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

50mm X 150mm Planed Softwood PAR Timber (6'' X 2'') Finish 44mm X 144mm

27x169mm Planed All Round Softwood Timber

27x219mm Planed All Round Softwood Timber

18mm Softwood Tongue & Groove Plywood Flooring 2400mm X 600mm (8' X 2')

Hardwood External Grade Plywood B/BB 2440x1220x15mm

33x219mm Planed All Round Softwood Timber

2.4m Sleeper Brown UC4 100mm x 200mm

15mm X 152mm X 2440mm White Melamine Shelving

15mm X 610mm X 2440mm White Melamine Shelving

Cheshire D Shape Moulding Light Hardwood 6x34x2400mm

Cheshire Decorative Profile Broken Ogee Moulding Pine 8x15x2400mm

Cheshire Decorative Profile Double Astragal Moulding Pine 12x34x2400mm

9mm Marine Plywood FSC 2440 X 1220 (8x4)

Cheshire Scotia Primed White 15x15x2400mm

Chipboard Loft Panels - 18mm Loft Boards - T&G 1220mm x 320mm - Pack of 3

Cheshire Decorative Profile Dado Rail Moulding Pine 20x41x2400mm

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

47mm x 125mm C24 Timber (5x2) 3m

47mm x 150mm C24 Timber (6x2) 5.4m

13ft Banded Scaffold Board 36mm x 225mm

18mm x 68mm Pencil Round 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

11mm OSB 3 Board 2440mm x 1220mm (Pack of 82)

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

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

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

47mm x 75mm C24 Timber (3x2) 2.4m

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

9mm OSB 3 Board 2397mm x 1197mm

22mm x 125mm Brown Treated Feather Edge Board 1.8m

22mm x 125mm Green Treated Feather Edge Board 1.8m

22mm Moisture Resistant MDF Board 2440mm x 1220mm

15mm Moisture Resistant MDF Board 2440mm x 1220mm

47mm x 125mm C24 Timber (5x2) 6m

47mm x 225mm C24 Timber (9x2) 7.2m