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

Incised Fence Post. Brown 75 X 75 X 1800mm

Green Treated Featheredge Board 22 X 150 X 1650mm

47x100 Homegrown Untreated Carcassing Timber 3m

47x75 Homegrown Untreated Carcassing Timber 3m

Domed Ledged & Braced Path Gate

Solid Infall Path Gate

Elite Meloir Gate

Treated Feather Edge Board Brown 22 X 100 X 1800mm

Caberwood Trade MDF Board 2440 X 1220 X 12mm

25x125(21x119)mm Redwood PTG Flooring (per M)

Qmark Plywood 2440 X 1220 X 5.5mm

OSB3 2400 X 1200 X 15mm

22mm X 150mm Softwood PAR Square Edge Flooring (6'' X 1'')

19mm X 125mm Planed Softwood PAR Timber (5'' X 0.75'') Finish 14.5mm X 119mm

32mm X 200mm Planed Softwood PAR Timber (8'' X 1.25'') Finish 27mm X 194mm

19mm X 25mm Planed Softwood PAR Timber (1'' X 0.75'') Finish 14.5mm X 20.5mm

20.5x44mm Planed All Round Softwood Timber

32mm X 50mm Planed Softwood PAR Timber (2'' X 1.25'') Finish 27mm X 44mm

Phenolic Film Faced Shuttering Grade Plywood 2440x1220x18mm

24mm Softwood Plywood C+/C Grade 2440mm X 1220mm (8' X 4')

25mm Moisture Resistant MDF Board 2440mm X 1220mm (8' X 4') Pack Of 35

18mm Moisture Resistant MDF Board 3050mm X 1220mm (10' X 4') Pack Of 40

6mm Moisture Resistant MDF Board 2440mm X 1220mm (8' X 4') Pack Of 96

18mm White Melamine Faced MDF Board 2440mm X 1220mm (8' X 4') Pack Of 40

15mm Hardwood External Grade Plywood B/BB 2440mm X 1220mm (8' X 4') Pack Of 60

12mm Softwood Plywood C+/C Grade 2440mm X 1220mm (8' X 4') Pack Of 75

18mm Softwood Plywood C+/C Grade 2440mm X 1220mm (8' X 4') Pack Of 50

18mm Phenolic Film Faced Shuttering Grade Plywood 2440mm X 1220mm (8' X 4') Pack Of 50

75mm X 150mm Planed Softwood PAR Timber (6'' X 3'') Finish 69mm X 144mm

Matchboard 6mm Panel Plus Moisture Resistant MDF Board 811mm X 600mm

5.5mm Hardwood External Grade Plywood B/BB 2440mm X 1220mm (8' X 4')

6mm X 95mm Primacell Upvc Pencil Round Architrave Trim 5000mm White

Treated Feather Edge Board Green 22 X 150 X 1800mm

Hardwood Plywood Handy Panel FSC 1830 X 610 X 9mm

Hardwood Plywood Handy Panel FSC 1830 X 610 X 12mm

Hardwood Plywood Handy Panel FSC 1830 X 610 X 18mm

Allen Concrete Gravel Board 1830 X 150 X 50mm Grey

ESSGEE FD30 Fire Door Blank FSC 2135 X 915 X 44mm

MDF Handy Panel FSC 1220 X 610 X 18mm

Eucalyptus Hardwood Plywood FSC 2440 X 1220 X 12mm