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

GoodHome Fully finished White MDF Ogee Skirting board (L)2.4m (W)119mm (T)18mm

OSB 3 Loft panel (L)1.22m (W)0.3m (T)18mm , Pack of 3

Hardwood Faced Plywood 2440 X 1220 X 25mm

47mm x 225mm x 5.4m Treated C24 Regularised Kiln Dried Sawn Timber (9 x 2)

9mm OSB 3 Board 2397mm x 1197mm

Paraply Hardwood Plywood FSC 2440 x 1220 x 15mm

25mm Moisture Resistant MDF Board 1220x3050mm

Sawn Green Treated 100 x 22mm (4" x 1") FSC®

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

Sawn Treated Easi Edge 175 x 47mm (7" x 2") 6m Kiln Dried C24

47mm x 200mm Structural Graded C24 Treated Carcassing Timber 5400mm (8'' x 2'')

47mm x 125mm Structural Graded C24 Treated Carcassing Timber 5400mm (5'' x 2'')

47mm x 175mm Structural Graded C24 Treated Carcassing Timber 7200mm (7'' x 2'')

18mm x 144mm MDF White Primed Ogee Skirting Board 4400mm

18mm x 68mm MDF White Primed Chamfered Architrave 4400mm

18mm x 144mm MDF White Primed Chamfered Skirting Board 4400mm

18mm x 144mm MDF White Primed Pencil Round Skirting Board 4400mm

19mm x 100mm Softwood Chamfered & Pencil Round Reversible Skirting (Finish 14.5mm x 94mm)

41mm Richard Burbidge Treated Stop Chamfered Spindle 900mm LD248

47mm x 200mm x 4.8m Treated C16 Timber Carcassing

Egger Protect Grey Chipboard Flooring Sheet - 2400mm x 600mm x 22mm

Birch Plywood Throughout BB/BB 2440mm x 1220mm x 9mm

Birch Plywood Throughout BB/BB 2440mm x 1220mm x 15mm

CLS Timber FSC 38 x 63 x 2400mm

CLS Timber PEFC 38 x 89 x 3000mm

18mm x 1220mm x 2440mm Moisture Resistant MDF Board - Pack of 50

Q Mark Plywood Hardwood EN636-3 Class 3 PEFC 2440 x 1220 x 12mm

Q Mark Plywood Hardwood EN636-3 Class 3 PEFC 2440 x 1220 x 25mm

Kiln Dried C16 Regularised Treated Timber 47 x 200mm x 3.6m

Resilient Bar x 3m (Pack Of 10)

Pointed Timber Peg Sawn and Treated 47mm x 50mm x 600mm

47mm x 200mm x 3.0m Regularised Treated Sawn Timber C24

Bsw Home Grown C16 Cls 50 x 75mm x 3.0m

50mm x 100mm x 2.4m CLS C16 Home Grown

22mm x 100mm x 2.4m Green Treated Sawn Carcassing

22mm x 150mm x 3.6m Green Treated Sawn Carcassing

Wickes Treated Sawn Timber - 22 x 100 x 3000mm

Treated Green Arris Rail 75mm x 2.4m (3") FSC®

Richard Burbidge WOSCN1500HALF 90mm x 45mm x 1540mm x Oak Smooth Newel

47x75mm Sawn Timber C24 Grade - 4.8metre