2.3 Timber - Basic Material-I PDF

2.3 TIMBER Basic Material- I Semester I, B.Voc Interior Design Module 2.3.3  Timber Timber is an essential material in interior design, offering natural beauty, warmth, and versatility. It refers to...

2.3 TIMBER Basic Material- I Semester I, B.Voc Interior Design Module 2.3.3  Timber Timber is an essential material in interior design, offering natural beauty, warmth, and versatility. It refers to wood that has been processed into beams, planks, or boards for use in construction and design projects. Types of Timber: Timber is available in various species, each with unique characteristics that impact its appearance, strength, durability, and suitability for different applications. Some commonly used timber species in interior design include oak, maple, pine, cherry, walnut, teak, and mahogany. It's important to understand the properties and characteristics of different timber species to select the most suitable one for specific design requirements. Solid Timber: Solid timber refers to wood that has been cut directly from a tree trunk and retains its original form. It is often used for structural elements, furniture, flooring, and decorative features in interior design. Solid timber exhibits natural beauty, distinctive grain patterns, and textures that add warmth and character to interior spaces. It can be finished with stains, varnishes, or oils to enhance its appearance and protect it from wear and tear. Timber Grades: Timber is classified into different grades based on its quality, appearance, and structural properties. These grades help categorize timber for various uses and provide guidance on its suitability for specific applications. Common grading systems include Select Grade, Standard Grade, Feature Grade, and Structural Grade. Each grade has its own set of criteria regarding knot size, color variation, surface defects, and structural soundness. Applications in Interior Design: Timber finds numerous applications in interior design. Some common uses include: Structural Elements: Timber is used for load-bearing elements such as beams, columns, and joists. It provides strength, stability, and a natural aesthetic to the structural framework of buildings. Flooring: Timber flooring offers warmth, durability, and a timeless appeal. It comes in various forms, including solid timber planks, engineered wood flooring, and laminated timber flooring. Timber floors can be finished in different styles, such as polished, stained, or textured, to suit different design preferences. Furniture: Timber is a popular choice for crafting furniture pieces such as tables, chairs, cabinets, shelves, and bed frames. It offers versatility in design styles, from rustic to contemporary, and can be customized to match specific design concepts. Cabinetry and Joinery: Timber is commonly used for cabinetry and joinery, including kitchen cabinets, built-in wardrobes, shelving units, and interior doors. It provides durability, functionality, and a natural aesthetic to these elements. Decorative Features: Timber is used to create decorative features such as wall paneling, wainscoting, ceiling treatments, and trim moldings. These elements add visual interest, texture, and warmth to interior spaces.  Sustainability and Maintenance: Timber can be a sustainable material choice if sourced responsibly from well- managed forests or from certified suppliers. Look for timber products with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification or other recognized sustainability certifications. Additionally, proper maintenance of timber is essential to ensure its longevity and performance. Regular cleaning, protection against moisture, and periodic refinishing or resealing can help maintain the beauty and durability of timber surfaces. Characteristics of Good Timber It should have a uniform colour. A freshly cut surface should give a sweet smell. It should have regular annular rings. It should be sonorous when struck. It should have straight and close fibres. It should be heavy in weight. It should be free from shakes, flaws, dead knots or blemishes of any kind. There should be firm adhesion of fibres and compact medullary rays. The cellular tissue of the medullary rays should be hard and compact. When planed, its surface should present a firm bright appearance with a silky lustre. Its fibrous tissues should adhere firmly together and should not clog the teeth of the saw and the freshly-cut surface should not show wooliness. A good timber should be durable. It should be capable of resisting the actions of fungi insects, chemicals, physical agencies and mechanical agencies. A good timber should possess the property of elasticity. The timber is elastic when it regains its original shape and size when the load is removed. This property of timber would be essential when it is to be used for bows, sports goods, carriage shafts etc. It should be fire-resistant. Wood having dense texture offers great resistance to fire. It should not contain resins and other inflammable oils which accelerate the action of fire. A good timber should be hard (i.e., it should offer resistance when it is being penetrated by another body). The chemicals present in hard wood and density of wood impart hardness to the timber. A good timber should be strong for working as structural member such as joint, beam, rafter, etc. It should be capable of taking loads slowly or suddenly. Advantages Of Timber Over Other Materials: It is stronger than other materials of construction in use. It can be easily worked to any size and shape. It can be joined to the required form easily. Structural connections can be easily made in timberwork. It can be used for furniture and other decorative fittings. Timber construction is economical as the wastage is minimum. It is quite durable. Its re-sale value is good It is a non-conductor of heat and sound. Disadvantages The greatest disadvantage is its ready combustibility, which can be diminished but not eliminated even by expensive treatment. Frame buildings built closely together present a serious conflagration hazard. Timber is destroyed by decay induced by fungi, and by insects that feed upon the timber under favourable conditions. Decay may, however, be prevented by the various methods that produce an environment unfavourable for the growth of the causative organisms. Timber swells and undergoes shrinkage with changing atmospheric humidity.