called Teak Wood. Teak is a Hardwood and has rich oil content
with high tensile strength when compared with the other types of wood. It is very
durable and it can last long for 100 years. As mentioned every wood
requires Seasoning. Wood in construction is used only after proper Seasoning.
Where to use?
As it is capable of resisting all type of climatic conditions. It is highly durable and
resists the moisture content during rains. This type of wood is Majorly used in
Outside doors which are prone to atmospheric climatic conditions and Furniture in
Lawns, Gardens etc.,
The cost of teak wood is much higher when compared with the other types of woods.
The Density of teak Wood = 700 to 850 Kg/Cu.M
A good teak has more density. More denser more the Strength.
Colour: Yellow to Dark brown colour
Advantages:
1. Natural resistance to termites and insects: As mentioned Teak has a Natural Oil
content in it, It resists the damage of wood by termites and other fungal insects.
2. Density: The density is much higher in teak which resists the Rot and decay of
wood.
3. Moisture resistant
4. Can be easily hand carved
5. Heat moderation: this kind of wood won’t become too hot in summers and too
hot in winters.
6. No need of painting. Self Finished material and softy
material.
7. Less maintenance and requires less polishing.
8. Teak wood is easy to handle, polish and work with so a lot of carved designs
are made using this.
Disadvantages:
1. The major disadvantage is it very expensive.
2. Limited unavailability
3. Hard to find good quality of wood.
4. Woodworking Tools get blunted: As the wood itself is very strong it often
makes wooden tools to blunt and it requires frequent sharpening of tools.
2. SAL WOOD:
The wood which is originated from Sal Tree is called Sal wood. It is less expensive
when compared with the Teak. Sal Trees are Straight & cylindrical in the shape they
can grow up longer heights. So we can extract good wood with longer lengths.
Where to use?
Sal wood is used for Inside doors and windows frames, Tool handles, etc.
It is not much hard when compared with the Teak wood and requires termite
control. they are 30-40% heavier than teak but its 2
0% less hard than teak.
Density of Sal wood = 800 to 900 Kg/Cu.M
Advantages:
1. They can be easily available in longer lengths.
2. They are moisture resistant.
3. Polishing not required but Painting is required.
4. Less expensive when compared with Teak wood.
5. Easily available.
Disadvantages:
1. It requires termite control.
2. Direct sunlight is avoided on Sal wood as this may lead to form Cracks in
Wood.
3. Sal wood Surface has small cracks and these are filled by Paint.
4. Finishing requires paint.
3. PLY WOOD:
It is a Strong thin board of wood and made up of three or more layers of wood and
these layers are glued on top of one another with alternating grains. As it is an
engineered Wood by the perpendicular graining, it is more hard wearing and long-
lasting than normal wood.
Image Credits: Google
Where to use?
The only wood which we can increase the Strength is Plywood. But how? well,
Plywood not only has the strength of the wood that it’s made of, but it’s modified to
make it even longer lasting. When you place two or more lengths of board on top of
one another with alternating grains, it prevents the wood from being able to snap
with any ease. The more layers of wood used, the stronger the plywood.
This type of wood is used in partitions, cardboards, furniture etc
There are different types of Plywood based on the strength of the material used.
Softwood Plywood, Hardwood Plywood, Aircraft Plywood, Decorative Plywood,
Flexible Plywood, Marine Plywood
Density of Ply wood = 500 to 650 Kg/Cu.M
Advantages:
1. Insulation Material: Plywood has a property of Insulation, As it acts as an
insulation for rains, high humidity etc. It also possesses a good Thermal and
Sound Insulation property.
2. Strength: Plywood can easily bear heavy objects. As mentioned, it is glued on
top of one another with alternating grains. Due to this nature, It transfers the
load easier to all area of Plywood
3. Flexibility: As it’s an engineered product it can be modified to any desired
shape as per client requirement. It can be easily modified to take on any piece
of construction
Disadvantages:
1. It is found that plywood emits Volatile Organic Compound.
2. Plywood becomes heavy in contact with water and it should be covered when
left outside to avoid the risk of absorption.
4. NOVA-PAN WOOD/ MEDIUM-DENSITY FIBER-BOARD (MDF):
Nova-Pan Particle Boards are one of the best substitutes for plywood and other types
of wood which we generally used for construction this wood is made up of residuals
(wastage) generated from Hardwood or Softwood & mixed with binders (Wax or
Resins) under High temperature and pressure to form wooden fibres. this is the
cheapest wood which is available in the market. It’s an eco-friendly product and uses
less energy for making boards. These are usually made in panels and can be cut off
in any desired shape.
The density of Nova-Pan Wood = 500 to 1000 Kg/Cu.M
More Denser more the strength and these are available in three types light, standard
and high density.
Where to use?
Nova-pan wood is labelled with two colours, if it is labelled with green colour then
it is a moisture resistant and if it is red then it’s a fire retardant. This type of wood
is used in making furniture which makes cheap and less expensive. (Types of Woods
used in construction)
Advantages:
1. Very Cheap when compared with other natural woods.
2. It doesn’t have any grains, It’s an isotropic wood (properties are same in all
directions)
3. It won’t contracts or expands according to atmospheric conditions.
4. Finishing is great when compared with Plywood.
Disadvantages:
1. Light grade Nova-pan may swells when in contact with water.
2. It may shrink in low atmospheric conditions.
5. RUBBER WOOD:
This type of wood is not recommended for construction purposes. This type of wood
is used in furniture. It has very less strength when compared with other woods.
Density of Rubber wood = 450-600 Kg/Cu.M
Advantages:
1. It very cheap wood when compared with other woods.
2. Easily available.
3. Less density suitable for light furniture.
4. It’s an Eco-friendly product.
5. Wraps less.
Disadvantages:
1. Harmful to health according to research studies rubber wood is most harmful
wood which may cause severe allergies.
2. Easily prone to fungus when in contact with water. (Types of Woods used in
construction)
