Edged Timber: What Is It? What Is The Difference From Unedged Timber? Lumber Advantages, Characteristics

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

Wood is in great demand in construction. At the same time, lumber can be different - someone builds houses from logs, while others prefer to use edged timber. The choice depends on the specifics of a particular project and budget. It is worth learning more about the features of the bar in order to understand whether it is suitable for your purposes.

What it is?

The material is a log processed from four sides. The bark is removed from it and a product with a square or rectangular section is obtained. Only solid logs are used as blanks. The beam, which is made from individual planks, is called glued, this is another type of lumber.

Most often, pine or spruce is used for production, these tree species are inexpensive, easy to process and have good operational properties. Larch edged timber is less common, since it is more expensive. Ash or aspen products are usually made to order.

The timber is obtained using circular saws, by longitudinal cutting. The workpiece is given the required dimensions, which should not be less than 100 mm in width or height.

Products are also treated with antiseptic and insect repellent . Usually the timber is not dried in the chambers, which means that it maintains its natural moisture level.

The material is popular in industrial and construction sectors due to its advantages:

• environmental safety and natural origin;
• light weight compared to stone or brick - it is convenient to mount and transport;
• easy docking due to geometric shapes, the presence of planes and angles;
• good thermal insulation, breathable structure;
• durability due to treatment with antiseptic agents.

However, there are also disadvantages. The material requires special storage conditions, and if they are violated, the wood can lose its quality . It is also imperative to carry out treatment with a protective compound to prevent rotting. It is also recommended to use a fireproofing impregnation, since wood has a high tendency to burn.

What are they?

Products are divided into groups, depending on their characteristics. There are several classifications that will help you choose the right option. The processing type can be as follows:

On both sides . Such a bar is called a gun carriage.

On three sides . On one of the planes, a strip of wane remains, an edge;

On four sides . A popular option, in demand in construction.

The length of the timber can vary within 1-5 meters, for conifers it is allowed up to 6 meters. Other parameters are possible with individual production to order.

Most often, products of 3 meters are purchased, they are suitable for various jobs and purposes. The width and thickness should exceed 100 mm, the maximum parameters are not standardized, but if they are less than the lower bar, then these are already other types of lumber - a bar or a board.

There is also a classification by wood type:

• Selected . The products are free from flaws, cracks, resin pockets and other defects of natural or artificial origin. Such a bar is used for the installation of structures designed for high loads, or for decorative purposes.
• First . Small knots are allowed, minimal chips, cuts are possible within the norms established by the standards. There should be no rot, fungi and other lesions of wood that contribute to rapid destruction.
• Second . For this grade, the requirement is lower, the damage may be greater. It is used for household needs, where resistance to stress and aesthetic qualities are not important.
• Third and fourth . Wood has many defects. It is usually used for auxiliary work, for example, when installing formwork for pouring concrete. These varieties are the cheapest.

In any case, the production of lumber is regulated by GOST. At the same time, there are several standards, therefore, when buying, it is better to find out which of them the products are labeled with in order to compare the parameters.

What is the difference between edged timber and unedged timber?

There are different types of material processing. Unedged on one or several sides has a strip of wane, a small edge, this is what makes it different. The advantages of such a bar are a lower price in comparison with edged ones, and the possibility of further processing . If you have the right tools, you can purchase unedged lumber and then remove the bark from it.

When choosing such products, first of all, you need to look at the condition of the wood . There should be no rot, fungi, knots. It is also worth paying attention to the thickness of the wane, sometimes it can be within the normal range on the one hand, but on the other it is no longer. There should be no remnants of bark on the edge, since it tends to accumulate moisture, which negatively affects the quality of the wood. If you do not want to waste time on processing, then you can purchase edged timber. Its edges are sawn off from four sides, so no additional action is required with it.

Criterias of choice

When buying edged lumber, you need to look at the accuracy of the cuts. The beam must have the correct geometric shape - rectangular or square . Curvature or warping is not allowed - all this is a consequence of violations of production technology. Such defects are visible to the naked eye, so it is best to thoroughly examine the batch of goods to make sure that it is in order. You can take a square and a tape measure to check the quality of the cuts.

Humidity is an equally important aspect. Optimal indicators are in the range of 18-22%.

A timber that is too dry will deform and measure its geometry . If the humidity is exceeded, this provokes rotting if stored improperly, and the products will also be heavier, respectively, it is more difficult to transport them.

As for the breed, it all depends on the goals and budget . In most cases, available pine is used, it is suitable for the construction of houses, baths, garages and other objects on the site. If funds allow, then you can pay attention to more expensive tree species or selectively use them for decoration and decoration.

Application methods

The timber is a fairly popular material that is actively used in various fields:

selective is used during roofing work, for the installation of supporting structures, when laying logs for the floor

first-class products are in demand in agriculture, industrial car building, shipbuilding

the second grade is actively used in civil and private construction

Outbuildings are erected from this material, with its help, hollow walls are strengthened, and a crate is made. The timber is used in the manufacture of windows, doors, fences, stairs . It is also in demand in the furniture industry. Correctly selected material does its job well and will serve for a long time.