What should you know about structural timber? Construction timber, used to build a house, is becoming more and more popular. Modern technologies make it not only extremely durable, but also safe to use, provided that it has undergone precise processing. Let’s take a look at the most important information regarding this material.
What is construction timber?
It is one of the materials that are often used to build houses and other objects. Compared to other raw materials, they are distinguished by a very large number of advantages. One of them is that it is light and durable, which definitely makes most of the construction work easier. When properly impregnated, it is extremely resistant to various conditions. In addition, it is valued for its high load resistance.
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There are many types of construction timber on the market, so you can certainly find something that meets our requirements. Each type of wood has different technological parameters, so it should be adapted to the type of building.
Wood must undergo a complex treatment process aimed at comprehensive protection against the adverse effects of environmental factors. Good quality of wood largely ensures the safety of the building. The most important thing is that the material is protected against fire, moisture, mold, insects and fungi. Only properly impregnated wood will work as a construction material.
Proper wood preparation
In order for wood to be used for construction purposes, it must undergo a multi-stage preparation process. Much depends on the condition in which the material was purchased. The following stages of construction timber preparation can be distinguished:
- Quality check,
- Impregnation,
- Storage.
Checking the quality of wood is not easy when we do not have the appropriate equipment or specialist knowledge. It is difficult to assess the degree of moisture in the wood on your own, but you should be able to spot defects such as cracks or knots without any problems. It is also worth checking if there is a dimensional compliance of the construction beams and the house design. It is worth bearing in mind that even slight deviations from the recommendations issued by the constructor are not allowed.
Impregnation is a key stage as it protects the material against harmful factors. Each element should be secured with special preparations. This is the only way to prevent biological corrosion and pests. Importantly, the impregnated wood takes on a different color – usually there is an orange or green shade. There is also already impregnated construction timber available on the market, but its price is much higher than the costs of carrying out this treatment on its own.
Impregnation can be carried out in two ways. One of them is the spray method. The advantage is that the application is fast and runs smoothly. The second method is the dip method which is quite complex. A hole should be dug in the ground that will match the length of the longest beam. After lining it with foil, the bottom is filled with impregnation, and then the wooden elements are immersed, ensuring adequate protection against emerging. Wood prepared in this way should be immersed in the impregnation for at least several days. After removal, it requires drying, which can take up to a week. This is quite a problematic stage, especially at home.
Storing wood is a process that requires a lot of commitment. If it keeps our material in the open, we need to secure it properly. The best option for this is a vapor-permeable foil that provides excellent thermal insulation. It is also a good idea to store construction timber under a roof – it is important that it is not exposed to UV rays, rainfall and other harmful conditions. The wood should be arranged in layers, however, between the layers there should be spacers ensuring proper air flow. It is worth remembering that these elements cannot be placed on a substrate that is wet.
The price of wood
The price depends largely on the type of wood and its parameters, class, strength and other factors. Prices are also influenced by the market, therefore they may be different in different areas of Poland. It will be much cheaper to buy wood in a sawmill than in a warehouse or from an importer. It is important whether the material is to be impregnated or not – many people decide to use a cheaper solution and undertake impregnation on their own.
Buying 1m3 of medium-quality wood, we will pay about PLN 1000, while in a sawmill it will cost PLN 950. The price of impregnated wood will increase to about PLN 1050 per m3. Before starting the purchase, it is good to check the offer of online wholesalers and construction stores as well as current promotions. However, before the final purchase, we should check the certificates that will confirm the quality. It is important to find out the cost of transportation and unloading. When deciding to buy online, make sure that the store does not add costs due to distance to avoid unpleasant surprises.