Natural & Manufactured Timber
GCSE — 2.1.2 In-depth Knowledge: Product Design
Hardwoods
Hardwood — timber from trees that lose their leaves in autumn (deciduous). Hardwood trees are slow-growing, so less is available, making it more expensive.
| Timber | Colour/Grain | Properties | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak | Moderate brown, close straight grain | Tough, durable, polishes well | High quality furniture, doors, skirting, staircases |
| Beech | Pink-tinted, closely grained | Very tough, durable, smooth finish | Hard-wearing products, workbenches |
| Mahogany | Dark red/brown, very close grain | Cuts and polishes easily, deep finish | Furniture, cabinet making |
| Balsa | Pale, widely spaced grain | Fast-growing hardwood, soft and very lightweight | Modelling |
| Jelutong | Pale, fine grain | Easy to work, lightweight | Modelling, pattern making |
Softwoods
Softwood — timber from evergreen coniferous trees (bearing pinecones and needles). Softwood trees grow quicker and in more locations, so they are readily available and less expensive.
| Timber | Colour/Grain | Properties | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine (Scots) | Pale yellow, darker brown grain | Lightweight, easy to work | Construction, furniture |
| Cedar (Western Red) | Lightweight, pale, even texture | More expensive than pine, good for outdoors | Fencing, decking, sheds |
| Larch | Darker shade, brown grain | Water resistant, durable, more expensive | Exterior cladding, boats |
| Parana pine | Pale, fine grain, almost knot-free | Hard for a softwood, smooth finish | Interior joinery, stairs |
Natural timber availability
Hardwoods and softwoods are available in a variety of forms:
- Plank, board, strip, square and dowel
- Natural timbers need to be cut at the sawmill and seasoned (kiln dried or air dried) before use to remove moisture and prevent shrinkage
- Many are planed and cut to standard sizes ready for sale
Manufactured boards
Manufactured boards — man-made boards made from wood fibres (usually recycled wooden materials), bonded with resins to form sheets.
| Board | How it’s made | Properties | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDF | Small fibres mixed with wax and resin, heated and compressed | No grain, easy to work, very porous | Interior DIY furniture |
| Chipboard | Small ‘chips’ of timber bonded together | Dense sheet, can look unattractive | Kitchen worktops (with veneer) |
| Plywood | Layers of wood bonded at 90° to each other | Strong, rigid, can have quality face veneer | Furniture, construction |
| Hardboard | Compressed wood fibres, one smooth face | Thin, hard, smooth one side | Back panels, drawer bases |
Standard sheet size: 2440mm × 1220mm (or half: 1220mm × 610mm)
Finishes for hardwoods and softwoods
Surface finishes can be aesthetic and functional:
- Polyurethane varnish — hard-wearing sealing finish for high-traffic areas (floors); oil or water based; matt, semigloss or high gloss
- Waxes and oils — enhance the natural grain
- Stains and varnishes — add colour or change colour to match colour schemes
- Preservatives — protection for long-lasting outdoor use
Finishes for manufactured boards
- Plywood — natural grain on face veneers; spray-on lacquer or paint-on varnish
- MDF — can be stained or painted; seal exposed edges first as MDF is very porous
- Chipboard — normally finished with a veneer; kitchen worktops use a melamine layer for heat, scratch and water resistance