What is the most important aspect of timber used in timber framing?
Stability is the most important quality when it comes to timber framing and producing beautiful, trouble free timber trusses. There is one specification that will give you the best assurance of stability, and that specification is FOHC.
Click on the link below for an in-depth description of why this is the one characteristic you should be aware of when making your purchase decision.
Is a 19% moisture content in timbers important?
Moisture content has never been a part of the grade rules or design values of heavy timbers (those above 4” thick).
Click on this link for the real story behind this misunderstood and unnecessary requirement that has found it’s way into many project plans.
The best choice of wood species depends on the priorities of your project - strength, color, visible grain, durability, etc.
The best choice of wood species depends on the priorities of your project - strength, color, visible grain, durability, etc.
The link below will take you to a page that dives into the specific benefits of several different species.
Why are some lumber grades a number and others are a letter? What’s the difference?
Lumber grades can be very confusing, but the short answer to this question is that “number” grades are based on strength values, and “letter” grade are based on appearance. Descending numbers and letters (closest to 1 & A) indicate a stronger or clearer grade. Click below to go deeper into understanding the world of lumber grades.
Why do lumber companies clear cut forests instead of doing selective cutting?
No one likes the way a clear cut forest looks, but there are actually some good ecological reasons for clear cutting. For example, a stand of Douglas Fir seeds could not germinate without the full sun exposure on the seeds. Undesirable species would then dominate and overshadow this important species of tree, causing permanent degradation of the area, and a change to the fauna dependent on Douglas Fir stands. In some cases, forest fires are nature’s way of “clear cutting” an area. For more info, click below.
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Should I be concerned about bug infestations in reclaimed lumber & timbers?
Yes. Reclaimed lumber has been in use for many years (if not many decades), and the potential for bug infestation is a real concern. In fact, some species of “borers” can lay eggs in wood that can hatch and emerge up to 30 years after they were laid. Know what to look for in your supplier by clicking this link:
