Question 1

1. What is timber?

Accepted Answer

Timber refers to wood that’s been processed into beams, planks, or boards for construction, carpentry, joinery, and related uses.

Question 2

2. What is lumber?

Accepted Answer

Lumber is the North American term for what’s known in the UK as timber. Both refer to processed wood, but the term "lumber" is rarely used in UK trade except for imported goods or technical specs. Canadian Lumber Standard (CLS) timber, for example, is widely used in UK framing.

Question 3

3. What’s the difference between hardwood and softwood?

Accepted Answer

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees like oak or beech, which grow slowly and produce dense, strong wood. Softwood comes from conifers like pine or spruce, which grow faster and are generally lighter and easier to cut. The term refers to the species, not actual wood hardness. In construction, softwood is commonly used for structural work, while hardwood is reserved for finishing and high-load applications.

Types of hardwood used in UK construction:

Typical hardwoods for building projects include:

Oak
Ash
Beech
Sapele

Types of softwood used in UK construction:

Softwoods commonly used for UK building projects include pine, spruce, and fir. These are widely used for framing, internal partitions, and general-purpose timber supplies.

Question 4

4. What’s the difference between a carpenter and a joiner?

Accepted Answer

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are different roles. A carpenter usually works on-site and deals with structural elements like floor joists, roof trusses, or timber frames. A joiner typically works off-site in a workshop, producing precision-made components such as staircases, doors, and fitted furniture. While both work with wood, their tools, environments, and focus areas are different. Some tradespeople do both.

Question 5

5. What is timber frame construction?

Accepted Answer

Timber frame construction uses a skeleton of load-bearing wooden studs and beams to support a building’s structure. Prefabricated panels are often assembled off-site, allowing for quick installation on-site. This method is commonly used in residential housing in the UK (although the external leaf is often still made of masonry) due to its efficiency, consistency, and lower environmental impact.

Compare timber supplies and prices

Cheshire Decorative Profile Dado Rail Moulding Pine 20x41x2400mm

Finsa Oak Veneered MDF Sheet Crown Cut - 19mm x 2440mm x 1220mm

47mm x 125mm x 3.0m Treated C24 Regularised Kiln Dried Sawn Timber (5 x 2)

47x200mm C24 Regularised Treated Timber KD 4.2m

36mm x 225mm x 3.9m Scaffold Board

18mm x 68mm Ogee White Primed MDF Architrave 4.40m

Cheshire Mouldings MDF Shaker Wall panelling kit (H)2400mm (W)63mm (T)9mm

25x50mm Sawn Treated Type A Batten 4.8m

Treated Rough Sawn Treated Stick timber (L)1.8m (W)50mm (T)22mm

OSB Tongue & groove Wood Board (L)2.4m (W)0.6m (T)18mm

Natural Pine Astragal Moulding (L)2.4m (W)34mm (T)12mm

Pine Staff bead Moulding (L)2.4m (W)20mm (T)15mm

Pine Glass bead Moulding (L)2.4m (W)15mm (T)9mm

White Oak Quadrant Moulding (L)2.4m (W)12mm (T)12mm

EGGER P5 Chipboard Flooring Peel Clean Xtra Moisture Resistant TG4 FSC 2400 x 600 x 22mm

Q Mark Plywood Hardwood EN636-3S Class 2 FSC 2440x1220x3.6mm

47x175mm C24 Regularised Treated Timber KD 5.4m

12mm Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440mm x 1220mm (8' x 4')

18mm P5 MR T&G Chipboard Flooring 2400x600x18mm

Treated Feather Edge Board Brown 22 x 125 x 1800mm

Treated Feather Edge Board Green 22 x 125 x 1800mm

13mm Oak Veneer MDF Board 1220x2440mm

15mm Moisture Resistant MDF Board 1220x2440mm

47x125mm Sawn & Treated Timber C24 Grade 6mtr Length Only

47x225mm C24 Sawn Treated Timber 7.2m

Timber Treated 150 x 22mm (6" x 1") FSC®

47mm x 100mm Structural Graded C24 Treated Carcassing Timber 5400mm (4'' x 2'')

75mm x 200mm Structural Graded C24 Treated Carcassing Timber 4800mm (8'' x 3'')

CLS Timber PEFC 38 x 89 x 2400mm

18mm x 2440mm x 1220mm Softwood Shuttering Plywood

Bsw Home Grown C16 Cls 50 x 100mm x 3.0m

Hardwood Throughout Plywood 2440mm x 1220mm x 3.6mm | 2.98m2

47mm x 250mm Sawn Treated Timber C24 (10" x 2") 6m

MDF Board 2440x1220x18mm - Pack of 50

75mm x 175mm Sawn Treated Timber C24 (7" x 3") 4.8m

47x100mm C24 Regularised Treated Timber KD 3.6m

47x125mm C24 Regularised Treated Timber KD 3.6m

25mm x 50mm x 3m Treated Batten

Resilient Bar 3000mm