Wood is a natural, renewable building material that is strong, light and easy to work. Because it is a natural product, every piece behaves a little differently. Below is an overview of miscellaneous terms you meet when working with wood.
Species of wood
- Softwood — such as spruce, pine, larch and Douglas fir; light and affordable, widely used in the structural carcass
- Hardwood — such as oak, beech and tropical species; stronger and more durable, for window frames and cladding
- Sheet material — plywood, OSB and MDF, built up from layers or fibres
When buying, look for a label such as FSC for responsible forestry.
Properties and behaviour
- The movement of wood — wood shrinks and swells with its moisture content; allow for this when fitting
- Heart side and sapwood — the position of the growth rings determines how a board will cup
- Durability class — indicates how well a species resists fungi and insects
Joints and working
- Wood joints — such as the mortise-and-tenon joint, halved joint and dovetail
- Sawn square and planed — the degree of surface working
Common defects
- Wood rot — from prolonged damp; prevent it with good detailing and ventilation
- Insects in wood — such as woodworm and longhorn beetle
- Knots and cracks — natural imperfections that can affect strength
Related terms
- Wood species
- The movement of wood
- Wood joints
- Wood rot
- Timber frame construction
- Hardwood
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.